Looking at 1990 this not quite so strong a year! That said I love this album!
I'm going to agree to disagree with @Joe Mac here. For sure, 1986 has some all-timers that are particularly in my wheelhouse (Smiths, Metallica, Beastie Boys) - which should bias me in concurrence with him here. But, there are a couple of releases that, arguably, have a had greater impact overall than 1986's best. Fear of A Black Planet is arguably one of the most musically and culturally significant records of all time.
It was actually harder to whittle this down to a top 5/10 than for other years. These are in order of my own personal preference and there are some here I know I am waaaay out on my own personal on a limb on:
Honorable Mentions who didn't make the cut
- Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
- Uncle Tupelo - No Depression
- Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
- The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker
- They Might Be Giants - Flood
- Social Distortion - S/T
- Fugazi - Repeater
- George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice
- Big Head Todd & The Monsters - Midnight Radio
- Cinderella - Heartbreak Station
Jane's Addiction - Ritual De Lo Habitual
Pantera - Cowboys from Hell
Sonic Youth - Goo
Depeche Mode - Violator
Concrete Blonde - Bloodletting
Midnight Oil - Blue Sky Mining
Tesla - Five Man Acoustical Jam
you mean you’re disagreeing with me
tbh I’d be much more worried if you agreed with me
I know...shocker right?
When this occurs, I'm convinced its is grounded in Left vs. Right side of the pond experience/context, more than anything.
more than likely. I think up until about 00 we still had pretty distinct music scenes and only the biggest/most interesting crossed over to a large degree. In our online everything everywhere at the same time world now the boundaries are much less clear.