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Hot Shoes, Burnin’ Down the Avenue
Ok, so here’s where I expect things will get testy. I’m guessing that most of the readership of this blog hadn’t been born yet in the 60’s, so it was hard to get too worked up about that list. And while many (or most) of us may have been alive during the 70’s, we hadn’t yet reached that age when obsessive music listening grips one.
But most of us passed through our formative rock and roll years in the 80’s (or possibly 90’s.) Those choices stay with one longer and often shape the rest of one’s music-listening life. It’s harder to be neutral and objective about those years.
Take me, for instance. I hated most of the popular music during the 1980’s, the decade in which I spent my teens. With the notable exceptions of REM, The Police, and U2, none of the acts listed below were multi-platinum. (Several bands on the list did go on to huge sales during the following decade, but during the 80’s, they were cult favorites at best.)
You will also note the total absence of any music from Prince. Since absolutely everyone I know worships and adores Prince and thinks the sun shines out of his ass, I expect this will elicit some anger. Look, people, I get it: he’s a genius. He must be, because everybody says so, and everybody is never, ever wrong. His shit just never clicked for me, ok? It’s not a crime, you know.
There is, however, another Neil Young album, just like there were Neil Young albums in the 60’s and 70’s lists, and just like there will be at least one in the 90’s list. Why? Because Neil Young has been around for a very, very long time, and he’s fucking awesome. That’s why.
Anyhooo….
Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking
Husker Du – Zen Arcade
Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back
Metallica – Master of Puppets
The Police – Synchronicity
Celtic Frost – Into the Pandemonium
U2 – War
Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction
REM – Document
The Pixies – Doolittle
Motorhead – Ace of Spades
The Pretenders – Learning to Crawl
Run-D.M.C. – Raising Hell
Slayer – Reign in Blood
The Replacements – Let it Be
Neil Young – Freedom
Faith No More – The Real Thing
Ministry – The Land of Rape and Honey
Living Colour – Vivid
The Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique
Camper Van Beethoven – Key Lime Pie
The Dead Milkmen – Beelzebubba
AC/DC – Back in Black
Ultramagnetic MC’s – Critical Beatdown
Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine
