1989- not the best or my favorite musical year of the 80’s, but damn good.  In fact you could put its top 5 albums up against the top 5 or any year in the last 25 years and it just might win:  Pixies “Doolittle”, Stone Roses “Stone Roses”, Beastie Boys “Paul’s Boutique”, Cure “Disintegration” & De La Soul “3 Feet High and Rising”.  That’s nothing to sneeze at- all 5 are stone cold classics.  After those five the great albums of 1989 thin out quickly but there is still plenty of great tracks and very good, if flawed, albums to explore. Half of ’89 took place during my junior year of high school and half in my senior year so it was a formative year for me to say the least.  My formerly closed metal (and classic rock) mind had opened up considerably.  I was listening to a ton of rap at the time and becoming increasingly interested in alternative music- then usually referred to in my parts as progressive music or college rock.  And I had opened back up my ears to pop music again after a few years of running as far as I could from it.

The late 80’s/early 90’s is often referred to as the golden age of rap, and though 1988 usually gets tagged as the peak year, ’89 doesn’t disappoint either.  Outside of the groundbreaking, genre expanding and flat-out revolutionary albums by De La Soul & the Beastie Boys, there was the outstanding Public Enemy single “Fight the Power” from the provocative and controversial Spike Lee film “Do the Right Thing”, the anti-PMRC screed “Freedom Of Speech” by Ice T, the ultra-smooth Big Daddy Kane’s second, and best, album “It’s A Big Daddy Thing” & the debut from one of the best early female rapper Queen Latifah, who would later go on to become a movie star as well as a musical star outside of the rap genre.  Important underground rapper like EPMD, Chill Rob G, the D.O.C., Jungle Brothers & Gang Starr also put out important, early releases.  Rap music was starting to see large crossover potential with huge pop rap hits by Young MC (Bust A Move), Tone Loc (Wild Thing & Funky Cold Medina) & Biz Markie (Just a Friend) blazing up the charts.  LL Cool J continued his run of hits with his third album “Walking With a Panther”, which was trashed a bit by the critics but still managed to generate some great songs.  Many of New York City’s gathered together to record and perform “Self-Destruction”, a plea to end black on black violence, which would be the antithesis of the nihilistic gangsta-rap just starting to bubble to the surface.  Miami’s 2 Live Crew released their most recognized album “As Nasty As They Wanna Be”, then the most profane rap music ever put on wax.  They even had a big crossover hit with a cleaned up version of “Me So Horny”.

Though it wouldn’t become a full on revolution for a few years the seeds of the alt-rock explosion were being planted in the late 80’s.  College rock bands like the Smithereens, Throwing Muses, Drivin’ N’ Cryin’, the Replacements, the Hoodoo Gurus & Dramarama had been toiling away for most of the decade building their following little by little.  All had hit songs in ’89- some were just college hits, but others like “A Girl Like You” by the Smithereens crossed over to the pop charts.  Massachusetts band the Pixies were one of the biggest of the bunch.  They had already amassed a following with the previous year’s “Surfer Rosa”, but “Doolittle”, in my opinion their very best album, took the band to another level.  They were hugely influential on a slew of 90’s band and would unfortunately break up in ’91 right as they were primed for stardom.  Though it wasn’t known as such at the time, Seattle’s grunge movement was also starting to bubble- Nirvana released their debut album “Bleach”, Soundgarden their breakthrough (at least on the college level) “Louder Than Love” and Mother Love Bone, which contained two future members of Pearl Jam, released their debut EP “Shine”, which contains their signature song “Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns”.  Los Angeles’s Red Hot Chili Peppers, long a fave with college kids released “Mother’s Milk”, by far their best selling record to date which garnered them MTV video hits and expanded their base to high school kids.  Faith No More combined rap, alternative music & metal on their 2nd album “The Real Thing”, which contained the huge hit “Epic”.  Though their popularity would fade with subsequent albums, “The Real Thing” is still a touchstone for the rap-metal/nu-metal scene of the late 90’s for better or for worse.  Other great, more obscure indie rock was being made in ’89 as well- Spacemen 3’s last album “Playing With Fire”, Galaxie 500’s 2nd and best album “On Fire”, and the great Mekons “Rock N’ Roll” were all standout albums that remain underheard but not under-loved.  NC’s Superchunk & the great 90’s band Pavement were releasing their debut singles.  Scotland’s Vaselines, a favorite of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, also released one of their two proper albums.  Last, but not least, Washington D.C.’s post-hardcore band Fugazi released the “Margin Walker” EP which would become half of the monumentally awesome “13 Songs” which came out the following year.  Fugazi would go on to become one of the best & most important indie bands of the 90’s.

