Cover Me Impressed: 'Johnny, Are You Queer?'

There has always been a debate about whose song this really is. Most give the credit to Josie Cotton, and I understand that. She released it as an indie single in 1981. It became a minor hit and helped get her signed to Elektra. The song really blew up in 1983 when Cotton performed the song during the prom scene of the film 'Valley Girl.' Quite a few in-the-know music fans, especially in the L.A. area, however, already knew this song well years before because it was a live staple of the then all-girl punk band the Go-Go's. Then there was the little-known studio version from the punk band Fear that popped up on bootlegs. So, whose song is it? Actually, it's the property of two songwriting brothers that had relationships with all three of these acts.

In the late '70s, the Paine brothers, Bobby and Larson, wrote the song and had begun working with and representing the Go-Go's. They gave the song to the band to use in their shows, and it became a showstopper. Unfortunately, the Paines and the Go-Go's had a falling out in 1980 when the band went against management wishes and toured England with Madness. The relationship was severed, and the band wasn't allowed to use the song.

A short time later, Cotton began dating Larson and got permission from him to use the song one time on a demo. Finally, the Paines just let her have it. When it appeared on her major-label debut album, it should have been a smash, but Elektra was a mess at the time and dropped the ball. Still, Cotton got the song on wax. So, I feel like the song should be most associated with her. L.A. fans of the Go-Go's from their earliest days may not necessarily agree.

Throwing another wrinkle in this whole timeline, however, is that the hardcore-punk band Fear had a working relationship with the Paines too, and Cotton told Magnet in 2006 that Fear was performing the song before either her or the Go-Go's. They did record a studio version too, and you can find it on bootlegs like 'Living With Fear.' Although I consider myself a fan, I have never heard Fear do this song. If you have, let me know if I'm missing something.

So which band did the original? Does it matter? All I know is both Cotton and the Go-Go's are great. The Go-Go's take below is from a live show at the Mabuhay in San Francisco, circa August 1979. It can be found on 'Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's.' In case you were wondering, since reuniting, the Go-Go's do pull this song out from time to time. As for Cotton, you can find her first two albums on one disc here. This one approaches must-buy territory.

The Go-Go's - Johnny, Are You Queer? (Live, 1979) (mp3)
Josie Cotton - Johnny, Are You Queer? (mp3)



More Cover Me Impressed:
"Superman"
"Voices"
"Almost Saturday Night"
"Too Many Teardrops"
"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"
"They Don't Know"
"Everybody's Talkin'"
"What Goes On"
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
Halloween Edition
"Porpoise Song"
"Prairie Rose"
"Come On Eileen"
"Walking On Thin Ice"
Jason Falkner Edition
"True Love Will Find You In The End"
"This Will Be Our Year"
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time"
"Nightime/Thirteen"
"The End Of The World"
"(Don't Go Back To)Rockville"
"God Only Knows"
"And Your Bird Can Sing"
"So Sad About Us"
"Everywhere"
"Walking The Cow"

'SMiLE' of the Day

Just a quick note in case you didn't know... You can stream some songs from the impending release of 'The SMiLE Sessions' on the Beach Boys' Facebook page. Capitol is still promising a Nov. 1 release date. Here are your purchase options once again.

Paul Simon to Take 'Graceland' on the Road

While Paul Simon is busy preparing to tour America again (beginning this weekend) in support of the well-done 2011 album 'So Beautiful or So What,' he's already looking ahead to 2012 and the 25th anniversary of his most acclaimed solo album (and one of my all-time favorites), 'Graceland.' We already knew there would be a blowout box set in late spring to commemorate the Grammy-award winning record, but now comes news of a tour at around the same time. Simon will reunite the musicians he used on the album and 1987 tour, including South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I saw Simon in 2001, and it would surely be near the top of any best-show list, but to witness 'Graceland' in its entirety would be a real dream come true. Stay tuned for more on this one.

