Category Archives: 1986

1986

Mixes By Year: 1986 Most Recommended Albums

1986- I was finishing middle school and starting high school. New Wave was completely dead and pop music mostly sucked- with a few notable exceptions. I was primarily listening to Heavy Metal, branching out into Classic Rock bit by bit, starting out by embracing the Beatles, The Who, The Stones. ’86 was a huge year for Metal. It was the first year it really began to dominate the rock landscape with huge hit albums like Bon Jovi’s “Slippery When Wet”, Poison’s “Look What the Cat Dragged In”, Europe’s “The Final Countdown” & Cinderella’s “Night Songs”. In other words- it’s when Metal became hair metal. Those bands were not my bag (save Cinderella for a short time), but luckily for me ’86 was also an enormous year for Thrash metal. The holy trinity was released in ’88- Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, Slayer’s “Reign In Blood” and Megadeth’s “Peace Sells But Who’s Buying”. The battle lines were drawn- though I liked pop metal groups like Def Leppard & Ratt and later loved Guns N’ Roses, I was much more inclined to dig the heavier and more real stuff than the image conscious hair bands. Outside of Metal there were some very interesting happenings in rap, as well as techno, underground rock, world music and alternative country, much of which I wouldn’t discover until I was older. The 14 year old boy is usually not the most open-minded of listeners and I was no exception, though I was fortunate enough to grow up in an area with a fantastic Classic Rock station (105.9 WCXR), which put today’s shrunken playlists to shame. Closed-minded or not, it was tough to hear my main metal music on the radio and I was therefore exposed to a massive amount of great rock music from the 60’s and 70’s that was too great for me to deny.

Before 1986 rap music was largely confined to urban areas- mainly New York City, but also Boston, Philadelphia & D.C. among others. Though there were several hit songs on the R&B charts that trickled into the suburbs prior to 1986, like “Rapper’s Delight” or Nucleus’s “Jam On It”, it wasn’t until 1986 that the doorway to the burbs really flew open and rap music would never be the same for it. The reason behind the explosion is namely two albums- Run-DMC’s “Raising Hell” and The Beastie Boys “License To Ill”. Though “Raising Hell” was DMC’s 3rd album and they had already had several videos air on MTV, their amount of exposure & airplay went into the stratosphere after “Hell”, which had the groundbreaking “Walk This Way” video with Aerosmith (even if it’s far from a great Run-DMC track) along with “It’s Tricky” which actually featured Penn & Teller. They were the first rap group to go platinum and are still known as the first real rap ambassadors to the rest of the world. Their Def Jam label mates, the Beastie Boys, were three white Jewish kids from the New York City area, and became even bigger than Run-DMC. “License To Ill” was played incessantly, by every kid I went to school with, and was the first exposure to rap many of those kids had. Many thought of the Beasties as a novelty act that would be a passing fad but with subsequent releases it became clear that the Boys had tons of talent and interesting ideas to burn. Most of the other great rap in 1986 stayed underground, but a few of the releases are deemed very important in rap’s development. The first Eric B & Rakim single “Eric B Is President/My Melody”, the first Kool G Rap & DJ Polo single “It’s a Demo” & the first Ultramagnetic MC’s single “Ego Trippin’” all came out in 1986. Philly native Schooly-D, often referred to as the first gangsta-rapper, released his two most well known singles “Gucci Time” and “PSK-What Does It Mean?”. Bronx rapper Kool Moe Dee released his first single as a solo artist “Go See the Doctor”, which got much airplay in our baseball team’s locker room at the time.

Techno music, which started in Detroit, was still a fledgling genre, but a few huge early techno classics were released in 1986 like Farley “Jackmaster” Funk’s “Love Can’t Turn Around”, Skipworth & Turner’s “Can’t Give Her Up”, Mr. Fingers “Can You Feel It” and Marshall Jefferson’s “Move Your Body”. Techno was not even used as a term until 1988, so the above tracks were caught in that period after disco and electro and before the Rave explosion of the late 80’s/early 90’s, but they were all crucial to dance music’s development. Though New Wave music was by and large off the pop charts by ’86, creating a gaping hole in quality pop music in my opinion, synth-pop, an offshoot of New Wave, was still going fairly strong. The great New Order released their “Brotherhood” album containing one of their biggest hits yet “Bizarre Love Triangle”. The overtly gay Pet Shop Boys released their brilliant first set of singles, which includes “Suburbia” and “West End Girls”, still likely their most well known song. Depeche Mode’s “Black Celebration” was their most well put together album yet and continued to increase their profile. OMD had the biggest hit of their career with “If You Leave”. The Eurythmics continued to have hits with “When Tomorrow Comes” and “Missionary Man”. Duran Duran released their first album as a trio, “Notorious”, which was not a monster hit, but did contain the very good title song and the stellar single “Skin Trade”. Talk Talk, a former 2nd teir New Wave band released their first masterpiece “The Colour Of Spring”. The band is still largely unknown to most people. After the track “It’s My Life” (later covered by No Doubt) in 1984 they never again went near the pop charts, as the majority of their songs eclipsed 6 minutes in length.