Across the pond in the U.K., besides, “Disintegration” by the Cure, still their best record and the Stone Roses debut, which combined indie-rock music with house & rave culture, bands like Jesus & Mary Chain, the Cult & Morrissey all had hits in ’89.  The groundbreaking New Order, continued to evolve their sound, releasing “Technique”, possibly their most consistent album.  “Technique” was a move away from synth-pop & post-punk and toward full on House music.  Never had the band released anything so primed for the dance floor.  The lead singer of New Order, Bernard Sumner and Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr combined to form the band Electronic, who had a big hit in ’89 with “Getting Away With It”.  Soul II Soul combined House music and full-on R&B and hip hop- they had two huge hits in ’89 with “Back II Life” and “Keep On Movin'”.  Kevin Saunderson, one of the original Detroit Belleville Three (the originators of Techno music), under the guise of his band name Inner City released their debut album “Paradise” which contains two dance crossover hits “Big Fun” & “Good Life”.   In the American pop world both Madonna & Janet Jackson came out with blockbuster albums.  In both cases, each album “Like A Prayer” for the former and “Rhythm Nation” for the latter, became probably the most well-thought of albums of their entire careers up and including the present.  Both albums contained a slew of huge hits, some ballads and some primed for the dance floor.  Madonna & Janet dominated the late 80’s pop landscape.  The new industrial dance music sound was rising up in ’89 as well.  Nine Inch Nails released their debut “Pretty Hate Machine” and the much heavier Ministry released their best album “The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste”.  Both albums would become huge influences on the 90’s sound.

Another thing to note about 1989 is how well some of the boomer artists did that year.  Tom Petty released one of his most successful albums “Full Moon Fever” which contains a trip of his signature songs- “I Won’t Back Down”, “Runnin’ Down a Dream” and “Free Fallin'”.  Neil Young, released his best album in a decade with “Freedom”, including the hit “Rockin’ In the Free World”.  Elvis Costello released “Spike”, his most successful, if far from his best, non 70’s album.  The B-52’s, who had ben dormant since earlier in the decade had the greatest success of their career with “Cosmic Thing” & the hits “Roam” and wedding staple “Love Shack”.  Lou Reed, who had been hit and miss the whole decade came out with “New York” containing “Dirty Blvd.”, a great song on constant MTV-video rotation.  Bonnie Raitt, an L.A. singer-songwriter who had been releasing music since the early 70’s, finally got her big breakthrough with “Nick Of Time”, which swept the following year’s Grammys.  Great artists like XTC, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Bob Mould (late of Husker Du) continued to put out relevant, and sometimes great, music.  A handful of newer artists, recording in throwback styles had some success in 1989 as well.  The Indigo Girls released their excellent debut which was grounded in folk rock.  It would become a massive influence on the 90’s Lilith Fair scene (again for better or for worse).  50’s throwback Chris Isaak came out with the beautiful, sensual ballad “Wicked Game” which would become a huge hit in the early 90’s and the one of a kind Julee Cruise released her debut album “Floating Into the Night”.  Many of the songs on it would be heard in the television series “Twin Peaks”, perhaps my favorite TV show of all time.

NINE INCH NAILS- PRETTY HATE MACHINE

Buy Pretty Hate Machine (2010 Remaster) – Nine Inch Nails

Buy Pretty Hate Machine [2010 Remaster]Amazon

FUGAZI- MARGIN WALKER EP

Buy 13 Songs – Fugazi *Album only available in iTunes as part of “13 Songs” compilation.