Robyn Hitchcock Curates Hits Collection

Yep Roc, one of the great indie labels and a huge proponent of vinyl, is about to do something slightly odd... release a best-of collection from Robyn Hitchcock that will be available only as a digital download. The 16-track 'Chronology,' chosen by Hitchcock himself, spans his days with the Soft Boys through the Venus 3-backed 'Goodnight Oslo.' So, don't expect anything from the excellent 2011 release 'Tromsø, Kaptein,' but just about anything else goes. I'm a little disappointed the folks at Yep Roc chose to go the download-only route, but I guess this one is really a small sampler for the uninitiated anyway. The selections are tough to criticize (although I would have gone with "I'm Falling" or "Up to Our Nex" over Goodnight Oslo,"), and this looks like a great place for newbies to start. Enjoy a few clips -- including one from 'Late Night With David Letterman' circa 1989 and another where the show's host introduces him as "Robert Hitchcock" -- to get you in the mood.

'Chronology' Tracklist:
1. I Wanna Destroy You
2. Kingdom of Love
3. Only the Stones Remain
4. The Man Who Invented Himself
5. I Often Dream Of Trains
6. My Wife and My Dead Wife
7. If You Were a Priest
8. Balloon Man
9. Madonna of the Wasps
10. So You Think You're in Love
11. Queen Elvis
12. I Feel Beautiful
13. Mr. Kennedy
14. Full Moon in My Soul
15. Adventure Rocket Ship
16. Goodnight Oslo

Stream a Holiday Tune From She & Him

I know. I know. I always go overboard with the She & Him news. Tough. Since the announcement of 'A Very She & Him Christmas,' we've seen the cover and learned there are lots of extra goody options for your stocking if you preorder the CD or (my choice) red vinyl directly from Merge. Be the first on your block with a She & Him stocking cap, mittens and even wrapping paper. Best of all, today the label has given us a little listen. Check out a stream of "The Christmas Waltz," and be a good boy or girl while you wait for the Oct. 24 release.

She & Him - The Christmas Waltz by MergeRecords

Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (Postscript)

My pivotal teen years occurred in the 1980s. That made constructing my top-albums list tougher than it would be if I tackled any other decade. When I started thinking about candidates, it took only a few minutes to come up with about 100 worthy albums. I also had to think about the rules. Do I pick records that were important to me in the '80s, or does an album still have to be on my turntable with regularity in 2011? How many albums will I allow an artist to have on such a short list? (In case you're interested, I capped it at two). Should I include soundtracks and live albums? (I didn't. Thus, no 'Repo Man.') That's just the tip of the iceberg. Point is, a countdown that should have filled me with pure joy had me feeling pretty anxious.

There were so many albums worthy of inclusion that didn't make the cut. I have mentioned a few of these albums during the course of presenting the countdown, such as Tom Waits' 'Rain Dogs,' Squeeze's 'East Side Story,' David Bowie's 'Scary Monsters' and at least a couple by Elvis Costello.

Then there were some bands and artists I consider all-time favorites -- that were pretty prolific during the decade -- that ended up not even sniffing the Top 40. A few examples are OMD, New Order, Nick Lowe, Crowded House and ex-Beatles. I also thought there would be more punk albums. Bands like Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, and Husker Du got me through the angst-filled years.

With all of this in mind, I wanted to post a very quick list of the records that just missed the list. These are in no particular order. This has to end sometime. So, I'm going to try to limit the comments. If you haven't heard some of these, I ask you to give them a try.

Scraps From Top 40 Albums of the 1980s

Tom Waits - 'Swordfishtrombones' (1983)
This one and 'Rain Dogs' (also from the '80s) are his his best works.

fIREHOSE - 'Ragin', Full On' (1986)
After the death of D. Boon, Mike Watt and George Hurley from Minutemen start a new band with this one.
fIREHOSE - Brave Captain (mp3)

Klark Kent - 'Klark Kent' (1980)
Solo album from Police drummer Stewart Copeland
Klark Kent - Away from Home (mp3)

Let's Active - 'Cypress' (1984)
Jangle pop from Mitch Easter
Let's Active - Waters Part (mp3)

The Crucifucks - 'The Crucifucks' (1984)
If side two was just a little stronger, this one makes the list.
The Crucifucks - Hinkley Had a Vision (mp3)

Everything But the Girl - 'Everything But the Girl' (1984)
Got this one after hearing Tracey Thorn's angelic voice on the Style Council's "Paris Match."