1986 was not a good year for blockbuster albums. After huge successes in the earlier 80’s like “Thriller”, “Purple Rain”, “Sports”, “Like a Virgin” and “Born In the USA” things started to die down a bit. Madonna did release her very successful third album “True Blue”, which contained many hit singles, but her career was already well established by ’86. Prince’s “Parade” album was solid but certainly a lesser album sandwiched between “Purple Rain” and 1987’s “Sign O the Times”- though it does contain the immaculate “Kiss” single. I can think of three notable exceptions. Michael Jackson’s sister Janet released her album “Control”, not her debut, but her first artistic triumph and a launching pad to stardom. It was a breath of fresh air in a very bad year for R&B (outside of the rap world and maybe Cameo’s “Word Up”). The other two exceptions were by elder statesmen Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon. Gabriel’s “So” is still the standout album and biggest seller of his solo career and Paul Simon’s “Graceland” nearly singlehandedly sparked the western world’s interest in ‘World’ (read: African) music. “Graceland” is one of the best albums of Simon’s amazing career as well and continues to get better every time I play it.

Outside of the synth-pop realm, there was also plenty of great underground rock being made. England gave us The Smiths “Queen Is Dead”, the highlight of their whole career and one of the best albums of the decade. XTC’s “Skylarking” is likely their best as well. Elvis Costello gave us two albums. “Blood & Chocolate” was his return to form with longtime band the Attractions & “King of America”, where he assembled a band of legendary American musicians to play and record with. Australia’s still unheralded Go-Betweens released “The Liberty Belle & the Diamond Express”, my favorite of their albums. Check out the near perfect song “Spring Rain”, which will hopefully cause you to dabble further in their catalog. New England band Throwing Muses, fronted by step sisters Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donnelly released their self-titled debut, which wouldn’t make much of a dent outside of college radio, but would prove very influential to likeminded female centric, artsy rock bands with a feminist bent. Athens, Georgia band R.E.M. would continue to raise their profile with the heavier “Life’s Rich Pageant”, which would be their last album without an actual top 40 hit on it. Other great albums to come out in ’86 were Love & Rockets “Express” and The Smithereens “Especially for You”, which would burn up college radio but go largely unknown outside of it.

Some important, heavier records were release outside of the Trash Metal realm in ’86 as well. Sonic Youth’s “EVOL” really put the group on the map outside of the experimental New York City noise scene and contained their best song to date- “Expressway to Yr. Skull” (AKA Madonna, Sean & Me). Chicago Industrial sounding noise band Big Black released their “Atomizer” album. Washington D.C.’s Bad Brains released their third album, the much loved “I Against I”. Minneapolis’s Husker Du released “Candy Apple Grey”, which continued to make them one of the biggest names in the punk underground.

Lastly there were some interesting things going on in Country music in 1986. The Nashville scene had become fairly stale, which helped bring about the Neo-Traditionalist approach to the music- taking things back to their origins and roots and eschewing the gloss and overproduction of so much modern country at the time. Dwight Yoakam’s debut “Guitars, Cadillacs” epitomized the approach and to a lesser extent the hugely successful Randy Travis also too a page from the approach. Country rebel Steve Earle released his debut “Guitar Town” which would quickly become one of the early touchstones for the alt-country movement, which combined underground rock music with outré country. Though not country some other groups who successfully dabbled in roots music were Australian band The Triffids & Crowded House as well as Wisconsinites the BoDeans.

1986 is not close to one of my favorite years but it was an important one. Many underground bands set the table at college radio but the alternative rock explosion of the early 90’s, and any year containing albums as diverse and excellent as “Master of Puppets”, “So”, “Queen Is Dead”, “Control”, “License to Ill” and “Graceland” can’t be too bad. My mantra since starting this project is that every music year is a great music year- it’s just that some years are greater than others. 1986 proves both rules.