Buy Margin Walker [Vinyl]Amazon

THE RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS- MOTHER’S MILK

Buy Mother’s Milk – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Buy Mother’s Milk [Explicit]Amazon

JANET JACKSON- RHYTHM NATION

Buy Rhythm Nation 1814 – Janet Jackson

Buy Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814Amazon

DE LA SOUL- 3 FEET HIGH AND RISING

*Album not available via iTunes

Buy 3 Feet High & Rising Amazon

SPACEMEN 3- PLAYING WITH FIRE

Buy Playing With Fire (Double Disc Version) – Spacemen 3

Buy Playing With Fire Amazon

THE PIXIES- DOOLITTLE

Buy Doolittle – Pixies

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NEW ORDER- TECHNIQUE

Buy Technique – New Order

Buy TechniqueAmazon

GALAXIE 500- ON FIRE

Buy On Fire – Galaxie 500

Buy On FireAmazon

THE MEKONS- MEKONS ROCK N’ ROLL

*Album not available via iTunes

Buy The Mekons Rock N RollAmazon

THE STONE ROSES- THE STONE ROSES

Buy The Stone Roses (20th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered] – The Stone Roses

Buy The Stone Roses 20th AnniversaryAmazon

FAITH NO MORE- THE REAL THING

Buy The Real Thing – Faith No More

Buy Real ThingAmazon

NEIL YOUNG- FREEDOM

Buy Freedom – Neil Young

Buy FreedomAmazon

INDIGO GIRLS- INDIGO GIRLS

Buy Indigo Girls (Expanded Edition) – Indigo Girls

Buy Indigo Girls Amazon

DRIVIN’ N’ CRYIN’- MYSTERY ROAD

Buy Mystery Road – Drivin’ n’ Cryin’

Buy Mystery Road Amazon

MINISTRY- THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO TASTE

Buy The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste – Ministry

Buy Mind Is a Terrible Thing to TasteAmazon

ICE T- THE ICEBERG/FREEDOM OF SPEECH…JUST WATCH WHAT YOU SAY

Buy The Iceberg / Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say – Ice-T

Buy The Iceburg / Freedom Of SpeechAmazon

THE CURE- DISINTEGRATION

Buy Disintegration (Deluxe Edition – Remastered) – The Cure

Buy Disintegration (Remastered)Amazon

THE BEASTIE BOYS- PAUL’S BOUTIQUE

Buy Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Remastered Edition) – Beastie Boys

Buy Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Edition) Amazon

NIRVANA- BLEACH

Buy Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) – Nirvana

Buy Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)Amazon

Best of 1989 Volume 1 (11/11/02)

1.  Public Enemy- Fight the Power

Buy Fight the Power – Fear of a Black Planet

Buy Fight The PowerAmazon

2.  The Beastie Boys- Shake Your Rump

Buy Shake Your Rump – Paul’s Boutique

Buy Shake Your Rump Amazon

3.  Nine Inch Nails- Head Like a Hole

Buy Head Like a Hole – Pretty Hate Machine (2010 Remaster)

Buy Head Like A Hole Amazon

4.  The Stone Roses- I Wanna Be Adored

Buy I Wanna Be Adored (Remastered) – The Stone Roses (Remastered)

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5.  The Jesus & Mary Chain- Head On

Buy Head On – Automatic

Buy Head OnAmazon

6.  The Pixies- Debaser

Buy Debaser – Doolittle

Buy DebaserAmazon

7.  Ministry- Burning Inside

Buy Burning Inside – The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste

Buy Burning Inside (Album Version) Amazon

8.  Dramarama- Last Cigarette

Buy Last Cigarette – Stuck In Wonderamaland

Buy Last Cigarette Amazon

9.  Faith No More- From Out of Nowhere

Buy From Out of Nowhere – The Real Thing

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10.  Fugazi- Margin Walker

Buy Margin Walker – 13 Songs

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11.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers- Knock Me Down

