great albums from your past that you can now say "i was right!" about

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I'm starting to think that my taste in music has never been better than it was in elementary school (fall '81 - summer '88). All my old pop/dance/hip-hop favorites from that era just sparkle and radiate when I listen to them again now. This is no surprise; I've always loved pop music and feel no need to reassess it or reclaim it. But at the moment I need it more than want it, so I've totally thrown myself into a great big toxic vat of it and today I pulled Exposé's Exposure out of the collection.

And it's GORGEOUS. You know, with all the records I've sold/traded/given away/broken in two out of frustration since I started loving music, this record has stuck by me. I'm glad. It's sort of depressing, though... I've bought thousands of albums and schooled myself in dozens upon dozens of genres, and it all comes back around to a record I got when I was eleven.

But I was right all along.

You?

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:06 (twenty-two years ago)

gary numan!

― Tad (llamasfur), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Thrush Hermit - Clayton Park, Im winning it converts one by one.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:10 (twenty-two years ago)

um, Blowout Comb seems to be gaining more respect

*awaits onslaught of Blowout Comb haters*

I liked Beck's first album when everyone thought he was just a one-hit wonder

― oops (Oops), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

oh yeah ... young marble giants. then i came to ILM, found much young marble giants love, and i knew that i was right all along.

i'm waiting for the day when it's "cool" to admit to liking Zappa, FWIW.

― Tad (llamasfur), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Blowout Comb is one of my top ten albums and always has been

― JasonD (JasonD), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Blowout Comb is one of the two hip-hop cd's I own. BC rulez!

― Mike Taylor (mjt), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:28 (twenty-two years ago)

The Mills Brothers

― christoff (christoff), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:32 (twenty-two years ago)

I am redeemed. Yay!

― oops (Oops), Friday, 28 February 2003 20:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I should have kept my copy of Blowout Comb, it sounds like. :-(

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 February 2003 21:11 (twenty-two years ago)

(And to answer the question, Hysteria, natch.)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 February 2003 21:11 (twenty-two years ago)

dave clark 5. Found a sleeveless vinyl copy of 'coast to cost' in 1976 sitting in the basement. They're still one of my favorite bands.

― lawrence kansas (lawrence kansas), Friday, 28 February 2003 21:13 (twenty-two years ago)

coast to coast

― lawrence kansas (lawrence kansas), Friday, 28 February 2003 21:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Ned, do you listen to Hysteria all the way through a lot?

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Friday, 28 February 2003 21:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I break it out every so often, sure. Holds up brilliantly!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 February 2003 21:21 (twenty-two years ago)

One more vote for Blowout Comb. I never understood why people hated it...the faux-boheme stylings of its predecessor always seemed more hateworthy.

― M Specktor (M Specktor), Friday, 28 February 2003 21:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Cosmic Thing, B-52's.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 28 February 2003 22:05 (twenty-two years ago)

I just listened to what everyone else was listening to in 1988 (when I was 11), f'r instance much of the above. I was just beginning to acquire something resembling conscious "taste"--I was beginning to like New Order and Depeche Mode and scribbled "new wave" all over my supplies box at school. But most of the things I'm passionate about now I wouldn't have known existed at age 11. And now I have no special fondness for music of the 80s.

However: When I was in college I was in the radio station lounge praising Expose to the high heavens and this really cute and sweet DJ played several of their songs on the air for me and I got all tongue-twisted and basically couldn't talk to her again for a year.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 28 February 2003 22:11 (twenty-two years ago)

That said what do you think of Free to Be You and Me?

― Amateurist (amateurist), Friday, 28 February 2003 22:13 (twenty-two years ago)

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.

Seriously, that's a sweet little story. :-) And yeah, "Point of No Return" in particular is pretty darn well impeccable. And of course there's the fact that Expose's producer was on the basis of such goodness specifically asked by the Pet Shop Boys to be the producer/co-writer for "Domino Dancing," which despite what a Dearly Belov'd Young Man in Boston thinks is ONE OF THEIR GREATEST SONGS EVER thank you...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 February 2003 22:14 (twenty-two years ago)

As for Free to Be, refer to That Essay of Mine. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 February 2003 22:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Kitchens of Distinction "Love Is Hell"

― donut bitch (donut), Saturday, 1 March 2003 03:54 (twenty-two years ago)

THe only good thing about "Domino Dancing" is "Don Juan". God, if EVER two songs on a single should have been reversed...