 

 

RUN-DMC- RAISING HELL
Run-DMC_Raising Hell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Raising Hell – Run-DMC
Buy Raising Hell [Explicit] Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PETER GABRIEL- SO
Peter Gabriel_So

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy So (Special Edition) – Peter Gabriel
Buy So (25th Anniversary Remaster) Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS- BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE
Elvis Costello_Blood and Chocolate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Blood and Chocolate – Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Buy Blood And Chocolate Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SLAYER- REIGN IN BLOOD
Slayer_Reign In Blood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Reign In Blood – Slayer
Buy Reign In Blood (Expanded) [Explicit] Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SMITHS- QUEEN IS DEAD
The Smiths_The Queen is Dead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy The Queen Is Dead (Remastered By Johnny Marr) – The Smiths
Buy The Queen Is Dead Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SONIC YOUTH- EVOL
Sonic Youth_Evol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Evol – Sonic Youth
Buy Evol Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

METALLICA- MASTER OF PUPPETS
Metallica_Master of Puppets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Master of Puppets – Metallica
Buy Master Of Puppets Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JANET JACKSON- CONTROL
Janet Jackson_Control

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Control – Janet Jackson
Buy Control Amazon
 

 

 

 

 

 

R.E.M.- LIFE’S RICH PAGEANT
R.E.M._Life's Rich Pageant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Life’s Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition) – R.E.M.
Buy Life’s Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition) Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TALK TALK- THE COLOUR OF SPRING
Talk Talk_The Colour Of Spring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy The Colour of Spring – Talk Talk
Buy The Colour Of Spring Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAUL SIMON- GRACELAND
Paul Simon_Graceland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Graceland (25th Anniversary Edition) – Paul Simon
Buy Graceland 25th Anniversary Edition (Amazon Exclusive Version) Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XTC- SKYLARKING
XTC_Skylarking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Skylarking – XTC
Buy Skylarking Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE GO-BETWEENS- LIBERTY BELLE & THE DIAMOND EXPRESS
The Go-Betweens_Liberty and the Black Diamond Express

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express – The Go-Betweens
Buy Liberty Belle And The Black Diamond Express Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOVE & ROCKETS- EXPRESS
Love & Rockets_Express

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Express (Remastered) – Love and Rockets
Buy Express Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEVE EARLE- GUITAR TOWN
Steve Earle_Guitar Town

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Guitar Town – Steve Earle
Buy Guitar Town (Deluxe) Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THROWING MUSES- THROWING MUSES
ThrowinG MUSES_Throwing Muses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Album not available via iTunes
Buy In a Doghouse Amazon                                                      *Full “Throwing Muses album is on this compilation
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BEASTIE BOYS- LICENSE TO ILL

The Beastie Boys_License To Ill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Licensed to Ill – Beastie Boys
Buy Licensed To Ill Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SMITHEREENS- ESPECIALLY FOR YOU
The Smithereens_Especially For You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Especially for You – The Smithereens
Buy Especially For You Amazon

 

 

 
DWIGHT YOAKAM- GUITARS, CADILLACS…

Dwight Yoakam_Guitars, Cadillacs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (Expanded Version) – Dwight Yoakam
Buy Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAD BRAINS- I AGAINST I

Bad Brains_I Against I

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy I Against I – Bad Brains

Buy I Against I Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

THE INDESTRUCTIBLE BEAT OF SOWETO  (BONUS COMPILATION)

The Indestructible Beat of Soweto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buy The Indestructible Beat of Soweto – Volume One – Various Artists
Buy The Indestructible Beat of Soweto – Volume One Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 1

Best of 1986 Volume 1 (1/5/03)

1.  The Beastie Boys- Rhymin’ & Stealin’

Buy Rhymin’ and Stealin’ – Licensed to Ill
Buy Rhymin & StealinAmazon

2.  Run-DMC- Raising Hell

Buy Raising Hell – Raising Hell
Buy Raising HellAmazon

3.  Metallica- Master of Puppets

Buy Master of Puppets – Master of Puppets
*Track not available via Amazon

4.  Husker Du- Sorry Somehow

Buy Sorry Somehow – Candy Apple Grey
Buy Sorry SomehowAmazon

5.  Billy Bragg- Levi Stubb’s Tears

Buy Levi Stubbs’ Tears – Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
*Track not available via Amazon

6.  The Go-Betweens- Spring Rain

Buy Spring Rain – Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
*Track not available via Amazon

