Leonard Cohen's deep, almost bass, baritone is known to almost everyone. His songs are full of dark and melancholic agony. The early 70's albums were mostly acoustic and beautiful in their simplicity. in the 80's, like so many other artists, the sound world was filled with tacky electronic rhythms and keyboards. This is the only reason why I can't put this album higher on the list. The songs are really good, but the production is awful. It takes imagination to see the great songs behind these crappy sounds. I still can't deny the greatness of the compositions of these songs. Cohen's vocals manage also to add emotion to these songs and leave the defects in sounds into the background. Listen to the album on Spotify.
I don't really enjoy listening to heavy metal anymore. I used to adore Metallica growing up though, and I must say that if you're into this kind of music, Metallica really knows their stuff. Their pounding rhythm guitars are mechanically accurate and they can create gloomy but beautiful melodies as well. instruments are played skilfully, except Lars Ulrich's drumming, which is a bit fumbling from time to time. One is undoubtedly the best song on this album. It has great melodic intro and it ends with industrially pounding fast guitars. This song was one of my favourites growing up and learning to play guitar. Metallica might not be one of my favourites anymore, but I understand why so many people like their music. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Talk Talk's first albums were deep in the synth-pop tradition. Some of the songs were pretty good, but nothing phenomenal or really personal can be seen in those albums. Spirit of Eden takes another kind of route than the previous albums. The album consists of six fairly long tracks and they cannot be described as pop in the strict sense. This album has been an inspiration to post-rock bands later on. Music builds up from minimalist small sounds to high and mighty explosions. Mark Hollis' vocals sore high and clear above experimental instrumentation and dreamy melodies. If the band would've continued their experimentation in these same areas, I think Talk Talk could've gone to be a spectacular band. Listen to the album on Spotify.
The Waterboys played their indie rock throughout the 80's, but it wasn't until Fisherman's Blues they made their first great album. This album has folkier sounds than the ones before. The most noticeable feature is the violin soaring beautifully above the pop melodies. The first two songs are amazing. These two songs predict a phenomenal album. Unfortunately as the album goes on, it gets a bit bland and boring. We Will Not be Lovers is the best song on the album and had they made more songs like this, the album would be a lot higher on my list. The combination of dark indie rock of the 80's and authentic folk sounds works surpsrisingly well and I just wish there were more songs like the first two. Listen to the album on Spotify.
R.E.M. is one of the few bands that managed to make good albums throughout the 80's. Their guitar-driven pop songs have excellent melodies and Michael Stipe's original nasal singing voice is unmistakeable. Green does not include the best or the most well-known songs from the band, but it's still a great collection of pop songs. This album was their debut with Warner Brothers record company. The move to the major label changed their sound a bit to the dull direction, but they could not ruin the sound completely. I really don't have that much to say about this album. Everyone knows what R.E.M. sound like and if you like what they're doing, Green is a good album. Guaranteed R.E.M. Listen to the album on Spotify.
The Australian Go-Betweens has stayed unknown for most of the people I know. I found the band myself while making this blog. 16 Lovers Lane is a great album with guitar driven pop rock. It maintains clean sounds and does not fall into the usual traps of the 80's. At least not to same extent as some other bands. The opening song Love Goes On has been covered by The Posies. Acoustic guitars sound great and these songs could sound even better just played acoustic. The album cover is pretty awful, but don't be fooled. This is definitely an album worth listening. There are not many good artists coming from Australia, but The Go-Betweens have risen to be one of them at least in my opinion. Listen to the album on Spotify.
I only found this band while writing this blog. They also come from Australia. I don't usually know that many great bands or artists from Australia, but it seems that in the 80's there were couple of good ones. you can definitely hear the influence of the 80's sounds in their music, but these sounds are as good as they get, considering the era. Clean guitars and baritone vocals interpret beautifully the gloomy and sad melodies, The Church comes up with. I've only listened to the band quite little, but I have a sense that they are going to become one of my favourite 80's bands. They have a great sense of melody unlike many other bands from the 80's. These are proper pop rock songs that are catchy, but indie enough to be taken seriously. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Daydream Nation is one of the most critically acclaimed albums of all times. I think it's a perfect illustration of the alternative rock scene in the 80's as well. Great melodies are left on the background and focus is on experimentation and attitude. Few first times I listened to this album I simply didn't like it. I needed to adjust my mindset quite a bit in order to enjoy these noisy and out-of-tune songs. but when I got there, I can see why this album is so appreciated. The album cover is one of the most recognisable album covers ever. In all its simplicity it looks great. Don't worry if it takes you some time to really appreciate Sonic Youth. I think it's really common. Nevertheless, I suggest you give it a chance, since this is just brilliant music. Listen to the album on Spotify.
The Smiths had just broke up the previous year at the hight of their success. Morrissey didn't waste any time to move onto his solo career. his debut album is one of the greatest albums of his whole career. It has slightly different sound compared to other Morrissey albums, since Morrissey did not have the same band and songwriters behind him. The greatest moments in my opinion are Suedehead and Everyday is Like Sunday. The humour and politics of Morrissey are also there. The song Margaret on the Guillotine foresees the death of Margaret Tatcher as a beautiful dream. The mood is melancholic and grandiloquent. Even though this is not as good as the best Smiths albums it comes pretty damn close. Listen to the album on Spotify.
The Posies' debut album was originally published merely on a cassette. Then later it was published on CD and vinyl as well. That is really fortunate, since this is an absolutely brilliant album. At the time of generic buzzing alternative rock, The Posies came forward with amazing pop melodies. The sounds are also really authentic and there are no traces of tacky 80's coldness. The album is full of great songs, although Under Easy, I May Hate You Sometimes, Paint Me, Compliment? and What Little Remains are my favourites. The Posies early songs have influences from R.E.M. and Feelies, but you might say that The Posies were themselves a huge influence to the 90's power pop and college rock. Listen to some songs of the album on Youtube.
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