Buy Knock Me Down (Edit) – Mother’s Milk

Buy Knock Me Down (2003 Digital Remaster)Amazon

12.  Ice T- Lethal Weapon

Buy Lethal Weapon – The Iceberg / Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say

Buy Lethal Weapon (Album Version)Amazon

13.  De La Soul- Tread Water

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

14.  Lou Reed- Dirty Blvd.

Buy Dirty Blvd. – New York

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15.  The Cure- Fascination Street

Buy Fascination Street – Disintegration (Remastered)

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16.  Nirvana- About a Girl

Buy About a Girl (Remastered) – Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Buy About A Girl (2009 Re-mastered Version)Amazon

17.  Mother Love Bone- Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns

Buy Chloe Dancer / Crown of Thorns – Shine – EP

Buy Chloe Dancer/Crown Of ThornsAmazon

Best of 1989 Volume 2 (11/12/02)

1.  Neil Young- Rockin’ in the Free World

Buy Rockin’ In the Free World – Freedom

Buy Rockin’ In The Free WorldAmazon

2.  The Stone Roses- She Bangs the Drums

Buy She Bangs the Drums (Remastered) – The Stone Roses (Remastered)

Buy She Bangs The Drums (Remastered)Amazon

3.  The D.O.C.- It’s Funky Enough

Buy It’s Funky Enough (Remastered Single Version) – No One Can Do It Better

Buy It’s Funky Enough (Remastered Single/LP Version) [Explicit]Amazon

4.  LL Cool J- Big Ole Butt

Buy Big Ole Butt – Walking with a Panther

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5.  Madonna- Express Yourself

Buy Express Yourself – Like a Prayer

Buy Express Yourself (Album Version)Amazon

6.  New Order- Fine Time

Buy Fine Time – Technique

Buy Fine TimeAmazon

7.  The Cure- Pictures of You

Buy Pictures of You – Disintegration (Deluxe Edition – Remastered)

Buy Pictures Of YouAmazon

8.  Nine Inch Nails- Terrible Lie

Buy Terrible Lie – Pretty Hate Machine (2010 Remaster)

Buy Terrible LieAmazon

9.  Nirvana- Negative Creep

Buy Negative Creep (Remastered) – Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Buy Negative Creep (Album)Amazon

10.  The Pixies- Gouge Away

Buy Gouge Away – Doolittle

Buy Gouge AwayAmazon

11.  The B-52’s- Roam

Buy Roam – Cosmic Thing

Buy RoamAmazon

12.  The Indigo Girls- Closer to Fine

Buy Closer to Fine – Indigo Girls (Expanded Edition)

Buy Closer To FineAmazon

13.  The Jungle Brothers- Doin’ Our Own Dang

Buy Doin’ Our Own Dang – Done By the Forces of Nature

Buy Doin’ Our Own Dang (Album Version)Amazon

14.  De La Soul- Me, Myself & I

Buy Me, Myself & I – King’s Ransom: The Album (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)

Buy Me, Myself & IAmazon

15.  The Beastie Boys- Hey Ladies!

Buy Hey Ladies – Paul’s Boutique

Buy Hey LadiesAmazon

16.  Biz Markie- Just a Friend

Buy Just a Friend – Biz’s Baddest Beats: The Best of Biz Markie

Buy Just A Friend Amazon

17. Fugazi- Burning Too Buy Burning Too – 13 Songs

Buy Burning Too Amazon

18.  Drivin’ N’ Cryin’- Straight to Hell

Buy Straight to Hell – Mystery Road

Buy Straight To HellAmazon

Best of 1989 Volume 3 (7/21/04)

1.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers- Good Time Boys

Buy Good Time Boys – Mother’s Milk

Buy Good Time Boys (2003 Digital Remaster) [Explicit]Amazon

2.  The Replacements- I’ll Be You

Buy I’ll Be You – Don’t Tell a Soul (Expanded Edition)

Buy I’ll Be You (Remastered Version)Amazon

3.  The Stone Roses- Elephant Stone

Buy Elephant Stone (Remastered) – The Stone Roses (20th Anniversary Collectors Edition)

Buy Elephant Stone (Remastered)Amazon

4.  New Order- Vanishing Point

Buy Vanishing Point – Technique

Buy Vanishing Point Amazon

5.  De La Soul- Say No Go

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

6.  Soul II Soul- Keep On Movin’

Buy Keep On Movin’ – Keep On Movin’

Buy Keep On Movin’ Amazon

7.  Queen Latifah (Feat. Monie Love)- Ladies First

Buy Ladies First (Remastered) – Rhino Hi-Five: Queen Latifah – EP

Buy Ladies First (Remastered Single Version) [Explicit]Amazon

8.  The Pixies- I Bleed

Buy I Bleed – Doolittle

Buy I BleedAmazon

9.  Soundgarden- Hands All Over

Buy Hands All Over – Louder Than Love

Buy Hands All Over Amazon

10.  Fugazi- Provisional

Buy Provisional – 13 Songs

Buy ProvisionalAmazon

11.  The Beastie Boys- Car Thief

Buy Car Thief – Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Remastered Edition)

Buy Car Thief (2009 Digital Remaster) [Explicit]Amazon

12.  Big Daddy Kane- Smooth Operator

Buy Smooth Operator – It’s a Big Daddy Thing

Buy Smooth OperatorAmazon

13.  Nine Inch Nails- Kinda I Want To

Buy Kinda I Want To – Pretty Hate Machine (2010 Remaster)

Buy Kinda I Want ToAmazon

14.  The Cure- Lullaby

Buy Lullaby – Disintegration (Remastered)

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15.  Galaxie 500- Blue Thunder

Buy Blue Thunder – On Fire

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16.  Bonnie Raitt- Thing Called Love

Buy Thing Called Love – Nick of Time

Buy Thing Called LoveAmazon

17.  The Mekons- Club Mekon

*Track not available via iTunes

Buy Club Mekon / 12″Amazon

18.  XTC- The Mayor of Simpleton

Buy Mayor of Simpleton – Oranges and Lemons

Buy Mayor Of Simpleton (2001 Digital Remaster)Amazon

19.  Jonathan Richman- Fender Stratcastor

Buy Fender Stratocaster – Jonathan Richman

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Best of 1989 Volume 4 (7/22/04)

1.  Lou Reed- Romeo Had Juliet

Buy Romeo Had Juliette – New York

Buy Romeo Had Juliette Amazon

2.  Morrissey- The Last of the Famous International Playboys

Buy The Last of the Famous International Playboys – Bona Drag

Buy The Last Of The Famous International PlayboysAmazon

3.  Throwing Muses- Dizzy

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

4.  Nirvana- Love Buzz

Buy Love Buzz (Remastered) – Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Buy Love Buzz (Album) Amazon

5.  The Pixies- Wave of Mutilation

Buy Wave of Mutilation – Doolittle

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6.  Neil Young- Too Far Gone

Buy Too Far Gone – Freedom

Buy Too Far GoneAmazon

7.  Galaxie 500- Snowstorm

Buy Snowstorm – On Fire

Buy SnowstormAmazon

8.  Madonna- Like a Prayer

Buy Like a Prayer – Like a Prayer

Buy Like A Prayer (Album Version)Amazon

9.  The Lightning Seeds- Pure

Buy Pure – Like You Do – Best of the Lightning Seeds

Buy PureAmazon

10.  The Stone Roses- I Am the Resurrection

Buy I Am the Resurrection (Remastered) – The Stone Roses (Remastered)

Buy I Am The Resurrection (Remastered)Amazon

11.  The Mekons- Empire of the Senseless

Buy Empire of the Senseless – Heaven & Hell

Buy Empire Of The SenselessAmazon

12.  The Beastie Boys- Shadrach

Buy Shadrach – Paul’s Boutique

Buy Shadrach [Explicit]Amazon

13.  Neneh Cherry- Buffalo Stance

Buy Buffalo Stance – Raw Like Sushi

Buy Buffalo Stance (12” Version)Amazon

14.  Janet Jackson- Miss You Much

Buy Miss You Much – Rhythm Nation 1814

Buy Miss You Much Amazon

15.  Drivin’ N’ Cryin’- House for Sale

Buy House for Sale – Mystery Road

Buy House For SaleAmazon

16.  De La Soul- Potholes In My Lawn

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

17.  Ice T- You Played Yourself

Buy You Played Yourself – The Iceberg / Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say

Buy You Played Yourself (Album Version)Amazon

18.  Elvis Costello- Deep Dark Truthful Mirror

Buy Deep Dark Truthful Mirror – Spike

Buy Deep Dark Truthful MirrorAmazon

19.  The Cure- Last Dance

Buy Last Dance – Disintegration (Remastered)

Buy Last DanceAmazon

Best of 1989 Volume 5 (3/15/08)

1.  Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- Free Fallin’

Buy Free Fallin’ – Full Moon Fever

Buy Free Fallin’Amazon

2.  Faith No More- Epic

Buy Epic – The Real Thing

Buy EpicAmazon

3.  Spacemen 3- Revolution

Buy Revolution – Playing With Fire (Single Disc Version)

Buy RevolutionAmazon

4.  Superchunk- My Noise

Buy My Noise – Tossing Seeds (Singles 89-91)

Buy My NoiseAmazon

5.  Pavement- Box Elder

Buy Box Elder – Westing (By Musket and Sextant)

Buy Box ElderAmazon

6.  The Vaselines- Teenage Superstars

Buy Teenage Superstars – Enter the Vaselines (Deluxe Edition) [Remastered]

Buy Teenage Superstars (Album)Amazon

7.  Love & Rockets- So Alive

Buy So Alive – Love and Rockets

Buy So AliveAmazon

8.  Soul II Soul- Back II Life (However Do You Want Me)

Buy Back to Life (However Do You Want Me) – Club Classics Vol. One: 10th Anniversary Edition

Buy Back To Life (However Do You Want Me) (2003 Digital Remaster) (Feat. Caron Wheeler)Amazon

9.  Biz Markie- Spring Again

Buy Spring Again – Biz’s Baddest Beats: The Best of Biz Markie

Buy Spring AgainAmazon

10.  Young MC- Bust a Move

Buy Bust a Move – Stone Cold Rhymin’

Buy Bust A Move Amazon

11.  Gang Starr- Words I Manifest

Buy Words I Manifest – Wild Pitch Classics

Buy Words I ManifestAmazon

12.  EPMD- So Watcha Sayin’

Buy So Wat Cha Sayin’ – Unfinished Business

Buy So Wat Cha Sayin’ [Explicit]Amazon

13.  De La Soul (Feat. The Jungle Brothers, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah & Monie Love)- Buddy (Native Tongues Remix)

*Track not available via iTunes or Amazon

14.  Tone Loc- Wild Thing

Buy Wild Thing – Lōc-ed After Dark

Buy Wild ThingAmazon

15.  The Beastie Boys- The Sounds of Science

Buy The Sounds of Science – Paul’s Boutique

Buy The Sounds Of ScienceAmazon

16.  The Stone Roses- Waterfall

Buy Waterfall (Remastered) – The Stone Roses (Remastered)

Buy Waterfall (Remastered)Amazon

17.  The Cure- Love Song

Buy Lovesong – Disintegration (Deluxe Edition – Remastered)

Buy LovesongAmazon

18.  The Pixies- Monkey Gone to Heaven

Buy Monkey Gone to Heaven – Doolittle

Buy Monkey Gone To HeavenAmazon

19.  The Pogues- White City

Buy White City – Peace & Love [Expanded]

Buy White CityAmazon

Best of 1989 Volume 6 (3/15/08)

1.  The Cult- Sun King

Buy Sun King – Sonic Temple (Remastered)

Buy Sun KingAmazon

2.  The Mekons- Memphis, Egypt

Buy Memphis Egypt – Heaven & Hell

Buy Memphis Egypt Amazon

3.  Drivin’ N’ Cryin’- Honeysuckle Blue

Buy Honeysuckle Blue – Mystery Road

Buy Honeysuckle BlueAmazon

4.  Bob Mould- See A Little Light

Buy See a Little Light – Workbook

Buy See A Little LightAmazon

5.  The Stone Roses- Fool’s Gold

Buy Fools Gold (Remastered) – The Stone Roses (Remastered)

Buy Fools Gold (Remastered)Amazon

6.  Inner City- Big Fun

Buy Big Fun (Radio Edit) – Big Fun (Remixes)

Buy Big FunAmazon

7.  Jacket Jackson- Rhythm Nation

Buy Rhythm Nation – Rhythm Nation 1814

Buy Rhythm NationAmazon

8.  Big Daddy Kane- Young, Gifted & Black

Buy Young, Gifted and Black – It’s a Big Daddy Thing

Buy Young, Gifted And Black Amazon

9.  Tone Loc- Funky Cold Medina

Buy Funky Cold Medina – Lōc-ed After Dark

Buy Funky Cold MedinaAmazon

10.  The B-52’s- Love Shack

Buy Love Shack – Cosmic Thing

Buy Love Shack Amazon

11.  The Pixies- Here Comes Your Man

Buy Here Comes Your Man – Doolittle

Buy Here Comes Your ManAmazon

12.  The Beastie Boys- Egg Man

Buy Egg Man – Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Remastered Edition)

Buy Egg Man [Explicit] Amazon

13.  LL Cool J- I’m the Type of Guy

Buy I’m That Type of Guy – Walking with a Panther

Buy I’m That Type Of Guy Amazon

14.  De La Soul- Eye Know

*Track not available on iTunes

Buy DE LA SOUL / EYE KNOW Amazon

15.  Julee Cruise- Falling

Buy Falling – Floating Into the Night

Buy Falling (Album Version)Amazon

16.  Guns N’ Roses- Patience              *On “Lies EP” released 11/88, but single released 5/89

Buy Patience – Guns N’ Roses: Greatest Hits

Buy Patience Amazon

Best of 1989 Volume 7 (3/19/12)

1.  The Cure- Plainsong

Buy Plainsong – Disintegration (Remastered)

Buy Plainsong Amazon

2.  Spacemen 3- Lord Can You Hear Me

Buy Lord Can You Hear Me? – Playing With Fire (Single Disc Version)

Buy Lord Can You Hear Me?Amazon

3.  Julee Cruise- Floating

Buy Floating – Floating Into the Night

Buy Floating (Album Version)Amazon

4.  Galaxie 500- When Will You Come Home

Buy When Will You Come Home – On Fire

Buy When Will You Come HomeAmazon

5.  New Order- Guilty Partner

Buy Guilty Partner – Technique

Buy Guilty PartnerAmazon

6.  Ministry- Thieves

Buy Thieves – The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste

Buy Thieves (Album Version)Amazon

7.  Electronic- Getting Away With It

Buy Getting Away With It – Electronic

Buy Getting Away With It (Album Version)Amazon

8.  Another Sunny Day- You Should All Be Murdered

Buy You Should All Be Murdered – Air Balloon Road

Buy You Should All Be MurderedAmazon

9.  The Beastie Boys- Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun

Buy Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun – Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Remastered Edition)

Buy Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun [Explicit]Amazon

10.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers- Taste the Pain

Buy Taste the Pain – Mother’s Milk

Buy Taste The Pain (2003 Digital Remaster) Amazon

11.  Stop the Violence Movement- Self-Destruction

*Track not available via iTunes

Buy STOP THE VIOLENCE MOVEMENT / SELF DESTRUCTIONAmazon

12.  Chill Rob G- Let the Words Flow

Buy Let the Words Flow – Ride the Rhythm

Buy Let The Words Flow [Explicit]Amazon

13.  The Pixies- No. 13 Baby

Buy No. 13 Baby – Doolittle

Buy No 13 BabyAmazon

14.  De La Soul- Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin’s Revenge)

*Track not available via iTunes

Buy Jenifa Taught Me [Vinyl] Amazon

15.  The Stone Roses- Made of Stone

Buy Made of Stone (Remastered) – The Stone Roses (Remastered)

Buy Made Of Stone (Remastered)Amazon

16.  Neil Young- No More

Buy No More – Freedom

Buy No MoreAmazon

Best of 1989 Volume 8 (3/19/12)

1.  The Smithereens- A Girl Like You

Buy A Girl Like You – 11

Buy A Girl Like YouAmazon

2.  The Cynics- Baby What’s Wrong

Buy Baby What’s Wrong – Rock & Roll (Remastered)

Buy Baby What’s Wrong Amazon

3.  Neil Young- Don’t Cty

Buy Don’t Cry – Freedom

Buy Don’t CryAmazon

4.  Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers- Runnin’ Down a Dream

Buy Runnin’ Down a Dream – Full Moon Fever

Buy Runnin’ Down A DreamAmazon

5.  The Red Hot Chili Peppers- Johnny Kick a Hole in the Sky

Buy Johnny, Kick a Hole In the Sky – Mother’s Milk

Buy Johnny, Kick A Hole In The Sky (2003 Digital Remaster) [Explicit]Amazon

6.  Faith No More- Falling to Pieces

Buy Falling to Pieces – The Real Thing

Buy Falling To Pieces Amazon

7.  The Pixies- Tame

Buy Tame – Doolittle

Buy TameAmazon

8.  Fugazi- And the Same

Buy And the Same – 13 Songs

Buy And The Same Amazon

9.  The Mekons- Echo

*Track not available on iTunes or Amazon

10.  Stevie Ray Vaughan- Tightrope

Buy Tightrope – In Step (Bonus Track Version)

Buy Tightrope Amazon

11.  The Beastie Boys- High Plains Drifter

Buy High Plains Drifter – Paul’s Boutique

Buy High Plains Drifter (2009 Digital Remaster) [Explicit]Amazon

12.  De La Soul- Change in Speak

*Track not available on iTunes or Amazon

13.  Jungle Brothers- Black Woman

Buy Black Woman – Done By the Forces of Nature

Buy Black Woman (Album Version)Amazon

14.  Janet Jackson- Alright

Buy Alright – Rhythm Nation 1814

Buy AlrightAmazon

15.  EPMD- Please Listen to My Demo

Buy Please Listen To My Demo – Unfinished Business

Buy Please Listen To My Demo [Explicit]Amazon

16.  Inner City- Good Life

Buy Whatcha Gonna Do With My Lovin’ – Good Life – The Best of Inner City

Buy Good Life (Edit) Amazon

17.  Soul II Soul- Holdin’ On (Bambelala)

Buy Holdin’ On (Bambelala) – Keep On Movin’

Buy Holdin’ OnAmazon

18.  Nine Inch Nails- Sin

Buy Sin – Pretty Hate Machine (2010 Remaster)

Buy SinAmazon

19.  Chris Isaak- Wicked Game

Buy Wicked Game – Heart Shaped World

Buy Wicked GameAmazon

1. Lenny Kravitz- Let Love Rule
2. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble- Crossfire
3. The Replacements- Talent Show
4. The Wedding Present- Brassneck
5. New Order- Run
6. Frankie Knuckles- Tears
7. Galaxie 500- Isn’t It A Pity
8. The Cure- Closedown
9. Nine Inch Nails- Something I Can Never Have
10. Julee Cruise- Rockin’ Back Inside My Heart
11. Tears For Fears- Sowing The Seeds Of Love (Single Edit)
12. Janet Jackson- Love Will Never Do (Without You)
13. De La Soul- The Magic Number
14. Jungle Brothers- Promo No. 2 (Mind Review ’89)
15. Gang Starr- DJ Premier In Deep Concentration
16. 808 State- Pacific State