Album of the week

Gerald Jackson48 said:She’s even got that ‘Flying Beagle’ album, so you never know what you might get. 😳

😍
Sold! I'll give that one a spin tonight too, even though the last suggestion wasn't really my thing.

Lisa Davis46 said:😍
Sold! I'm giving this one a spin tonight too, even though the last suggestion wasn't really my vibe.

Not for me either, honestly, but those album titles and covers are absolute fire. 😎

Man, those Comsat Angels dropped one of the best albums of '81—honestly, right up there with the Costello Trust and that brilliant Echo & the Bunnymen record, which is my absolute favorite. To me, the year wasn't actually all that special, though—post-punk was already starting to splinter, hardcore hadn't really branched out into other genres yet, singer-songwriter stuff was probably hitting its worst slump ever, and classic rock was basically non-existent.

It's pretty wild to think about because the American indie scene probably had its best year ever back then.

Edit — I guess I could also throw in The Cure's Faith, Gang of Four's Solid Gold, Glorious Fool by John Martyn, Elton John's The Fox, and a few others, but still, the year just wasn't that huge for me.

It’s true... even though they’re an absolute marvel, Echo & the Bunnymen still haven't quite broken into our mainstream charts... and looking at the comments, I see I'm definitely not the only one with them on my radar...😁

analogbear40 said:Man... it’s wild that Echo & the Bunnymen still haven't broken onto our mainstream charts—seems like I'm definitely not the only one who's been waiting for them to finally blow up.😁

Any of those first four or five are totally worth talking about—seriously. I'm just sitting here trying to figure out what actually ties Echo & the Bunnymen, Gang of Four, and The Fall together—besides just being from the same era—to justify calling them all post-punk.

Edit — man, I'm telling you, Fire of Love, Signals Calls and Marches, Almost Blue, Tattoo You, Minor Threat, and Damaged were all dropped back in '81.

Edit 2 — I'm talking Flowers of Romance, but I won't mention him—just wanna see if the resident doctor has any cool GIFs to share or if he just couldn't care less.😁

It’s a shame you missed the fact that U2 released October that same year.

brightwolf48 said:Man, you totally missed that U2 dropped October this year.

I wouldn't have let him out of my sight even if someone offered me a lifetime supply of GIFs.😁

I’ve heard some people claiming this is actually U2's best work—but we all know there's a certain crowd that swears *Trans* is Young's peak. Personally? I think it's just genre fixation or fans being extra.

Alright, you U2 experts, let's hear it... which track should I dive into first? Give me your best picks! 😉

Steven Newman50 said:Alright, you U2 experts—give me some suggestions, what's actually worth listening to from them? 😉

I don't know, man... why hasn't this band ever really clicked for me? I get why they've been at the top for 35 years—it makes sense—but there's just something missing on my end. I'm no expert, obviously, but if I had to pick, War and Achtung Baby would be my go-tos.

I’m going to put this forward from their side.

Dennis Hall41 said:Why is it that I just can't seem to vibe with them? Like, I get it, they've been at the top of the charts for 35 years, but there's just something missing for me... I'm no expert, obviously, but if I had to pick, *War* and *Thriller* would definitely be my go-tos.

I’ve never really latched onto them myself, even though I'm constantly surrounded by total fanatics. Not that I think they're bad or anything!

Mark Cruz15 said:I'd suggest checking this one out.

So, wait... is that where you got your username from?

Steven Newman50 said:So, I guess that's where the nickname comes from?

Not really. When I was signing up for things back in the day, I always looked for the most ridiculous word I could find just to be silly, and this one happened to stick. It was just some random joke site...

Steven Newman50 said:I've never really gotten into them—even though I've got a few die-hard fans around me. But hey, I don't think they're bad.

My big issue is just how much they lack catchy melodies. They'll land a good one every now and then, but mostly they just lean on the rhythm section and Edgar’s guitar—which is easily one of the top 10 most iconic sounds in rock history. A lot of their tracks feel like they just fall apart mid-way through—at least that's how it hits me—because I can't stay focused. Take Bad Boy Records or Where the Streets End, for example... I've played them maybe 50 times, but I honestly can't replay the melody in my head once the second minute passes.

March 9, 1987. That’s a date burned into my memory. If anyone else here remembers that specific moment, you know exactly what I mean. Aside from the general grind of living in this decaying capitalist machine, that was the day you could actually walk into the local Warner Music Group shop on Broadway and pick up The Beatles.
For the first time in history, we’re seeing a simultaneous official release date both out there in the States and right here at home. It's a massive shift.

I’d say that’s a massive reason why that album hit such huge numbers here in America—it really comes down to how many copies actually moved through the stores.

To be honest, I’ve never been someone who obsessively tracks every single release from U2. They were always just there in the background for me. But everything changed with *The Unforgettable Fire* back in '84. That was the moment they truly stuck in my mind.
This album is truly defined by its incredible atmosphere. It all comes down to how The Edge was already showcasing his pure guitar mastery at this stage, blending it perfectly with cutting-edge studio tech like those signature echoes and delays. When you factor in the production work from Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, the results are stunning. Honestly, the title track is a complete masterpiece in that regard.

Solid review of The Unforgettable Fire. I’d definitely throw in a mention of those first 30 seconds—that magical Wire vibe—which easily ranks among the most transcendental sonic hits I've ever heard.

THE VERVE - Northern Soul (1995)



Tracklist:

A New Decade 4:12
This Is Music 3:36
On Your Own 3:34
So It Goes 6:11
A Northern Soul 6:32
Brainstorm Interlude 5:11
Drive You Home 6:42
History 5:26
No Knock On My Door 5:12
Life's An Ocean 5:44
Stormy Clouds 5:35
(Reprise) 6:11



(I had to include her live version—that specific take absolutely destroys me)







https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBhhq1Ip_X8

The Pogues - Rum, Sodomy & the lash (1985)



Sodomy & The Lash
Dirty Old Town
Wild Cats of Kilkenny
I'm a man you don't meet Every day
A Pair of Brown Eyes
Sally MacLennane
Dirty Old Town
Jesse James
Navigator
Billy's Bones
The gentleman
Soldier and The band

David Bowie - Blackstar (2016)



1. Blackstar
2. Whore
3. Lazarus
4. Season of Crime
5. Girl Loves me
6. Dollar Days
7. I Can't Give Everything Away

Madrugada – Industrial Silence (1999)



Genre: blues rock, dark country

Tracklist:
1 Vocal 6:26
2 Beautyproof 3:57
3 Shine 4:11
4 Higher 4:46
5 Sirens 6:15
6 Strange Colour Blue 5:05
7 This Old House 5:07
8 Electric 4:51
9 Salt 4:50
10 Belladonna 4:18
11 Tracklist 5:27
12 Quite Emotional 4:19
13 Tracklist 4:05

Since things are looking a little thin on suggestions today, I figured I'd toss out a little country gem of my own..

Townes van Zandt - The latiti Great Townes van Zandt (1972)



Tracklist:

1. no Lonesome tune 4:17
2. SAD Cinderella 4:13
3. German Mustard 2:53
4. don't let The Sunshine Fool Ya 2:23
5. Honky Tonkin 3:41
6. Snow don't fall 2:25
7. Fraulein 2:41
8. Poncho and Lefty 3:38
9. if i Needed you 3:41
10. Silver Ships of Andilar 5:06
11. Heavenly Houseboat blues 2:51