7.  Peter Gabriel- In Your Eyes

Buy In Your Eyes – So (Special Edition)
Buy In Your Eyes (2012 – Remaster)Amazon

8.  Elvis Costello & the Attractions- I Want You

Buy I Want You – Blood and Chocolate
Buy I Want You (Album Version)Amazon

9.  Depeche Mode- A Question Of Lust

Buy A Question of Lust – Black Celebration
Buy A Question Of Lust (Album Version)Amazon

10.  New Order- Bizarre Love Triangle

Buy Bizarre Love Triangle – Brotherhood
Buy Bizarre Love TriangleAmazon

11.  OMD- If You Leave

Buy If You Leave – The OMD Singles
Buy If You LeaveAmazon

12.  Paul Simon- Boy In the Bubble

Buy The Boy In the Bubble – Graceland (25th Anniversary Edition)
Buy The Boy In The BubbleAmazon

13.  Prince- Kiss

Buy Kiss – Parade (Music from the Motion Picture Under the Cherry Moon)
Buy Kiss (LP Version)Amazon

14.  Eric B & Rakim- Eric B Is President

Buy Eric B. Is President – 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Eric B. & Rakim
Buy Eric B. Is President (Album Version)Amazon

15.  R.E.M.- Fall On Me

Buy Fall On Me – Lifes Rich Pageant
Buy Fall On MeAmazon

16.  XTC- Dear God

Buy Dear God – Skylarking
Buy Dear God (2001 – Remaster)Amazon

17.  The Smiths- There Is a Light That Never Goes Out

BuyThere Is a Light That Never Goes Out – The Queen Is Dead (Remastered By Johnny Marr)
BuyThere Is A Light That Never Goes Out Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 2

Best of 1986 Volume 2 (1/6/03)

1.  R.E.M.- Begin the Begin

Buy Begin The Begin – Lifes Rich Pageant
Buy Begin The BeginAmazon

2.  Love & Rockets- Kundalini Express

Buy Kundalini Express – Express (Remastered)
Buy Kundalini ExpressAmazon

3.  The Smiths- The Boy With the Thorn In His Side

Buy The Boy With the Thorn In His Side – The Queen Is Dead (Remastered By Johnny Marr)
Buy The Boy With The Thorn In His SideAmazon

4.  The Go-Betweens- Head Full Of Steam

Buy Head Full of Steam – Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
Buy Head Full Of SteamAmazon

5.  Elvis Costello & the Attractions- Blue Chair

Buy Blue Chair – Blood and Chocolate
Buy Blue ChairAmazon

6.  Robert Cray Band- Smokin’ Gun

Buy Smoking Gun – Strong Persuader
Buy Smoking GunAmazon

7.  Cameo- Word Up!

Buy Word Up! (7″ Vocal Version) – Word Up!
Buy Word UpAmazon

8.  Janet Jackson- When I Think Of You

Buy When I Think of You – Control
Buy When I Think Of YouAmazon

9.  Run-DMC- It’s Tricky

Buy It’s Tricky – Raising Hell
Buy It’s TrickyAmazon

10.  MC Shan- The Bridge

Buy The Bridge (Original 12″ Version) – Down By the Law (Deluxe Edition)
Buy The Bridge [Original 12″ Version] [Explicit]Amazon

11.  The Beastie Boys- The New Style

Buy The New Style – Licensed to Ill
Buy The New Style Amazon

12.  The BoDeans- She’s a Runaway

Buy She’S a Runaway – Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams
Buy She’s A RunawayAmazon

13.  Paul Simon- I Know What I Know

Buy I Know What I Know (with General M.D. Shirinda & the Gaza Sisters) – Graceland (25th Anniversary Edition)
Buy I Know What I KnowAmazon

14.  Duran Duran- Skin Trade

Buy Skin Trade – Notorious
Buy Skin Trade Amazon

15.  XTC- Earn Enough For Us

Buy Earn Enough for Life – Skylarking
Buy Earn Enough For Us (2001 – Remaster) Amazon

16.  Peter Gabriel (with Kate Bush)- Don’t Give Up

Buy Don’t Give Up – So
Buy Don’t Give Up (2012 – Remaster) Amazon

17.  Madonna- Live to Tell

Buy Live to Tell – True Blue
Buy Live To Tell (Album Version) Amazon

18.  Crowded House- Don’t Dream It’s Over

Buy Don’t Dream It’s Over – Crowded House
Buy Don’t Dream It’s Over Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 3

