Discovolante's Best of: 1987
From the beginning of the year to the end, via the Sputnik release calendar. |
| 1 |  | Grafik
Leyndarmal
In 1987, Icelandic band Grafik released their most popular album to date, "Leyndarmal", which would eventually end up being their final one as well. Although they released four albums before, "Leyndarmal" is definitely the most collected and focused the band has ever sounded, having a mature pop sound that is divine. A solid case of going out with a bang. |
| 2 |  | Snakefinger
Night of Desirable Objects
The late great Snakefinger's final album, "Night of Desirable Objects", was his true magnum opus. Odd and yet still somehow blending together wonderfully, the album explores a wide variety of genres, and is a total trip to listen to. |
| 3 |  | Big Black
Songs About Fucking
Although not necessarily up to the standard of "Atomizer" (at least in my opinion), Big Black's second and final album "Songs About Fucking" is still a gripping, hell of a listen. |
| 4 |  | Skinny Puppy
Cleanse Fold and Manipulate
When Skinny Puppy arrived in the mid 80s, their uncompromising, chilling sound and macabre lyrics was like nothing else the underground electronica scene had ever seen before. Although they released two other albums before, in my opinion, Skinny Puppy really came into their own on their third album, "Cleanse Fold and Manipulate". It's an urgent, hypnotic album that relishes in gruesome realities, and it can be a bit overwhelming at times, but damn is it good. |
| 5 |  | Philippine Violators
At Large!
Raw and in-your-face as late 80s punk can be, Philippine Violators (also known as Phil. Violators or simply Violators) was one of the earliest punk bands in their home country, alongside Dead Ends and Wuds. But what separates the Philippine Violators from the others is primarily their debut album, "At Large!". It's low-budget and angsty as hell with an undeniable fun appeal to it, and it's a shame they would never really match its energy and strong re-listenability. |
| 6 |  | Identity Crisis
...Tale of Two
If Philippine Violators were on the end of the spectrum of charming amateurism, Identity Crisis were on the completely opposite end. Their 1987 debut "...Tale of Two" remains a beloved and groundbreaking piece of Filipino music as a whole, with a superb goth synthpop sound that sounds similar to what was going on in the new romantic scene around this time. |
| 7 |  | Kool Moe Dee
How Ya Like Me Now
Already a hip hop veteran at this point with over a decade of experience under his belt, Kool Moe Dee hit his all time peak with the solid gold classic "How Ya Like Me Now". His cocky swagger never sounded better, with the calm, cool and collected self-titled diss track towards LL Cool J going down in music history as one of the greatest diss songs ever. |
| 8 |  | Beyond (HK)
Yong Yuan Deng Dai (Forever Waiting)
Hong Kong band Beyond is by-large considered to be one of the most legendary bands to emerge from the country ever. Their modern sound was immensely innovative, as well as their sound, which managed to be heavy at a certain moment (especially earlier on), and pop brilliance the next. Although they released an album before this, I believe their true starting moment was their 1987 EP "Forever Waiting" (with the Chinese title being romanized as "Yong Yuan Deng Dai"), which is absolutely one of their finest albums in their vast catalog. It has an incredibly catchy sound that is poppy without being overboard, with a solid hard center. Early evidence that Beyond would indeed be one of the best to ever do it from Hong Kong. |
| 9 |  | The Dawn
The Dawn
The Dawn were another early groundbreaking band in the Filipino music scene, who, after just two years together, would hit it out the park with their very first release, which they would never top. On that very self-titled album, the sound is both melodic and captivating, creating a sort of dreamlike lucidity on many of the songs on the EP that is just genius. A daring, ridiculously unique album that just may very be the best Filipino release of the 80s. |
| 10 |  | Public Enemy
Yo! Bum Rush the Show
One of the most solid and great hip hop debut albums in history. The live vocals of Chuck D is also an effect that I particularly enjoy on this album. |
| 11 |  | The Cure
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
Often considered to be the poppiest The Cure has ever sounded, "Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me" is further proof that they were one of the most diverse and greatest bands of their time by far. |
| 12 |  | Butthole Surfers
Locust Abortion Technician
One of the best Butthole Surfers albums, and probably one of the most cutting edge albums of the decade. |
| 13 |  | Mr. Bungle
Bowel Of Chiley
A brilliant demo and one that officially set up Mr. Bungle on the path to become one of the best bands ever. |
| 14 |  | Boogie Down Productions
Criminal Minded
Street smart and possibly KRS-One's finest moment in his career, "Criminal Minded" is an absolute rap classic that is one of the greatest hip hop albums of not just the 80s, but of all time. |
| 15 |  | Anthrax
Among the Living
Probably the greatest thrash album ever. |
| 16 |  | King Diamond
Abigail
The album that made King Diamond one of the very best storytellers in heavy metal. |
| 17 |  | Eric B and Rakim
Paid in Full
One of the greatest hip hop duos ever, one of the greatest hip hop albums ever. Everything is aligned just right. |
| 18 |  | Michael Jackson
Bad
A brilliant pop album that is just... perfection. I actually prefer it over "Thriller", which is an opinion... that very few share, I believe lol. |
| 19 |  | New Order
Substance
A splendid best-of collection that is topped off with my personal favorite track (and first) of theirs, "True Faith". |
| 20 |  | Overkill
Taking Over
One of the best evolutions in metal history, "Taking Over" takes all the potential that their debut "Feel the Fire" had and amplifies it full max. Possibly the most underrated thrash album of the 80s. |
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