Carlene Carter - 'Blue Nun' (1981)
You can't go wrong with Paul Carrack, Nick Lowe, Martin Belmont, Billy Bremner and Bobby Irwin backing you.
Carlene Carter - Me and My .38 (mp3)

X - 'Los Angeles' (1980)
Pride of the Slash Records stable. Punk rockers separate themselves with powerful vocals from John Doe and Exene Cervenka.

The Jesus and Mary Chain - 'Psychocandy' (1985)
Landmark album continues to influence score of bands with fuzzy guitars.

U2 - 'War' (1983)
Yes, there was a brief period early on when Bono didn't bug me.

I could go on and on. Apologies to NRBQ, Roxy Music, Orange Juice and scores of others.

Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#10-#1)

Previous:
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#40-#31)
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#30-#21)
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#20-#11)
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (Postscript)

10. 'Doolittle'

The Pixies
1989
(Buy)



The Pixies sure have milked this classic. They have been on a 20th anniversary tour of 'Doolittle' for more than two years now, but I can't really blame them... especially since I was one of the sheep that showed up for the nostalgia trip. When I saw them, at one point Kim Deal laughingly told the crowd it was time to go deep into the album. I hate to disagree with her, but there is no filler here. 'Doolittle' was truly a beacon during a dark time in the industry.

9. 'London 0 Hull 4'

The Housemartins
1986
(Buy)
The Housemartins - Happy Hour (mp3)


Housemartins, we hardly knew ye. This is one of my favorite jangle-pop albums of all time. As I gave in to technology, it was also the first compact disc I ever bought. The band had only one other full-length album after this, and some of the members went on to form the wildly successful (at least in the UK) Beautiful South, but no other piece of music matched this one from the self-proclaimed "fourth-best band from Hull."

8. 'The Gift'

The Jam
1982
(Buy)



This may not seem like an inspired choice. Most die-hard fans would name earlier, edgier and less commercial work. I can respect that, but the bottom line is my three favorite Jam songs are on this record ("Carnation," "Running on the Spot" and "Just Who Is the 5 O'Clock Hero?"), and I completely fell for the R&B, soul and funk influences. The trio disbanded at their peak, and "The Gift" was a great transition into Paul Weller's next band, the Style Council.

7. 'The Pretenders'

Pretenders
1980
(Buy)



I was too young to buy this one when it came out, but I imagine those who did must have thought, "whoa, who is this chick?" Chrissie Hynde's first album is best known for the ballad "Brass in Pocket," but believe me, most of the rest of the album is raw, raucous and pretty damn punk rock. Skeptical? Just give "The Wait" or "Tattooed Love Boys" a listen. For obvious reasons, the band had a big drop off after this record, but I'm happy Hynde was able to regroup with the satisfying 'Learning to Crawl' four years later.

6. 'High Land, Hard Rain'

Aztec Camera
1983
(Buy)
Aztec Camera - Lost Outside the Tunnel (mp3)

I have a real soft spot for Scottish bands, and this album is my favorite from a nation filled with memorable records. I still can't get over that frontman Roddy Frame made this record as a teenager. "Oblivious" is the song everyone remembers, and rightly so, but "We Could Send Letters," "Pillar to Post" and "Walk Out to Winter" remind us this is a perfectly crafted piece of pop. That this one peaked at No. 154 here in America is an absolute embarrassment.

5. 'Field Day'

Marshall Crenshaw
1983
(Buy)
Marshall Crenshaw - One Day With You (mp3)

Marshall Crenshaw will always be remembered for his 1982 debut album, but I liked this follow-up even better. Some believe the sub-par production of Steve Lillywhite is what separates 'Field Day' from its predecessor, but I'm not in that camp. (Although I have to admit the U.S. Remix of "For Her Love", sans Lillywhite, sounds cleaner and crisper than the album version.) I think this is another example of me loving an album because this is the place where (and time when) I discovered an artist that went on to become one of my all-time favorites. In other words, if you like his debut better, I won't argue. Both are great albums.