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Saturday, 1 March 2003 03:57 (twenty-two years ago)

(My answer to the thread would by _Rhythm Of Youth_ by Men Without Hats, which I got on cassette when I was 8.)

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Saturday, 1 March 2003 03:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Ned, are you talking about Human League or Def Leppard?

― paul cox (paul cox), Saturday, 1 March 2003 04:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Def Leppard.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 1 March 2003 04:12 (twenty-two years ago)

In grade 7, I happened to find a tape of The Lilac Time's Astronauts album. I had no idea what it was, I can't recall how I can across it, but I listened to it and loved it. It soundtracked a good two years of my life, and all the while I had no clue who the band was, where they came from, or anything.

Since then I've tracked them down, fallen for most of Duffy's oeuvre, etc. but I'm glad to say i knew it first in grade 7.

― derrick (derrick), Saturday, 1 March 2003 08:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Expose JBR? that the disc thats kind of orange/yellow cover, three chicks, one has maybe a striped t on? i will find it.

(the great thing about ILM is so many people go "That was great!" and I think...was it? yeah! I have that!)

― gaz (gaz), Saturday, 1 March 2003 09:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Maybe I'm thinking too much about this but I don't really know, I saw the "Love Bites" video last week and actually hated it. I bought the album back maybe a year and a half ago influenced by nostalgia, Accidental Evolution, and the general critical acclaim and fondness on this board. The production is the most notable thing about it, which kept me interested for a while. I'll give props for the intros ("Women", "Rocket", "Gods of War") and the "Rocket" breakdown. Some of the songs are decent as catchy stomp/chants. Ultimately, though, I don't think it's that consistent. Most of the songs don't even really feel like fully written melodies or anything, more like a couple cliched rock verses and a big chanted chorus with big production. I don't think there's anything on there that touches, say, anything on Bat Out of Hell or "More Than a Feeling" or even a "Blue Collar Man" or "Don't Stop Believin'" or "Big City Nights" or "Heaven" or "Livin' On a Prayer". I think Def Leppard are maybe overrated.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Saturday, 1 March 2003 18:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Faith no More's Angel Dust and Slayer's Reign in Blood. I especially loved the FNM record as the inside booklet shows quite a bit of wear from me taking it in and out all the time. Love the artwork on both for very different reasons too.

― original bgm, Saturday, 1 March 2003 18:47 (twenty-two years ago)

damn thee, Sundar! thou est wrong! Though "Love Bites" is a lot better without its video.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 1 March 2003 19:10 (twenty-two years ago)

When I was 10, though, the album did feel like commanding a spaceship in an intergalactic battle, I'll give it that. Not understanding what they were singing about probably helped.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Saturday, 1 March 2003 19:28 (twenty-two years ago)

(Gar, just thinking about it has made me want to listen to "Pour Some Sugar On Me" when I get home.)

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Saturday, 1 March 2003 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

it begins...it actually took me a few listens to really get into the glory. My least favorite tracks are probably "Women" and "Love And Affection". Faves are...the rest! Though "Hysteria" and "Love Bites" are probably my personal peaks, with special mention to "Rocket" and...shit, see I can't start that because then I just list every track.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 1 March 2003 19:31 (twenty-two years ago)

"Hysteria" is a fantastic song.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Saturday, 1 March 2003 20:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I picked up that Expose LP in Princeton for $1. Same day as I got Nu Shooz "Poolside" for $1, the Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam LP, and closed out my Rod Stewart collection for $3. All records are great but the dollar I spent on them makes them even better.

My roommate had been schooling me on Expose, who I somehow shut out of my musical past along with Starpoint and the Jets and the Eurythmics and Koncan. That record is pretty surprising.

― mosurock (mosurock), Saturday, 1 March 2003 20:58 (twenty-two years ago)

I will SWEAR by the first Jets album. Especially "Curiosity".

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Saturday, 1 March 2003 21:05 (twenty-two years ago)

The Jets...I saw the video for "Crush On You" recently on VH1 Classic and some ballad where the girl worked at a diner. I was surprised how decent it was. The singer especially has a very sweet voice, very human. Plus the whole family have very genuine smiles.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 1 March 2003 21:18 (twenty-two years ago)

I loveded the Jets all the way.

I want credit for claiming, in my h.s. newspaper music column, that The Lexicon of Love was the best album of 1982. Of course, I have to take some lumps, because Security was co-album of the year in my book...but that was a pretty great album.

