What albums from the '80's don't sound dated?

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by audiodrome, Aug 28, 2003.

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  1. Damián

    Damián Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Spain now
    Just as an opinion, this one (as much as I like it) does sound fairly dated to me.

    Good call on Ocean Rain.. with the rather sparse acoustic arrangements it wasn't as likely to be a victim of 'bad dating' as other albums employing more synths/processed instruments. I haven't heard anything else by Echo & the BM though.
     
  2. Dan C

    Dan C Forum Fotographer

    Location:
    The West
    I have to mention Squeeze 'cause my goal in life it to see a full Squeeze revival before I die. ;)

    "Argybargy" might have sight bit of 80s "new wave" feel but production wise it's gimmick free.

    "East Side Story" is a classic from start to finish and will always remain timeless.

    "Sweets From a Stranger" is also quite timeless in sound and style, in fact some of the songs even echo the pre-rock standards.

    Then something terribly bad happened and Squeeze took a very wrong turn into the worst possible 80s production bombast with "Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti". Good songs, horrible sound.

    They came back around with "Babylon and On". A few synth flourishes might give away the era, but overall it's a solid gimmick-free production.

    I also agree with other's lists that include everything from Los Lobos, Crowded House, and REM.

    Dan C
     
  3. fjhuerta

    fjhuerta New Member

    Location:
    México City
    Not that it's a bad thing, after all.

    IMHO, the 80's were all about happiness and cheer. The 90's are a lot darker and moodier. HL & The News were, thus, as dated as their peers due to this fact (along with Cyndi Lauper, The Cars, Billy Idol, The Go-Go's, and almost anyone else I can think of :) )
     
  4. Hoser Rob

    Hoser Rob Member

    Roxy Music - "Avalon"
     
  5. Mark H

    Mark H Senior Member

    Location:
    upstate N.Y.
    Springsteen's Born in the USA Lp
    Joan Jett's first couple of Lps
    Tom Petty just about all of 'em
     
  6. Graham Start

    Graham Start Forum Resident

    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    I would argue that the 70s were all about happiness and cheer, and the 80s were darker (with the 90s being darker still).

    I can't remember if it was Benny or Bjorn, but one of the fellows in Abba said not too long ago that nobody seemed to want to hear happy, upbeat music in the 80s.

    The Smiths, New Order, Soft Cell, and all that cold-war-angst rock music is very 80s, and there's not a lot of happiness there...
     
  7. Roland Stone

    Roland Stone Offending Member

    I'm surprised at all the mentions of U2's albums, since I think Steve Lilywhite's big-bam-boom production is one of the more dated styles of the eighties. I love WAR, even laid down the bucks for the MFSL gold disc, but the drum sound screams "eighties!"
     
  8. Bruce Burgess

    Bruce Burgess Senior Member

    Location:
    Hamilton, Canada
    Everything by the Police, U2 and the Bangles still sound good to me.
     
  9. Roland Stone

    Roland Stone Offending Member

    FWIW, I'd rank Julia Fordham's albums thus:

    1. PORCELAIN
    2. EAST WEST
    3. FALLING FORWARD
    4. CONCRETE LOVE
    5. SWEPT
    6. JULIA FORDHAM

    The COLLECTION anthology is unusually well-selected, so that's as good a place to start as any. I'm somewhat baffled by her lack of big success, considering her talent and, well, looks (someone posted cover art above; she modeled on the side while shopping demos in London). Seems like the total package for our video-driven era, but I've only seen the one for "Manhattan Skyline."

    The only thing I can think of is that she hasn't done the Diane Warren-style power ballad crossover, for which I am thankful. I still can't forgive Chrissy Hynde for "I'll Stand By You."
     
  10. Peter Allen

    Peter Allen New Member

    Location:
    Australia
    King Crimson - Discipline / Beat / Three of a Perfect Pair

    It's cheating since it wasn't released in the '80s, just recorded then, but I'll include it anyway;

    King Crimson - Absent Lovers (1984 live)
     
  11. Metralla

    Metralla Joined Jan 13, 2002

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Ron,

    I bought Porcelain at Tower Records on Saturday for $9.99 as a result of your recommendation. Unfortunately, there are a few new CDs/SACDs ahead of it in the queue, so I can't post my thoughts on it yet. In fact, it's "Avalon" on SACD right now for the first time - wow!

    Regards,
    Geoff
     
  12. Peter Allen

    Peter Allen New Member

    Location:
    Australia
    Question is - is this a bad thing, or a sign of originality? For example, could Little Richard's classics been recorded at any other time than the '50s?

    Anyway, forget the theory, I have to add;

    Dire Straits - Love Over Gold (to Brothers In Arms, that everyone else has picked)

    Bob Dylan - Oh Mercy

    Bob Dylan - Infidels + the outtakes from Bootleg Series Vol 1-3
    This one's a DIY combination. There was a masterpiece album here, trouble is most of it got left on the cutting room floor.

    Laurie Anderson - Big Science / Mister Heartbreak
     
  13. mrstats

    mrstats Senior Member

    Bob Dylan - Infidels
    Rolling Stones - Tattoo You
    John Fogerty - Centerfield
     
  14. Roland Stone

    Roland Stone Offending Member

    It's BLACK AND BLUE. Come to think of it, SOME GIRLS sounds pretty good, too, when it wants to: "Beast of Burden," "Miss You." While we're on the subject, I was always surprised that "Hand of Fate" wasn't the single off BLACK AND BLUE, instead of "Hot Stuff." "Hand of Fate" is probably the most immediately likable, Classic Rock-styled track most listeners haven't heard from The Rolling Stones.
     
  15. Matt Ellers

    Matt Ellers Senior Member

    Location:
    Australia
     
  16. Matt Ellers

    Matt Ellers Senior Member

    Location:
    Australia
     
  17. Oatsdad

    Oatsdad Oat, Biscuits, Abbie & Mitzi: Best Dogs Ever

    Location:
    Alexandria VA
    No one's saying that "dated" = "BAD". Or maybe they are, but I don't think so. Something can sound distinctly like a product of its era - ie, dated - but still be excellent.

    I must say I disagree with a lot of these choices. Many are excellent albums but have a sound that isolates them in their eras. For example:

    Springsteen's "Born in the USA" and "Tunnel Of Love". Both are extremely Eighties sounding albums. They have that thinness and excessive reverb typical of the era - especially "USA". Both are good stuff - especially "Tunnel" - but they're definitely dated. Of Bruce's Eighties material, "Nebraska" totally avoids any dated essence - kind of inevitable given its spare production - and I think "The River" also doesn't sound like an Eighties album. It's thin but not in that echoey way typical of most Eighties music.

    Lauper's "She's So Unusual". C'mon, folks - it doesn't get much more dated that this! I listened to it recently for the first time in years and found it a bit tough to take due to the production. It includes some fine material, but it just screams "Eighties cheese" in the production.
     
  18. lsupro

    lsupro King of Ignorers

    Location:
    Rocklin, CA
    is there something wrong with dated?

    I love the 80's sound!
     
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