4. 'The Queen is Dead'

The Smiths
1986
(Buy)



Most of the kids I knew growing up in the '80s felt U2 was the voice of our generation, but I think it was the Smiths. Every album from the Smiths is a must have, but this is the best of the bunch. It brought the 'Meat is Murder' haters back into the fold, satisfied those that stuck with them from the beginning and, most importantly, brought many new fans to the altar. This is another example of an album that meant so much to me that I know exactly where I was when I got my first listen back in '86. Incidentally, it was the same time I got my first listen to Big Country's 'The Seer...' big day! I will put up "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" against just about any song in this decade. It was an anthem for the ages.

3. 'London Calling'

The Clash
1980
(Buy)



First, let's set the record straight. 'London Calling' was released in December 1979 in the UK, but it didn't make it to these shores until January 1980. So, in my world, this classic double album qualifies for the list. The Clash were already a big deal in the UK before 'London Calling,' but this, their third album, made them a global force. By now the band was wearing all of their influences on their sleeves. The cover was very punk rock, but the wax illustrated a myriad of genres, including ska and jazz. The Clash always seemed political, but their messages on issues like nuclear power, unemployment and war were on the front lines here. 'London Calling' has received about as many accolades (then and now) as an album can get. I'll get in the back of the line.

2. 'Murmur'

R.E.M.
1983
(Buy)



The band just broke up after 31 years together. For me, they might as well have disbanded a quarter century ago. I gave up on them long before their move to arena rock and a major label. Sounds like the remark of someone who hates R.E.M., but nothing could be further from the truth. I really love their first four albums and, in 1983 and 1984, R.E.M. was one of my favorite bands. As I have written on this blog many times, R.E.M's first two albums are just about perfect. If you only know R.E.M. from their big hits of the late '80s and early '90s, I implore you to give this a listen. Back then the band was not about hit singles and filler. Every note is a pure jangly delight.

1. 'Get Happy!!'

Elvis Costello and the Attractions
1980
(Buy)



I discovered Elvis Costello at the age of 13. I saw the video for his latest single, "Everyday I Write the Book." I liked it a lot and started saving paper-route pennies for 'Punch the Clock.' In the meantime, one Saturday night I saw the video for 'Oliver's Army' on the TBS show 'Night Tracks.' I'll never forget it. Days later I bought my first Costello record. 'Punch the Clock' would have to wait. I got a cassette copy of 'Armed Forces' instead. Thus began a love affair with Costello that lives on to this day. 'Get Happy!!' came into my life about a year later. It's not only my favorite Costello album from the '80s, it's my favorite album from his entire discography. The record is 20 short songs of snappy pop, R&B and soul right out of the vaults of Stax and Motown. This is the first Costello album where you realize he's not just an angry young man. Much like Joe Jackson, he's a renaissance man capable of any musical genre. Within two years he would tackle country ('Almost Blue') and chamber pop ('Imperial Bedroom'). Either one of these records (as well as a couple of others) could and should be on this list, but I didn't want this to become the Costello Show.

Live Release From Elvis Costello in November

Other than a release date, details are sketchy, but Hip-O will put out a live Elvis Costello and the Imposters CD/DVD/vinyl "super deluxe edition" set called 'The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook' on Nov. 21. Older fans like me may remember his spinning wheel tour in support of the 'Blood and Chocolate' album back in 1986. Well, during his 2011 Revolver Tour, Costello brought back that idea on a larger scale, complete with a 16-foot wheel and 40 song titles. The shows have included go-go dancers and Costello depicting various characters, including a game-show host and stand-up comic. All of this should make for an interesting release, especially on DVD.

What I'm curious about is whether the CD and vinyl versions will be one complete show or highlights from the entire tour. There was a rumor the May 12, 2011 show from the Wiltern in Los Angeles was recorded for a future release. Is this 'The Return Of The Spectacular Spinning Songbook?' We'll have to wait a bit to find out. If you're curious about that show, here is the setlist. Highlights included appearances by the Bangles (Susanna Hoffs took the lead on "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's A Doll Revolution)") and a ton of covers including "Purple Rain," "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "Heart of the City." Check out some video from that show.