Best of 1986 Volume 3 (12/4/04)

1.  Run-DMC- Peter Piper

Buy Peter Piper – Raising Hell
Buy Peter Piper Amazon

2.  The Beastie Boys- No Sleep Til’ Brooklyn

Buy No Sleep Till Brooklyn – Licensed to Ill
Buy No Sleep Till Brooklyn Amazon

3.  They Might Be Giants- Don’t Let’s Start

Buy Don’t Let’s Start – They Might Be Giants
Buy Don’t Let’s Start Amazon

4.  Siouxsie & the Banshees- Cities In Dust

Buy Cities in Dust (Single) – The Best of Siouxsie and The Banshees
Buy Cities In Dust Amazon

5.  The Smiths- Panic

Buy Panic – The Sound of the Smiths (Remastered)
Buy Panic Amazon

6.  Elvis Costello- Brilliant Mistake

Buy Brilliant Mistake (Live In Studio) – King of America
Buy Brilliant Mistake Amazon

7.  The Go-Betweens- Apology Accepted

Buy Apology Accepted – Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
Buy Apology Accepted Amazon

8.  Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds- Stranger Than Kindness

Buy The Kindness of Strangers – Murder Ballads (Remastered)
Buy The Kindness Of Strangers (2011 – Remaster) Amazon

9.  Paul Simon- Graceland

Buy Graceland – Graceland (25th Anniversary Edition)
Buy Graceland Amazon

10.  Steve Earle- Guitar Town

Buy Guitar Town – Guitar Town
Buy Guitar TownAmazon

11.  Dwight Yoakam- Guitars, Cadillacs

Buy Guitars, Cadillacs – Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (Expanded Version)
Buy Guitars, Cadillacs (Remastered LP Version) Amazon

12.  R.E.M.- Cuyahoga

Buy Cuyahoga (Remastered) – Life’s Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition)
Buy Cuyahoga Amazon

13.  Throwing Muses- Hate My Way

Buy Hate My Way – Lilliput
Buy Hate My WayAmazon

14.  The Fall- Hey! Luciani!

Buy Hey! Luciani – 458489 A-Sides
Buy Hey! Luciani Amazon

15.  Husker Du- Don’t Want to Know If You Are Lonely

Buy Don’t Want to Know If You Are Lonely – Candy Apple Grey
Buy Don’t Want To Know If You Are LonelyAmazon

16.  The Smithereens- Behind the Wall of Sleep

Buy Behind the Wall of Sleep – Especially for You
Buy Behind The Wall Of Sleep (2004 Digital Remaster) Amazon

17.  The Pet Shop Boys- West End Girls

Buy West End Girls – Please
Buy West End Girls (2001 – Remaster) Amazon

18. Depeche Mode- Stripped

Buy Stripped – Black Celebration
Buy Stripped Amazon

19.  The Jesus & Mary Chain- Some Candy Talking

Buy Some Candy Talking (Single Version) – The Power of Negative Thinking: B-Sides and Rarities
Buy Some Candy Talking [Single Version] Amazon<

20.  Sonic Youth- Expressway to Yr. Skull (AKA Madonna, Sean & Me)

Buy Madonna, Sean, and Me – Evol
Buy Madonna, Sean, and Me Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 4

Best of 1986 Volume 4 (12/5/04)

1.  Love & Rockets- It Could Be Sunshine

Buy It Could Be Sunshine – Express (Remastered)
Buy It Could Be Sunshine Amazon

2.  Julian Cope- World Shut Your Mouth

Buy World Shut Your Mouth – Floored Genius: The Best of Julian Cope and the Teardrop Explodes (1979-91)
Buy World Shut Your Mouth Amazon

3.  The Fall- US 80’s-90’s

Buy U.S. 80’s – 90’s – 50,000 Fall Fans Can’t Be Wrong (39 Golden Greats)
Buy U.S. 80’s – 90’s Amazon

4.  New Order- State Of the Nation

Buy State of the Nation (Edit) – Singles
Buy State Of The Nation Amazon

5.  The Eurythmics- When Tomorrow Comes

Buy When Tomorrow Comes – Revenge
Buy When Tomorrow Comes (Remastered Version) Amazon

