Not nearly as strong a year as 1980, but still plenty to choose from. For me it was a toss-up between the punk/rockabilly of X, the pure pop of Elvis Costello and The Go-Go’s, and the post-punkish Psychedelic Furs. In the end I went with the Furs just because of the memories I have associated with the album. It’s also nice to see Human Switchboard make the list, though I doubt it will get any votes.
Yeah, interesting, after how insane 1980 was to choose from, there’s actually not too much here I listen to today. I’ll go for the fun Go-Go’s album in this one.
I went for Squeeze.
I almost chose Squeeze, but in the end, I had to go with Controversy.
I’ll go with X. I don’t listen to them much anymore, but I played that album into the ground once upon a day. Prince would probably be my second choice.
I could have chosen Elvis or Squeeze, but I went with X. Great albums, all. As for the list overall, much weaker than the previous four years IMO.
Kind of surprised Controversy has the most votes so far. I’m a huge Prince fan, but aside from the title track and “Do Me, Baby”, I find it a pretty pro forma album from the man.
I went with the Go-Go’s. I hadn’t heard of them until they opened for The Police at the old Capital Center in early 1982, and they absolutely rocked. Immediately went out and bought the album, and then of course they were all over the airwaves. Can’t think of the winter of 1982 without their music running through my head.
For me, it came down to Squeeze, the Go-Gos, the Clash, or the Psychedelic Furs. (I actually haven’t heard the whole Furs album, but I just heard them on a podcast of that “Sound Opinions” radio show, and remembered how I dig their sound).
Went with Squeeze. That’s some well-crafted Britpop there, burying that sweet spot between New Wave, early Beatlesque rock’n’roll, and wry Brit tunesmithing in the vein of the Kinks, the Jam, and some Elvis Costello.
I think I’m supposed to go with Squeeze, but in the end still think “Trust” is the best of these albums. “Wild Gift” was a big favorite for a while, but all the songs have a certain sameness.