158. Morrissey, Viva Hate (1988) The ink on the death certificate of the Smiths was still moist when the group’s lead singer, lengthily known as Steve Patrick Morrissey, released his full-length solo debut, Viva Hate. For the faithful, who saw … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #158 to #156
161. Talking Heads, True Stories (1986) David Byrne wanted to make a movie. The Talking Heads frontman had long held creative aspirations beyond the dazzling art rock he made with cohorts Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth, and the … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #161 to #159
164. Billy Bragg, Talking with the Taxman About Poetry (1986) “I’m a firm believer that by the third album, you have to show some signs of progression,” Billy Bragg said. “With the first couple of LPs, you’re just carving out … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #164 to #162
167. Ramones, End of the Century (1980) “This is the best album we’ve done,” Joey Ramone proclaimed of End of the Century on the eve of its release. “It’s so loud that flies were having heart attacks during the playbacks.” … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #167 to #165
170. Psychedelic Furs, Midnight to Midnight (1987) The fall of 1986 would have been an opportune time for the Psychedelic Furs to release a new album. In the spring, they’d received the biggest boost of their career when the song … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #170 to #168
173. Steve Forbert, Jackrabbit Slim (1979) Like a lot of young songwriters, Steve Forbert mostly told his own story on his debut LP, Alive on Arrival. A year later, when it was time to deliver his sophomore effort, the Meridian, … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #173 to #171
176. Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Goodbye Cruel World (1984) Elvis Costello was through with the Attractions. The relationship between Costello and his backing back had been souring for some time, and he reached the conclusion that continuing on was … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #176 to #174
179. Jane’s Addiction, Nothing’s Shocking (1988) The cover of Nothing’s Shocking, the second LP from Jane’s Addiction, puts irony to the album’s title, which was presumably always the intent. Polymathic creator Perry Farrell, the band’s frontman, rendered a sculpture of … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #179 to #177
182. The Three O’Clock, Arrive without Travelling (1985) After the Three O’Clock’s 1983 album, Sixteen Tambourines, grabbed the attention of student programmers, I.R.S. Records came calling. Perhaps no other label was so sharply focused on assembling a roster of acts … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #182 to #180
185. Big Country, Steeltown (1984) Big Country has the kind of debut album a rock act longs for. Boosted in part by the surging influence of the new cable network MTV, The Crossing and its single “In a Big Country” … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #185 to #183
Coffee for Two 