6.  Depeche Mode- A Question of Time

Buy A Question of Time – Black Celebration
Buy A Question Of Time Amazon

7.  The Housemartins- Happy Hour

Buy Happy Hour – London 0 Hull 4
Buy Happy Hour Amazon

8.  The Smiths- Big Mouth Strikes Again

Buy Bigmouth Strikes Again – The Queen Is Dead (Remastered By Johnny Marr)
Buy Bigmouth Strikes Again Amazon

9.  Elvis Costello & the Attractions- I Hope You’re Happy Now

Buy I Hope You’re Happy Now – Blood and Chocolate
Buy I Hope You’re Happy Now Amazon

10.  Billy Bragg- Greetings From the New Brunette

Buy Greetings To the New Brunette – Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
*Track not available via Amazon

11.  Throwing Muses- Vicky’s Box

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

12.  Schooly-D- Gucci Time

Buy Gucci Time – Best of Schoolly D
Buy Gucci Time Amazon

13.  The Beastie Boys- Hold It Now, Hit It

Buy Hold It Now, Hit It – Licensed to Ill
Buy Hold It Now, Hit It Amazon

14.  Run-DMC- My Adidas

Buy My Adidas – Raising Hell
Buy My Adidas Amazon

15.  R.E.M.- Superman

Buy Superman (Remastered) – Life’s Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition)
Buy Superman (2011 – Remaster) Amazon

16.  Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians- If You Were a Priest

Buy If You Were a Priest – Chronolology (The Very Best of Robyn Hitchcock)
Buy If You Were A Priest Amazon

17.  Metallica- (Welcome Home) Sanitarium

Buy Welcome Home (Sanitarium) – Master of Puppets
*Track not available via Amazon

18.  Prince- Mountains

Buy Mountains – Parade (Music from the Motion Picture Under the Cherry Moon)
Buy Mountains (LP Version) Amazon

19.  XTC- Grass

BuyGrass – Skylarking
BuyGrass (2001 – Remaster) Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 5

Best of 1986 Volume 5 (10/25/07)

1.  The Smiths- The Queen Is Dead (Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty)

Buy The Queen Is Dead / Take Me Back to Dear Old Blighty – The Sound of the Smiths (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered]
Buy The Queen Is Dead (2011 Remastered Version) Amazon

2.  Peter Gabriel- Sledgehammer

Buy Sledgehammer – So (Special Edition)
Buy Sledgehammer [Explicit]Amazon

3.  The Smithereens- Blood and Roses

Buy Blood and Roses – Especially for You
Buy Blood And Roses Amazon

4.  The Pogues- The Body Of an American

Buy The Body of an American – The Very Best of The Pogues
Buy The Body Of An American Amazon

5.  Big Black- Kerosene

Buy Kerosene – Atomizer
Buy Kerosene [Explicit] Amazon

6.  Bad Brains- I Against I

Buy I Against I – I Against I
Buy I Against I Amazon

7.  The Godfathers- This Damn Nation

Buy This Damn Nation – Hit By Hit (Deluxe Edition)
Buy This Damn Nation Amazon

8.  Ultramagnetic MC’s- Ego Trippin’

Buy Ego Trippin’ (Original 12 Version) – Critical Beatdown
Buy Ego Trippin’ (Original 12 Version) (Album Version) Amazon

9.  Eric B & Rakim- My Melody

Buy My Melody (Original Mix) – Gold
Buy My Melody Amazon

10.  Nelcy Sedibe- Holotelani

Buy Holotelani – The Indestructible Beat of Soweto – Volume One
Buy Holotelani Amazon

11.  They Might Be Giants- She’s An Angel

Buy She’s an Angel – They Might Be Giants]
Buy She’s an AngelAmazon

12.  Elvis Costello- Indoor Fireworks

Buy Indoor Fireworks (Live In Studio) – The Best of Elvis Costello: The First 10 Years
Buy Indoor Fireworks Amazon

13.  Billy Bragg- The Marriage

Buy The Marriage – Talking With the Taxman About Poetry
*Track not available via Amazon

14.  Crowded House- Something So Strong

Buy Something So Strong – Crowded House
Buy Something So Strong Amazon

15.  Steve Earle- Someday

Buy Someday – Guitar Town
Buy Someday Amazon

16.  Talk Talk- Life’s What You Make It

Buy Life’s What You Make It – The Colour of Spring
Buy Life’s What You Make It (1997 – Remaster) Amazon

17.  The Beastie Boys- Slow and Low

Buy Slow and Low – Licensed to Ill
Buy Slow And Low Amazon

18.  The Pretenders- Don’t Get Me Wrong

Buy Don’t Get Me Wrong – Get Close (Remastered)
Buy Don’t Get Me Wrong (2009 Remastered) Amazon