In general, my tastes were better/truer/less bullshitty back then. Probably because I heard fewer records and listened to the radio more.

― Neudonym, Sunday, 2 March 2003 02:12 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think there's anything on there that touches, say..."Livin' On a Prayer".

I disown you.

My least favorite tracks are probably "Women" and "Love And Affection". Faves are...the rest!

Now we're talking (I actually like "Women" but it was a weirdass first single). Secret cult fave from the album: "Run Riot." Missing link of fake insurrection classic between "Teenage Rampage" and, I dunno, "Firestarter" or something.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 2 March 2003 02:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I was fanatical about the B52's first album when that came out.

― Dave Fischer, Sunday, 2 March 2003 02:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Disown me???

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Sunday, 2 March 2003 08:05 (twenty-two years ago)

"WHAT'S THAT SMELL?"

I always think of dave q whenever I hear Def Leppard, I don't know why

― James Blount, Sunday, 2 March 2003 08:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I won a Jets contest off of Nickelodeon in like 1987 where they gave me a year's supply of Kool-Aid Koolers juice boxes.

Those were really vile after a few days.

― mosurock (mosurock), Sunday, 2 March 2003 08:57 (twenty-two years ago)

That rules.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Sunday, 2 March 2003 08:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I won several Sir Mix-a-Lot cassettes by coming closest to guessing the number of jelly beans in a jar at my junior high cotillion.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Sunday, 2 March 2003 09:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Your junior high posse was, indeed, on Broadway. In a hooptie. With back.

― Neudonym, Sunday, 2 March 2003 14:04 (twenty-two years ago)

James, I'm pretty sure that it's actually "What's that spell?" ("Legs! Thighs! What's that spell? WOMEN!")

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Sunday, 2 March 2003 14:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Most of my pre-teen musical taste came from my parents, which is why I thought Taj Mahal was great before I reached junior high (after which I fell under the pernicious influence of Led Zeppelin). I recently listened to a few songs of his - "Why Did You Have To Desert Me?", "Clara (St. Kitts Woman)", "Take a Giant Step" - and realized, after more than a decade and a half of hearing them, that they were some of the best blues and blues-styled songs recorded in that particular time period.

And then I found out he contributed percussion to Safe as Milk. Good lord.

― Nate Patrin (Nate Patrin), Sunday, 2 March 2003 15:27 (twenty-two years ago)

if sundar is correct Joe Elliot has broken my heart, again

― James Blount (James Blount), Sunday, 2 March 2003 17:11 (twenty-two years ago)

J Beez Wit Da Remedy.

They did the Anti-Pop thing years ahead of APC.

― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Sunday, 2 March 2003 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

A lot actually. But one of my early 80s fave albums that has dated better than most was Thompson Twins' "Quick Step And Sidekick". Terribly underrated album...

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 3 March 2003 02:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I still hope that at some point I'll be vindicated about The Cars' Panorama album - a very odd sort of retrofuture album. It's like their version of Forever Alien

― Chris Barrus (xibalba), Monday, 3 March 2003 21:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Lucas - Lucacentric

Though it's got some crappers on it, I was amazed to dig it out of my closet having not listened to it for at least 6 years and find some amazing beautiful songs on it, like (okay, I don't remember the title DAMNIT) the one that goes "I'm born when I wake up in the morn and I feel a new day sunray time to put it on" and such. I'm amazed I forgot about this guy. Very good shit.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 3 March 2003 21:18 (twenty-two years ago)

I've bought thousands of albums and schooled myself in dozens upon dozens of genres, and it all comes back around to a record I got when I was eleven.

Records I owned at age 11...

Fishbone's self-titled, In Your Face, Truth and Soul

They Might Be Giants' self-titled, Lincoln

Dead Milkmen's Big Lizard..., Beelzebubba

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince...whichever one had "Parents Just Don't Understand"

REM's Murmur, Green

...and whatever that Christmas album was with Run-DMC's "Christmas in Queens" on it.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 3 March 2003 21:21 (twenty-two years ago)

A Very Special Christmas, methinks

― oops (Oops), Monday, 3 March 2003 22:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I seem to be channelling my inner goth lately. Recent and completely unrelated revisitations to The Banshees "Kiss In The Dreamhouse" and The Sisters Of Mercy's "Floodland" proved highly pleasurable.

― Nathan Webb (Nathan Webb), Monday, 3 March 2003 22:50 (twenty-two years ago)

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