Elvis Costello and the Imposters
May 12, 2011
Los Angeles

1. I Hope You're Happy Now
2. Heart Of The City
3. Mystery Dance
4. Uncomplicated - including Shotgun
5. Radio, Radio
6. I Want You - including I Say A Little Prayer - spin 1
7. Monkey To Man - spin 2
8. God Give Me Strength - spin 3
Detectives vs. Hoover Factory - spin 4
9. Watching The Detectives
10. And Your Bird Can Sing - dedicated to wheel spinner Bird
11. Clubland - spin 5
12. Tear Off Your Own Head (It's A Doll Revolution) - sung by The Bangles
Girl Jackpot - spin 6
13. Girl - with The Bangles on backing vocals
14. Next Time 'Round - with The Bangles on backing vocals
15. Out Of Time
16. Everyday I Write The Book - spin 7
17. Stella Hurt - spin 8
Encore 1
18. A Slow Drag With Josephine - EC solo
19. Jimmie Standing In The Rain - EC solo, including Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
20. Pump It Up in 6/8 / Busted - Elvis on piano, Steve on Hammond organ and Vox Continental
Encore 2
21. Wheels - spin 9
22. Earthbound - spin 10
23. So Like Candy / Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - spin 11
24. Alison - including Tracks Of My Tears, Tears Of A Clown and No More Tearstained Make-Up
Encore 3
I Can Sing A Rainbow Jackpot - spin 12
25. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes
26. Purple Rain
27. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding? - including The Kids Are Alright

Hall-of-Fame Performances

With the nominations out, I was going to spend last night writing my annual rant against the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Baseball ended up trumping all of that. It was the best day for the sport... ever. I can't believe I was once against having the wild card. In 25 minutes I witnessed the Atlanta Braves complete the worst collapse in MLB history. It took less than a half hour for that record to be broken as the Boston Red Sox completed an even larger (and historic) choke job. Would they still have a chance to make the playoffs? NO! Less than three minutes later the Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria hits a walk-off homer to finish an improbable comeback from a 7-0 deficit to the Yankees.

All three of these games either went into extra innings or ended with a comeback in the bottom of the ninth. A couple of winning teams were down to their last out or even their last strike. The drama was without peer. It would be like watching the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament and seeing three buzzer beaters in a row. So, as the regular season ends, all is right in the world. I don't have to watch the hillbillies attempt to do the tomahawk chop in unison into October, the Red Sox are epic losers again and my Cubbies are reserving tee times.

I'm just too happy to be a curmudgeon today. I'll let this year's list of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's nominees speak for itself. I actually like a couple of the bands here, but I don't think any of them should make the cut. It would be like letting a Lee Smith or Fred McGriff into the Baseball Hall of Fame. They were good... but not good enough.

2012 Nominees -- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Beastie Boys
The Cure
Donovan
Eric B. & Rakim
Guns N’ Roses
Heart
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
Freddie King
Laura Nyro
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rufus with Chaka Khan
The Small Faces/The Faces
The Spinners
Donna Summer
War

R.E.M. Comp Could Be Better

OK, time to get on the soapbox. Just as R.E.M. calls it quits, the band's 40-song double disc 'Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011' is announced with a Nov. 15 release date. This should be exciting. It marks the first time R.E.M. has ever had a best-of package that captures both their IRS and Warner Bros. material. Further, at least for uberfans, it's a big deal because of the three brand-new songs that will appear at the end of disc two. One of the songs, "We All Go Back to Where We Belong," will be released as a single on Oct. 18.

Here's the problem. For those of us who think their early indie output is far superior to the major-label material, we get screwed. Of the 40 songs, only 13 of them are from the IRS years. The songs from that period that were selected are all worthy of inclusion, but there should have been more. Why not divide the two labels by disc? For me, the biggest error was not including the single "Can't Get There From Here." If you honestly think that's asking too much, then please take a close look at the WB material on disc two. The second half of this compilation is very weak.

As for the addition of three new songs on a best-of package, I hate this marketing ploy. First of all, how can three songs nobody has ever heard be among the best songs the 31-year old band ever did? Obviously, the inclusion of these songs is to force R.E.M.'s biggest fans to buy a record they would not otherwise need. If you fall into this camp, do yourself a favor and listen before you buy. It is probably far better to spend $1.29 per song online for the ones worthy of purchase. I promise you a few years from now these three new songs will stick out like sore thumbs on this best-of package. They are taking up valuable space for fan favorites like "Drive" and "Can't Get There From Here. Please, record labels, don't put new songs on compilations like this. It's a lame cash grab. Preorder 'Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011' here.

'Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982-2011' Tracklist
Disc 1
1. Gardening At Night
2. Radio Free Europe
3. Talk About The Passion
4. Sitting Still
5. So. Central Rain
6. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville
7. Driver 8
8. Life And How To Live It
9. Begin The Begin
10. Fall On Me
11. Finest Worksong
12. It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
13. The One I Love
14. Stand
15. Pop Song 89
16. Get Up
17. Orange Crush
18. Losing My Religion
19. Country Feedback
20. Shiny Happy People

Disc 2
1. The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
2. Everybody Hurts
3. Man On The Moon
4. Nightswimming
5. What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
6. New Test Leper
7. Electrolite
8. At My Most Beautiful
9. The Great Beyond
10. Imitation Of Life
11. Bad Day
12. Leaving New York
13. Living Well Is The Best Revenge
14. Supernatural Superserious
15. ÜBerlin
16. Oh My Heart
17. Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter
18. A Month of Saturdays
19. We All Go Back To Where We Belong
20. Hallelujah

What I'm Diggin': Spectrals, Veronica Falls

A couple of UK bands from the Slumberland Records stable are holding the attention of these ears this week, and both of them have long-awaited debut albums that should catch the attention of the indie crowd. Like most Slumberland bands, Spectrals and Veronica Falls sound like they are from a bygone era and, yet, cutting edge at the same time. Check out the latest singles and videos below. The Spectrals album, 'Bad Penny,' will be out Oct. 25 here in America, and you can preorder it here. As for the self-titled album from Veronica Falls, it cam out last week. Get it here.

Spectrals - Get a Grip (mp3)
Veronica Falls - Bad Feeling (mp3)

Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#20-#11)

Previous:
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#40-#31)
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#30-#21)

20. 'Truth and Soul'

Fishbone
1988
(Buy)



I was enamored with the second wave of ska (Madness, English Beat, the Specials) throughout most of the '80s. So, it wasn't much of a leap to listen to offshoots such as this mix of ska, funk and punk. Like on previous albums, there are classic party anthems... but quite a bit of "truth," too. Through the years, I liked quite a few songs by them, but this is the only album I can back from beginning to end. Get yourself one of their best-of packages and this one. You'll be all set.

19. 'Rio'

Duran Duran
1982
(Buy)



I have an on-again, off-again relationship with Duran Duran. The first time I ever saw MTV, "Hungry Like the Wolf" was THE hit of the network. I saw (and heard) the song at least five times that day... and was hooked. By the time "The Reflex" took the channel hostage in the summer of '84, I hated them so much I couldn't even go back and listen to 'Rio.' It took a while to wait out duds like "Wild Boys," but I was back on board when "Notorious" came out in '86. You get the point. Through the decades, I have had quite a few happy moments with Duran Duran, but none have matched those first listens to 'Rio' back in 1982.

18. 'Easy Pieces'
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
1985
(Buy)
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions - Rich (mp3)


Many fans consider this album one of the band's weaker moments, but 'Easy Pieces' has always been my favorite in the Cole canon. The lyrics are at least as sharp as those found on 'Rattlesnakes,' and much more accessible. The music is more synthesizer driven and the production seems a little dated today, which I think turn off some, but I still love that sound to this day. There isn't really any reason to argue about which record is better. Outside of R.E.M, I can't think of a better freshman-sophomore effort during this decade.

17. 'Reckoning'

R.E.M.
1984
(Buy)



And speaking of R.E.M., here is that second album. As I write this, the band has announced it's disbanding, to which I replied to Mrs. LTL!, "I thought they were finished 25 years ago." That was a little harsh. There was a bright moment or two in the late '80s, but 'Reckoning' is the back end of what might be the greatest one-two punch in indie history. It opened me to a whole new genre. Without 'Reckoning' I may have never become a passionate follower of jangle pop. Perhaps I wouldn't have discover peers and predecessors like the Feelies, Let's Active, the dB's, Guadalcanal Diary and a slew of Athens bands. So, even though my feelings for R.E.M. went from love (the first four albums), to like (the rest of the I.R.S. catalog), to indifference (the first couple of major-label outings), to downright hate (everything after that), I will always be thankful for 'Reckoning.' It was an important moment in my musical growth.

