Darklands by the Jesus and Mary Chain (1987)
I am only tangentially familiar with miserable, rain-drenched Scottish post-punk band the Jesus and Mary Chain because (a) they were […]
1980s
Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits (1985)
The number of world-bestriding rock bands generated by declining post-industrial British cities in the latter third of the 20th century
The Smiths, deep dive (part II)
continued from part I The Queen is Dead (1986)Up until this point in their career, the Smiths were in danger
The Smiths, deep dive (part I)
The Smiths are a byword for depressed, rainswept, northern English alternative rock music, at least judging by a string of
Hunting High and Low by a-ha (1985)
Obviously, Scandinavians shouldn’t be making pop music. Yes, this narcolepsy-inducing subspecies of emotionless, inveterately level-headed neat freaks are great when
Moving Pictures by Rush (1981)
Just to nail my colours to the mast; I don’t like prog rock, I find its overly long, meandering song
True by Spandau Ballet (1983)
The “battle of the bands” marketing gimmick had its roots in the 1960s, in the manufactured confrontation between the Beatles
Avalon by Roxy Music (1982)
Bryan Ferry – surely one of the biggest prats in the history of rock – actually comes from oop North,
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) by Simple Minds (1983)
I saw Simple Minds live in 2015, in the German city of Kassel, and the memory of it haunts me
1980s
Forever Young by Alphaville (1984)
I consider myself something of a connoisseur when it comes to synthpop, and yet I had never listened to or