19.  The Go-Betweens- The Ghost and the Black Hat

BuyThe Ghost and the Black Hat – Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
BuyThe Ghost And The Black Hat Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 6

Best of 1986 Volume 6 (10/26/07)

1.  Metallica- Battery

Buy Battery – Master of Puppets
*Track not available via Amazon

2.  Slayer- Angel of Death

Buy Angel of Death – Reign In Blood
Buy Angel Of DeathAmazon

3.  Bad Brains- House of Suffering

Buy House of Suffering – I Against I
Buy House Of Suffering Amazon

4.  The Smiths- Cemetery Gates

Buy Cemetary Gates – The Queen Is Dead (Remastered By Johnny Marr)
Buy Cemetary Gates (2011 Remastered Version) Amazon

5.  Talk Talk- Happiness Is Easy

Buy Happiness Is Easy – The Colour of Spring
Buy Happiness Is Easy (1997 – Remaster) Amazon

6.  Love & Rockets- Life in Laralay

Buy Life in Laralay – Express (Remastered)
Buy Life In Laralay Amazon

7.  The Go-Betweens- The Wrong Road

Buy The Wrong Road – Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
Buy The Wrong Road Amazon

8. Triffids- Wide Open Road

Buy Wide Open Road – Born Sandy Devotional
Buy Wide Open Road Amazon

9.  Dwight Yoakam- Honky Tonk Man

Buy Honky Tonk Man – Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (Expanded Version)
Buy Honky Tonk ManAmazon

10.  Steve Earle- Fearless Heart

Buy Fearless Heart – Guitar Town
Buy Fearless Heart (Album Version) Amazon

11.  Elvis Costello & the Attractions- Uncomplicated

Buy Uncomplicated – Blood and Chocolate
Buy Uncomplicated Amazon

12.  Throwing Muses- Green

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

13.  XTC- That’s Really Super, Supergirl

Buy That’s Really Super, Supergirl – Skylarking
Buy That’s Really Super, Supergirl (2001 – Remaster) Amazon

14.  Madonna- Papa Don’t Preach

Buy Papa Don’t Preach – True Blue
Buy Papa Don’t Preach (Album Version) Amazon

15.  Janet Jackson- What Have You Done For Me Lately

Buy What Have You Done for Me Lately – Control
Buy What Have You Done For Me Lately Amazon

16.  Farley “Jackmaster” Funk- Love Can’t Turn Around

Buy Love Can’t Turn Around (Original Mix) – Farley Jackmaster Funk
Buy Love Can’t Turn Around Amazon

17.  Just Ice- Cold Gettin’ Dumb

Buy Cold Gettin’ Dumb – Back to the Old School
*This version not available via Amazon

18.  Run-DMC- You Be Illin’

Buy You Be Illin’ – Raising Hell
Buy You Be Illin’ Amazon

19.  The Smithereens- Cigarette

Buy Cigarette – Especially for You
*Track not available via Amazon

20.  Timbuk 3- The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades

Buy The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades – Greetings from Timbuk 3
Buy The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 7

Best of 1986 Volume 7 (6/30/13)

1.  Megadeth- Peace Sells

Buy Peace Sells – Peace Sells… But Who’s Buying? (Remastered)
Buy Peace Sells But Who’s Buying? Amazon

2.  Public Image Limited- Rise

Buy Rise – Album
Buy Rise (LP Version) Amazon

3.  Bad Brains- Re-ignition

Buy Re-Ignition – I Against I
Buy Re-IgnitionAmazon

4.  Metallica- Leper Messiah

Buy Leper Messiah – Master of Puppets
*Track not available via Amazon

5.  Depeche Mode- Black Celebration

Buy Black Celebration – Black Celebration
Buy Black Celebration Amazon

6.  Mr. Fingers- Can You Feel It

Buy Can You Feel It – The Original Chicago House Classics
Buy Can You Feel It Amazon

7.  Marshall Jefferson- Move Your Body

Buy Move Your Body – The Original Chicago House Classics
Buy Move Your Body Amazon

8.  Janet Jackson- The Pleasure Principle

Buy The Pleasure Principle – Control
Buy The Pleasure Principle Amazon9.  The Smiths- Ask

10.  The Housemartins- Get Up Off Our Knees

Buy Get Up Off Our Knees – London 0 Hull 4 (Deluxe Edition)
Buy Get Up Off Our Knees Amazon

11.  R.E.M.- These Days

Buy These Days (Remastered) – Life’s Rich Pageant (Deluxe Edition)
Buy These Days Amazon

12.  Talk Talk- Living In Another World

Buy Living in Another World – The Colour of Spring
Buy Living In Another World (1997 – Remaster) Amazon

13.  XTC- Season Cycle

Buy Season Cycle – Skylarking
Buy Season Cycle (2001 – Remaster) Amazon

14.  Paul Simon- Gumboots

Buy Gumboots (with the Boyoyo Boys) – Graceland (25th Anniversary Edition)
Buy Gumboots Amazon

15.  The Beastie Boys- Paul Revere

Buy Paul Revere – Licensed to Ill
Buy Paul Revere Amazon

16.  Sonic Youth- Bubblegum

Buy Bubblegum – Evol
Buy Bubblegum Amazon

17.  Slayer- Raining Blood

BuyRaining Blood – Reign In Blood
BuyRaining Blood (Album Version) Amazon

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 8

Best of 1986 Volume 8 (6/30/13)

1.  Peter Gabriel- Big Time

Buy Big Time – So (Special Edition)
Buy Big Time (2012 – Remaster) Amazon

2.  Sonic Youth- Star Power

Buy Starpower – Evol
Buy Starpower Amazon

3.  Bad Bains- She’s Calling You

Buy She’s Calling You – I Against I
Buy She’s Calling You Amazon

4.  Throwing Muses- Call Me

*This track is not available via iTunes or Amazon

5.  Mantronix- Who Is It? (Club Mix)

Buy Who Is It (12″ Club Mix) – Who Is It – Single
*Track not available via Amazon

6.  The Beastie Boys- She’s Crafty

Buy She’s Crafty – Licensed to Ill
Buy She’s Crafty Amazon

7.  Kool G Rap & DJ Polo- It’s a Demo

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

8.  Janet Jackson- Nasty

Buy Nasty – Control
Buy Nasty Amazon

9.  Coil- The Anal Staircase

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

10.  The Pet Shop Boys- Suburbia

Buy Suburbia – Please
Buy Suburbia (2001 Digital Remaster) Amazon

11.  The Housemartins- Sitting On a Fence

Buy Sitting On a Fence – London 0 Hull 4
Buy Sitting On A Fence Amazon

12.  the Feelies- The Last Roundup

Buy The Last Roundup – The Good Earth
Buy The Last Roundup Amazon

13.  R.E.M.- Flowers of Guatemala

Buy Flowers of Guatemala – Lifes Rich Pageant
Buy The Flowers Of Guatemala Amazon

14.  XTC- The Meeting Place

Buy The Meeting Place – Skylarking
Buy The Meeting Place (2001 – Remaster) Amazon

15.  The SMiths- Frankly Mr. Shankly

Buy Frankly, Mr. Shankly – The Queen Is Dead (Remastered By Johnny Marr)
Buy Frankly, Mr. Shankly (2011 Remastered Version) Amazon

16.  Paul Simon- That Was Your Mother

Buy That Was Your Mother (with Good Rockin’ Dopsie and the Twisters) – Graceland (25th Anniversary Edition)
Buy That Was Your Mother Amazon

17.  Umahlathini Nabo- Ohude Manikaniki

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

18.  Metallica- The Thing That Should Not Be

Buy The Thing That Should Not Be – Master of Puppets
*Track not available via Amazon

19.  Slayer- Postmortem

Buy Postmortem – Reign In Blood
Buy Postmortem (Album Version) Amazon

 

Mixes By Year: Best of 1986 Volume 9

  1. Janet Jackson- Control
  2. Nu Shooz- I Can’t Wait
  3. Prince & The Revolution- New Position
  4. Sleezy D- I’ve Lost Control
  5. Berlin- Take My Breath Away
  6. The Mighty Lemondrops- My Biggest Thrill
  7. The Bangles- Manic Monday
  8. Depeche Mode- Fly On My Windscreen
  9. Peter Gabriel- Red Rain
  10. Love And Rockets- All In My Mind
  11. Paul Simon- Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes
  12. Pet Shop Boys- Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots Of Money)
  13. New Order- Broken Promise
  14. Talk Talk- I Don’t Believe In You
  15. Metallica- Disposable Heroes
  16. Slayer- Jesus Saves