16. 'Graceland'

Paul Simon
1986
(Buy)



Admittedly, Paul Simon wasn't one of my favorites in 1986. I was full of teen angst, and punk rock filled my life. I couldn't stand "You Can Call Me Al." Obviously, that smash hit wasn't representative of the greatness of 'Graceland.' So, I'm glad I was converted in 2001. That's when I found Simon. Brian Wilson was opening for him that summer, and I wasn't going to miss a chance to see my favorite Beach Boy. So, I gave his new record, 'I'm the One,' a try. I liked it enough to get a best-of package and this album. I have never looked back. Simon has had quite a few good albums, and in my mind, his solo debut is right up there, but 'Graceland' is his high-water mark.

15. 'Let's Dance'

David Bowie
1983
(Buy)



'Let's Dance' is the only appearance on this list by David Bowie, and I'm not doing this to shake feathers. It's true most of you out there hate Bowie's '80s output, but the one exception might be 'Scary Monsters' from 1980. If this list went to 50, it would have been here. Truth is, I'm an unapologetic fan of just about everything he has ever done, including the much-maligned 'Tonight' and 'Never Let Me Down' albums. I'm not going to critique 'Let's Dance' as too light and commercial. If it wasn't a hit, I may not have discovered it. I was only 12 years old when it came out, and this was my first taste of Bowie's work. That's part of the reason why I hold it in such high esteem. Now I have just about his entire discography, and I still consider 'Let's Dance' one of his best. Feel free to rip me now.

14. 'The Crossing'

Big Country
1983
(Buy)
Big Country - Fields of Fire (mp3)


I have written so much about this band since the inception of this blog. There's not much more to say. They were my favorite band from this debut through 'The Seer' in 1986. I'm not sure if this album has aged well. Perhaps my bias makes me a poor judge. All I know is their distinct sound still fills me with joy to this day. These were heady times for the Scottish band, both critically and commercially, and I'm rooting for brighter days on the comeback trail, sans the late Stuart Adamson. C'mon lads, give us another album like this one.


13. 'Stands for Decibels'

The dB's
1981
(Buy)
The dB's - Bad Reputation (mp3)


Through the years, the dB's have reached cult status, but this is my plea to elevate the band, and this album in particular, to classic status. If you're a fan of power pop or jangle pop and don't own this record, you have a large hole in your music collection that needs to be filled right now. While you're at it, get the followup, 'Repercussion,' too. Once Chris Stamey left the group (after these two albums), their sound changed... good, but different. The good news is, after all of these years, the original lineup is recording again. We should have a new album from them in 2012.

12. 'Marshall Crenshaw'

Marshall Crenshaw
1982
(Buy)
Marshall Crenshaw - Brand New Lover (mp3)


I didn't discover Marshall Crenshaw until his second album. I was only 11 years old when his debut came out, after all, but I know the single "Someday, Someway" was a minor success, particularly on the East Coast, but the general consensus seems to be that he is a one-hit wonder. Wrong! When it comes to pop music, Crenshaw is an absolute genius. Artistically, I think he hit a rough patch in the late '80s and early '90s, but before and after that he has put together several overlooked albums that I hope some day, some way, will get their due.

11. 'Double Nickels on the Dime'

Minutemen
1984
(Buy)
Minutemen - Viet Nam (mp3)


Looking back, it's shocking. MTV actually used to play the video for "This Ain't No Picnic." It's kind of embarrassing to admit, but that's how I discovered Minutemen and this album. D. Boon and Mike Watt became my heroes. I thought of San Pedro like New Romantics thought of London. The trio "jammed econo," from their less than flashy flannel to their less than three-minute songs. (It took 45 of them to tell the 'Double Nickels' story, however.) This album was my conduit to the punk-rock scene and, in particular, the SST label. Boon was missed, but I took a huge liking to Watt's next band, fIREHOSE, and that trio also had albums considered for this list.