I’m hoping to post all 10 years of the 80s here, and I’m using Slicing Up Eyeballs’ lists. Some of my “top 10” at the time would have been dramatically different, but since this is hindsight, I’m using my taste now and my respect for the music. The weirdest thing is that I’ve included the contribution of REM every time there’s been one, I think… and I never listen to REM, really. But they made some really great records in the 80s. I didn’t even bother listening to most of what they put out post-1990 or so, except what was on the radio (which is part of why I didn’t bother). I’ve been told this is my loss, and that there’s some great stuff there, but I haven’t felt the urge to remedy that. Maybe someday.
IN THE MEANTIME…
I give you Mugen’s top 10 alt.rock albums of 1988:
Edie Brickell and New Bohemians – Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking
Living Colour – Vivid
Metallica – …And Justice for All
Ministry – The Land of Rape and Honey
Pixies – Surfer Rosa
The Pogues – If I Should Fall from Grace with God
REM – Green
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Peepshow
Skinny Puppy – VIVIsectVI
My list of runners up is pretty long, too. Let’s just say that Soundgarden, Suicidal Tendencies, The Primitives, Transvision Vamp, Fishbone, KMFDM, They Might Be Giants, and Public Enemy weren’t lazy that year.
The Conversation