1989

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[Album 976 – 982 / 1001]

Of the ‘1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die,’ 28 are from the year 1989.

I’ve reviewed all but seven of them already (Spacemen 3 – Playing With Fire, John Zorn – Spy vs. Spy: Music of Ornette Coleman, Baaba Maal & Mansour Seck – Djam Leelii, The Cure – Disintegration, Coldcut – What’s That Noise?, De La Soul – 3 Feet High & Rising, Jungle Brothers – Done by the Forces of Nature).

Which 1989 albums are the most essential to hear again?

Ranked by their essential-ness, here’s how I’d prioritize revisiting these 28 albums, enjoy!

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28. Barry Adamson – Moss Side Story. His first of two on the list.

27. Soul II Soul – Club Classics Vol. One. Not to be confused with De La Soul (also with a 1001 album from 1989)

26. Young Gods- L’eau Rouge. The years of French paid off, in knowing that this meant ‘the red water’ …

25. 808 State – 90. …and I enjoyed learning here that an ‘808’ is a drum machine.

24. Baaba Maal & Mansour Seck – Djam Leelii.

23. John Zorn – Spy vs. Spy: Music of Ornette Coleman.

Quite different in sound, yet their two respective rankings could easily be interchangeable.

22. Queen Latifah – All Hail the Queen. From around the time of her memorable Fresh Prince appearances.

21. Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation 1814.

Not meaning to brag, but I have this on CD / Cassette / (title track on) Cassingle!

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20. Coldcut – What’s that Noise?

When teaching integers, I often say, in math and only in math, 2 wrongs make a right.

(-2)(-3) = + 6.

And I suppose I’ve found an asterisk to the ‘only in math’ rule as with this album, the idea of coldcuts & unidentifiable noise aren’t terribly appealing, yet together, it’s a positive outcome!

19. Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi. Mmmmmmmmmmmm sushi.

18. Bonnie Raitt – Nick of Time. A good one from start to finish.

17. John Lee Hooker – The Healer. Should be good for what ails.

16. Fugazi – Repeater. Unlike the ‘Fugazi’ as described by Matthew McConaughey in The Wolf of Wall Street, this does exist & I’m glad it does!

15. Jungle Brothers – Done by the Forces of Nature.

14. De La Soul – 3 Feet High & Rising.

13. Spacemen 3 – Playing With Fire.

You know the expression, right place, right time?

I have a sneaking suspicion that these albums are the right albums for me, I just didn’t run into them at the right place &/or time.

As a result, I’m confident that I’ll be back at a more optimal occasion.

12. N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton. I’m pleased to own the audiocassette.

11. fIREHOSE – Fromohio. Anything that makes me think of UHF, sold!

10. Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule. Up there with his fine Zoolander cameo.

9. Faith No More – The Real Thing. It’s it!

Also known as the opposite of this band:

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8. Madonna – Like a Prayer. Her first of three.

7. Aerosmith – Pump. Their third of three.

6. Pixies – Doolittle. Their second of three.

5. New Order – Technique. Their second of two.

4. Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique. Their second of three.

3. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses. I Wanna Be Adored, what an opener.

2. Kate Bush – The Sensual World. Love & Anger especially.

1. The Cure – Disintegration. To borrow a line from Kyle on South Park, Disintegration is the best album ever (or at least from 1989)!

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Verbalize the Positive

I love when years are name-checked in song, such as in Public Enemy’s Fight the Power.

1989, the number, another summer!