Favourite Five Of 1987

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”

Favourite Five Of 1982

1982 was an absolute cracker when it came to Australian music. Some of my favourite Aussie albums were released in this year and I believe I could have not only made all these choices Australian (I didn’t), I could have done so twice over.

Circus Animals by Cold Chisel

Cold Chisel’s chart-topping fourth studio album, Circus Animals

Circus Animals remained on the Australian charts for 40 weeks. It is not hard to understand why when it is filled to the brim with brilliant songs. This is one of those albums where I just love every track. The band did amazingly well given they were following up its very successful predecessor, East. An album this good means it was very hard to pick a favourite!

Favourite track: The superb Steve Prestwich composition, “When The War Is Over”

Primitive Man by Icehouse

Primitive Man was the first album recorded under the band name Icehouse

Iva Davies and co still had great songs in the tank despite releasing this just under two years their previous album under their prior band name of Flowers. Containing several hit singles the album also features one of their most well-known tracks in “Great Southern Land”.

Favourite track: The afore-mentioned “Great Southern Land”

Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden

Number Of The Beast was Iron Maiden’s first album with Bruce Dickinson on lead vocals

I adore this album as it was my real introduction to the band. Another of those where I love every track on it. I remember being absolutely blown away by Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocals. Seeing Iron Maiden videos on episodes of Countdown on the ABC was also an unusual experience as I had seen nothing like them on that show before.

Favourite track: “Hallowed Be Thy Name”

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 by Midnight Oil

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 became better known by the simplified 10 to 1 by Midnight Oil fans

Although 10 to 1 only peaked at number 3 on the Australian album charts it remained on the charts for an incredible 171 weeks. That is just unprecedented for an Australian band. I love the quote from Rolling Stone Magazine’s David Fricke, who said the album, “sounds like the end of the world turned up to 10”. This was Midnight Oil’s first album to get a US release and was their fourth overall.

Favourite track: “Power And The Passion” with its fantastic Rob Hirst drum solo

Shabooh Shoobah by INXS

The magnificent third album from INXS and my favourite of theirs, Shabooh Shoobah

I originally had this album on cassette and currently own it on remastered compact disc. At some point I may even get it on vinyl. I will never tire of this one and I think it is the best album INXS made. Sure The Swing, Listen Like Thieves and Kick are great too, but I still prefer this. INXS toured the US for the first time on the back of this album.

Favourite track: “To Look At You”

Favourite Five Of 1981

Icehouse by Flowers

The album from Flowers released in 1981 would soon become their band name

This is a stunning debut album containing several hits for the band that would become better known as Icehouse. The songwriting and vocal work of Iva Davies was on full display here and it surprised no one that the band would go on to a very successful career in Australia.

Favourite track: “Walls”

I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll was the first album credited to Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett, former member of the Runaways, released her solo debut album in 1980. After that album was released Jett recruited the band that would become the Blackhearts and re-entered the studio to record this album. It is Jett’s biggest commercial success selling over one million copies.

Favourite track: The cover of “I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll” originally recorded by the Arrows

Days Of Innocence by Moving Pictures

The unsurpassed debut album from Moving Pictures, Days Of Innocence

This album is often overshadowed by the incredible success of its second single, “What About Me?”, which would top the Australian charts in 1982. For me, it is my least favourite track on the album and not representative of the quality of the rest of the material. I love this album and found it hard to pick a favourite!

Favourite track: “Wings”

Dare by The Human League

Dare was the Human League’s third studio album but the first to feature a new line-up

After the break-up of the original line-up Phil Oakey decided to move the band in a more pop-oriented direction. To assist with that intended aim, Ian Burden was welcomed to the band and with the addition of teen singer/dancers Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, they were ready to get started. Pairing with veteran producer Martin Rushent was most likely a contributing factor in their success as well. With four hit singles released, it is little wonder the album was a multi-platinum seller. I can remember at one time wanting hair like Phil Oakey’s…

Favourite track: “Love Action (I Believe In Love)”

Business As Usual by Men At Work

Business As Usual was the debut album from Men At Work

Australian music was really finding its feet in the early 80s. Even so, no one predicted the unmitigated international success of Men At Work on the back of their single “Down Under”. The album spent 15 weeks at number 1 in the US album charts, which was unprecedented for an Australian band. I love this album and their second Cargo, after which the wheels would begin to fall off for the original line-up.

Favourite track: “Be Good Johnny”