Tallulah by The Go-Betweens
Tallulah was the fifth studio album released by the Go-Betweens, their first as a five-piece
With the addition of multi-instrumentalist Amanda Brown to the line-up, the sound of the Go-Betweens seemed to be fuller. Whether it was her violin adding another dimension, or just the improved songwriting of Forster & McLennan, their overall sound went ahead leaps and bounds on this album. I had heard several of their songs previously, and enjoyed them, but this was the first album of theirs I bought outright. On cassette actually and I loved it then and still do.
Favourite track: “Right Here”
Surfing With The Alien by Joe Satriani
Joe Satriani’s second studio album cemented his reputation as a respected rock guitarist
Nobody in Australia had heard of Joe Satriani before this album. This is the one that became the foundation of his career as well as providing the blueprint for his future album releases. Instrumental guitar music had not been received so well since its heyday in the era of Duane Eddy, the Shadows, Dick Dale and Link Wray et al. The album was a gold seller reaching the top 10 in Australia, a silver seller reaching the top 20 in the UK and with platinum sales peaked in the top 30 in the US. Not bad for an album that only cost $13,000 to make!
Favourite track: “Satch Boogie”
Diesel And Dust by Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil’s sixth album was produced by Warne Livesey with the band themselves
Midnight Oil went on their Blackfella/Whitefella Tour of remote indigenous communities with the Warumpi Band and Gondwanaland in 1986. This album was born out of that experience and is at its core, a concept album about the struggles of Australia’s indigenous people as well as addressing environmental issues. In its sound it is 100% Oils. The album was the band’s most successful both in Australia and internationally and has been critically lauded since its release.
Favourite track: “Beds Are Burning” may be their most successful track, but my favourite will always be “Sometimes”
Appetite For Destruction by Guns N’ Roses
The album took over a year to top the US charts but would go on to sell 18 million copies
I think this is a fantastic debut album and for me, their best. I loved “Sweet Child o’ Mine” right from the first listen and on impulse went out and bought a copy. I flogged it to death for weeks and weeks and enjoyed the whole thing. You know you are listening to a good album when your favourite track keeps changing.
Favourite track: “Welcome To The Jungle”
Man Of Colours by Icehouse
Man Of Colours was the first Australian album to feature five top 30 singles
Man Of Colours was the fifth studio album released by Icehouse and their most successful. “Electric Blue” was the second single released from the album and ended up being their only number 1 hit in Australia. The album itself topped the Australian charts for 11 weeks and even made it to number one in New Zealand as well as doing well in the US, the Netherlands and the UK.
Favourite track: “Nothing Too Serious”
The Slabthrower 