“Murmur” by R.E.M. (1981, IRS)

 

 

There should be little debate about the influence of the Athens quartet’s debut LP, a jangly rock matserpiece that spawned what became known as “college rock.”

 

 

 

 

“Damaged” by Black Flag (1981, SST)

 

 

An early hardcore punk statement, and easily one of the best.

 

 

 

 

"Zen Arcade” by Husker Du (1984, SST)

 

 

A sprawling double album that redefined hardcore punk by incorporating elements of jazz, pop, tape experiments, acoustic songs, pianos, and psychedelia.

 

 

 

 

“Hatful of Hollow” by The Smiths (1984, Rough Trade)

 

The kings of repackaging, The Smiths released this compilation of rarities and singles just months after their debut, self-titled album. “Hatful of Hollow” contains many of the best Smiths’ songs, including the classics “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now,” “Girl Afraid,” and “How Soon Is Now?”

 

 

 

 

“Let it Be” by The Replacements (1984, Twin/Tone)

 

The Little Band that Couldn’t, the Replacements were loveable ragtag misfits led by the genius of Paul Westerberg. “Let it Be” was a watersehd album that perfectly captured all that was brilliant about the Minneapolis quartet.

 

 

 

 

“Double Nickels on the Dime” by The Minutemen (1984, SST)

 

44 songs infused with hardcore punk spirit, funked up greatness, and political furor. Simply sublime.

 

 

 

 

“Psychocandy” by The Jesus and Mary Chain (1985, Blanco y Negro)

 

 

The godfather’s of shoegaze, The Jesus and Mary Chain’s debut album was electric with guitar fuzz overloaded and blasted at ear splitting levels. Add to that some killer hooks and you have a masterpiece.

 

 

 

 

“Bug” by Dinosaur Jr. (1988, SST)

 

 

Kick ass songs + guitar pyrotechnics = pre-grunge greatness.

 

 

 

 

“Surfer Rosa” by the Pixies (1988, 4AD)

 

 

Sounds unlike anything else at the time…and since. Cited by Kurt Cobain as a major influence, and for good reason.

 

 

 

 

“Superfuzz Bigmuff” by Mudhoney (1988, Sub Pop)

 

 

The first shot from Seattle, this signalled the grunge revolution soon to follow.

 

 

 

 

“Daydream Nation” by Sonic Youth (1988, Enigma)

 

 

Post-punk, art rock brilliance with the ultimate indie anti-anthem, “Teenage Riot.”

 

 

 

 

“The Stone Roses” by Stone Roses (1989, Silvertone)

 

 

Miles ahead of their Madchester peers, “The Stone Roses” is a shockingly great debut album that features ace guitar work, funky rhythms, soaring melodies, candy hooks, and British swagger.

 

 

 

 

“No Depression” by Uncle Tupelo (1990, Rockville)

 

 

It spawned a whole movement, known as Alt-Country, and brilliantly merged punk rock with country instrumentation and harmony of the Carter Family and Hank Williams.

 

 

 

 

“Repeater” by Fugazi (1990, Dischord)

 

 

Independent to the core, Ian McKaye and Fugazi gave the middle finger to capitalism and the almighty dollar through its post-hardcore sloganeering.

 

 

 

 

“Spiderland” by Slint (1991, Touch & Go)

 

 

Forbearers to post-rock and math-rock, “Spiderland” is the yardstick by which all others in the genre are measured.

 

 

 

 

“Loveless” by My Bloody Valentine (1991, Creation)

 

 

They took the torch from the Jesus and Mary Chain and ran with it, creating the “Sgt. Pepper’s” of shoegazing.

 

 

 

 

“Slanted & Enchanted” by Pavement (1992, Matador)

 

 

Lo-fi, quirky, and imbued with a wonderful sense of humor, “Slanted & Enchanted” set the stage for the lo-fi indie revolution soon to follow.

 

 

 

 

“Bee Thousand” by Guided by Voices (1994, Matador)

 

 

Indie rock for beer drinking classic rock fans. From the brilliant mind of Robert Pollard.

 

 

 

 

“If You’re Feeling Sinister” by Belle & Sebastian (1996, Matador)

 

 

They saved indie rock from the aggressive, guitar-fueled tunes that were saturating the genre. Highly literate, sensitive, witty, and gentle, “If You’re Feeling Sinister” is the “Catcher in the Rye” of indie music.

 

 

 

 

“In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” by Neutral Milk Hotel (1998, Merge)

 

 

One writer likened this record to a “marching band on an acid trip.” Apt description, but it’s so much more. The songs, the singing saws, the horns, the shambling rhythms, and the brilliant, stream-of-conciousness surreal lyrics all add up to an album of unmatched individuality. One of the best records of the ’90s.

 

 

http://biolog.jamsbio.com/2008/08/01/most-...of-the-80s-90s/

 

Any albums do you think they missed out? Any albums you think shouldnt be there?

I'm guessing the list is coming from an American blog - esp since “If You’re Feeling Sinister” by Belle & Sebastian is credited as being out on Matador rather than Jeepster.

Meat is Murder and Queen is Dead

Isn't Anything

Beastie Boys - 'Ill Communication'.

Beastie Boys - 'Ill Communication'.

 

thats a good one, although i perfer 'Licesned To Ill'

 

yeah i cant spell :(