Category Archives: Uncategorized

     An interesting selection today, we have the album “Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby”.  The artist, whose name is in the album title, changed his name to Sananda Maitreya in 2001, so I will refer to him as such from this point on in this summary.  This album was not only aContinue reading “Sananda Maitreya “Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D’Arby” (1987)”

     “Thinkin’ of a master plan…”  Yes, today is the today we take a quantum leap forward in the world of hip-hop with the debut album from Eric B. and Rakim, “Paid in Full”.  The genre of hip-hop had been building momentum throughout the decade, starting with Grandmaster Flash, The Sugarhill Gang, and more recently,Continue reading “Eric B. and Rakim “Paid in Full” (1987)”

     Another spectacular 1980s classic today, with The Cure and their double album “Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me”.  Led by vocalist and guitarist Robert Smith, they have such a unique contrast of dark and haunting, along with the occasional burst of sunshine that shines through on a song like “Just Like Heaven” or “FridayContinue reading “The Cure “Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me” (1987)”

     I will admit, when I saw that “Sign o’ the Times”, the next album from Prince, was rated #45 on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, I was a bit cynical after thinking “The Joshua Tree” by U2 was rated way too low, at #135.  I really shouldn’t care about theseContinue reading “Prince “Sign o’ the Times” (1987)”

     Some of these albums require several complete listens from front to back for me to learn the nuances and figure out how I feel about the record, and then there are some that I could write about without even a second thought.  “The Joshua Tree” by U2 definitely belongs in that second category, asContinue reading “U2 “The Joshua Tree” (1987)”

     “Tommy used to work on the docks…”, yes, it is time today for 1987’s #1 selling album, which was released in August of 1986, “Slippery When Wet” by Bon Jovi.  Not only was the record a massive commercial hit, it opened the aperture further, along with Def Leppard, for the merging of pop musicContinue reading “Bon Jovi “Slippery When Wet” (1986)”

     After two days of intense metal, who would have thought the relatively soothing sounds of the Beastie Boys would bring me down from the ledge, but that is exactly what happened.  My appreciation for this group evolved much more so in the 1990s, and when “Licensed to Ill” was first released, I didn’t giveContinue reading “Beastie Boys “Licensed to Ill” (1986)”

     The year of metal continues, with yet another highly acclaimed heavy metal record that came out in 1986.  “Reign In Blood” by Slayer is the 4th rated album on the loudwire.com list of Top 10 Metal Albums of All Time.  Like Metallica and Megadeth, Slayer also hails from California, and just like Dave MustaineContinue reading “Slayer “Reign In Blood” (1986)”

     Back to the heavy metal for another highly acclaimed 1986 release, today we have “Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying?” by Dave Mustaine and Megadeth.  Mustaine was originally with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich in Metallica before being fired for substance abuse issues, and was replaced by Kirk Hammett.  It is only natural for theContinue reading “Megadeth “Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying?” (1986)”

     In the 1980s, several stars of the 1960s and 1970s discovered a resurgence.  Unfortunately, for most of them, it was fueled by superficial pop hits that in many cases, were note even written by these re-emerging artists.  Heart, Aerosmith and Tina Turner are among those that come to mind, and while they had aContinue reading “Paul Simon “Graceland” (1986)”