Here are numbers 1-5:
5. Wham!, Make It Big
It seems that Wham! titled their album as this in order to create a self-fulfilling prophecy. They had already tested the waters with their lukewarm first album, and they came out, pop-music guns-a-blazin' with Make It Big. I don't even need to describe this album because almost every song is burned into the mind of anyone who lived through the eighties: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Everything She Wants," "Freedom" (which, in my opinion is pop perfection), and "Careless Whisper" with the saxophone solo heard 'round the world. Despite being pure pop, George Michael's fantastic, smooth singing voice is one of the best of this era. My only question is: what's Andrew Ridgely up to these days?--Robin
4. Bruce Springsteen, Born In The U.S.A.
Bruce Springsteen had this whole other famous life before Born In The U.S.A., but I had no idea. For me, "Dancing In The Dark" was my introduction to The Boss. But even though his album contained a few '80s pop songs, it also had The Boss's trademark stories and statements. ("Born In The U.S.A." is not quite the pro-America anthem it appears to be.) Born In The U.S.A. was my gateway to Springsteen and I'll always dig it for that.--Daddy Geek Boy
3. Madonna, Like A Virgin
Madonna followed up her self-titled debut album a year later with Like A Virgin. The album has Madonna classics like "Like a Virgin" and "Material Girl," but also has lesser-known but excellent songs like "Love Don't Live Here Anymore," and" "Dress You Up," and proved that Madonna had no sophomore slump. Instead, it cemented her place in the pantheon of '80s superstars.--Archphoenix
2. Van Halen, 1984
This was Van Halen's final album with its original lineup of David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, and brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen. It was also my favorite album from the guys. A lot of people hated the synth that Eddie added to the album, but as a synth player myself, I loved it! From the first time I heard the beginning of "Jump," I was psyched for the band's new direction. In addition to "Jump," the album also boasted the synth-heavy "I'll Wait;" "Panama," which contained one of the greatest opening guitar riffs in rock 'n' roll; and "Hot For Teacher," which had one of the absolute greatest music videos of the MTV era. Who among us didn't want to be David Lee Roth after hearing this album and seeing these
1. Prince And The Revolution, Purple Rain Soundtrack
One can't possibly talk about this album without talking about the film "experience." The album is basically the same thing as the movie, except listening to the album, you don't have to experience the doll collection in the basement, Prince talking through puppets, and the awkward chemistry with Apollonia. From the moment you hear the organ and Dearly beloved..., the opening to "Let's Go Crazy", you know this is a ride you will never forget. The album showcases Prince's phenomenal songwriting abilities, especially his range. "Darling Nikki" is playful, "When Doves Cry" is artful and dark. The album only gets better when you see the live performances from the movie. My only gripe is that this soundtrack did not include Apollonia 6's song "Sex Shooter."--Robin| << Nos. 6-10 |
