Junkyard
Birthday Party
1982
Tracks
1. Blast Off
2. She's Hit
3. Dead Joe
4. The Dim Locator
5. Hamlet (Pow, Pow, Pow)
6. Several Sins
7. Big-Jesus-Trash-Can
8. Kiss Me Black
9. 6" Gold Blade
10. Kewpie Doll
11. Junkyard
I really thought that after "Thriller" I would be accepting of anything. Well, once again, the List proved me wrong. These are dark times, and I don't think the next album will likely improve the situation.
Well, we can tell from the cover art that I am not the target demographic for this album. I am not sure who is...angry teenage boys perhaps. This was just unpleasant to listen to. I'm not saying every album has to be Duran Duran-level upbeat but it was moody without much substance, at least to me. It might appeal to some people, but I hope we can at least agree that this album is probably only accessible to a small group of people.
I miss "Thriller."
RATING: 2/5
Thriller
Michael Jackson
1982
Tracks
1. Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
2. Baby Be Mine
3. Girl Is Mine
4. Thriller
5. Beat It
6. Billie Jean
7. Human Nature
8. PYT (Pretty Young Thing)
9. Lady In My Life
With so many obscure albums on The List, we finally reach one that everyone has heard of. And it's a lot worse than the obscure albums.
I just read that this is the best selling album of all time, which is definitely surprising. I am not saying there are no good songs. I've always like "Human Nature" and well...that's about it for this album. "PYT" just creeps me out in hindsight, "Thriller" is cheesy as fuck (although I am sure some would argue that's what is fun about it), and I find "Billie Jean" to be...upsetting.
I know a lot of my Michael Jackson related revulsion comes from what came out in later years. But even disregarding that, the childlike voice is creepy. Definitely skippable.
RATING: 2/5
Rip It Up
Orange Juice
1982
Tracks
1. Rip It Up
2. Mud In Your Eye
3. Breakfast Time
4. Flesh Of My Flesh
5. Hokoyo
6. Million Pleading Faces
7. Turn Away
8. I Can't Help Myself
9. Louise Louise
10. Tenterhooks
Why do I keep listening to the rereleases of these albums? It's always worse than the original. It's like movie reboots and sequels. Why can't they leave well enough alone? Instead they had to include this extra strange track where the band jokes about touching kids? Considering the next album on this List, this might be a case of ominous foreshadowing.
Other than that, this was a perfectly respectable album. Perhaps a little generic and forgettable, but enjoyable nonetheless. With some notable exceptions, there haven't been a lot of risk taking albums lately. Child molestation references outside.
Still worth listening to, but don't expect to be wowed.
RATING: 3/5
The Dreaming
Kate Bush
1982
Tracks
1. Sat In Your Lap
2. There Goes A Tenner
3. Pull Out The Pin
4. Suspended In Gaffa
5. Leave It Open
6. Dreamin'
7. Night Of The Swallow
8. All The Love
9. Houdini
10. Get Out Of My House
Well, I knew I would like this, as I have always had fun with angsty women. Speaking of which, I have gotten into Camp Cope lately, which is a band that I am sure was heavily influenced by Kate Bush.
Anyway, I love unusual female voices (I miss the days when Nico was on this blog) so this was quite enjoyable for me. More than that, her lyrics were very poetic and beautiful. I will say that I enjoyed brooding Kate more than angry Kate; I just felt that melancholy suited her voice better.
One more album to go before Thriller. Hold onto your butts.
RATING: 4/5
