Retro Albums of the Year 2010's: 2020

[WildRanger]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Why?

Because it's the most mentioned album for 1989 here and it's not classic Rush and generally it's not considered to be among top-tier stuff in Rush discography.

Bottom tier Rush still better than top-tier most other bands.

I am a Rush fan, but nah.

[Stadler]

Not mentioned yet:

Extreme - Extreme

I threw it on my list, some of the tightest guitar playing I've ever heard on that record. The intro to "Kid Ego" **Chef's kiss**

Yeah; some of the lyrics are embarrassing, but man does Nuno SLAY on that record.  This is just my impression, backed up by absolutely nothing, but that seemed to be when he was all about showing his chops, and not being an "artiste", as some of the later (but still excellent) albums showed. 

[Stadler]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Why?

Because it's the most mentioned album for 1989 here and it's not classic Rush and generally it's not considered to be among top-tier stuff in Rush discography.

Bottom tier Rush still better than top-tier most other bands.

I'm not sure about that, but Presto isn't "bottom-tier" for me.  It's solidly in that "5 to 10" range in terms of rankings.  Only MP, Hemispheres, AFTK and Signals clearly beat it.

[King Postwhore]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Pure nonsense.

[WildRanger]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Pure nonsense.

What is nonsense exactly?

[TAC]

I'm not sure about that, but Presto isn't "bottom-tier" for me.  It's solidly in that "5 to 10" range in terms of rankings. 

Yeah, same here. Presto really reinvigorated me to get back into Rush's music.

The thing about Presto is that it seemed to signal the end of the synth era with a more stripped down guitar based approach.

I used to refer to this album as Adult Contemporary Rush. It sounds like a mature band, comfortable in their skin. It's how I felt then, and I still feel the same way now.

[King Postwhore]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Pure nonsense.

What is nonsense exactly?

I high majority is picking this as an album this like which you pointed out.  So if that's the case your assumption of the album is wrong.

Or you could just say it's not my cup of tea from them.

[TAC]

I high

[wolfking]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Pure nonsense.

What is nonsense exactly?

I high majority is picking this as an album this like which you pointed out.  So if that's the case your assumption of the album is wrong.

Or you could just say it's not my cup of tea from them.

Errrr.......okay.

[King Postwhore]

Not at all.  He seems shocked that so many like it. I'm pointing out he never talks about tastes.  It's a matter of fact his thought process is the only way.  Come on Kade,  you know this.   

[King Postwhore]

I high

A high. Lol

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Why?

Because it's the most mentioned album for 1989 here and it's not classic Rush and generally it's not considered to be among top-tier stuff in Rush discography.

Bottom tier Rush still better than top-tier most other bands.

[wolfking]

Not at all.  He seems shocked that so many like it. I'm pointing out he never talks about tastes.  It's a matter of fact his thought process is the only way.  Come on Kade,  you know this.   

Oh hey, I completely agree with you Joe, was more picking on you with the 'I high' thing also.    Took me a few reads to pick up I should have been A haha.  Poor humor from me.

But, Presto is a bloody great album.  The Pass alone makes it enough to place it on my list.  There's heaps more great tunes on it though.

[King Postwhore]

I just came off of 4 hours of walking and smelling flowers. I may have been high.  Or delusional from the pain. 

[Zoom E]

1989

Faith No More - The Real Thing
Black Sabbath - Headless Cross
Heir Apparent - One Small Voice
Annihilator - Alice in Hell
Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry
Soundgarden - Louder Than Love
Voi Vod - Nothingface
Lillian Axe - Love and War
Overkill - The Years of Decay
Lizzy Borden - Master of Disguise
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk
Oliver Magnum - Oliver Magnum
Dream Theater - When Dream and Day Unite
Wrathchild America - Climbin’ the Walls
Kingdom Come - In Your Face
Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine

[TAC]

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk

Dammit, I forgot this one. This is a great album that I was indeed listening to back then. It's one of two RHCP albums that I really like, the other being One Hot Minute..

[Zoom E]

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk

Dammit, I forgot this one. This is a great album that I was indeed listening to back then. It's one of two RHCP albums that I really like, the other being One Hot Minute..

Johnny Kick A Hole in the Sky 

[ariich]

Hmm, plenty of good albums in 1989, but no great ones for me.

1. Queen - The Miracle
2. Loreena McKennitt - Parallel Dreams
3. Billy Joel - Storm Front
4. Faith No More - The Real Thing
5. Cardiacs - On Land and in the Sea
6. Alannah Myles - Alannah Myles
7. The Cult - Sonic Temple
8. Lizzy Borden - Master of Disguise
9. Dream Theater - When Dream and Day Unite
10. Bad Religion - No Control
11. Extreme - Extreme
12. Fates Warning - Perfect Symmetry
13. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother's Milk   
14. Rush - Presto
15. Miles Davis - Aura

Also pretty good:
The Cure - Disintegration
Pixies - Doolittle

[Volante99]

Gotta go with The Cure - “Disintegration” as best album of ‘89.

Whitesnake’s “Slip of the Tongue” is underrated as well. I know the purists hate it but I think it’s a damn fun album- Now You’re Gone, Fool for Your Lovin, Judgement Day, and Kittens Got Claws which Vai has gone on record saying it’s one of his favorite songs. Really the album is a banger from start to finish.

King Diamond - “Conspiracy”; again hot take but this is arguably the best album he’s ever done. LaRoque, Blakk, and Mikkey Dee are all on fire.

[WildRanger]

I can't believe that Presto is included in 7/9 lists.

Why?

Because it's the most mentioned album for 1989 here and it's not classic Rush and generally it's not considered to be among top-tier stuff in Rush discography.

Bottom tier Rush still better than top-tier most other bands.

[WildRanger]

I'm not sure about that, but Presto isn't "bottom-tier" for me.  It's solidly in that "5 to 10" range in terms of rankings. 

Yeah, same here. Presto really reinvigorated me to get back into Rush's music.

The thing about Presto is that it seemed to signal the end of the synth era with a more stripped down guitar based approach.

I used to refer to this album as Adult Contemporary Rush. It sounds like a mature band, comfortable in their skin. It's how I felt then, and I still feel the same way now.

I always thought that music on Presto lacked "balls". It's too much SOFT ROCK Rush for my tastes. I'd argue that The Pass is barely a ROCK song. And it's really surprising that a hard rocker/heavy metaller as you loves Presto.

[TAC]

Well I am a well known hater of The Pass… and War Paint.

But while it’s relatively not heavy, it marks a return to a guitar based approach. I find the album very chill. It kind of hits a spot.

[SoundscapeMN]

1990

So 1990, the year I changed schools and entered High School. Also the year I discovered Led Zeppelin and classic rock in general in a lot of ways.

Odd how the top is AWESOME. Toy Matinee, Faith Hope Love and Bellybutton are all among my favorite 100 or even 75 favorite albums. But in terms of depth, this is 1 of the THINNEST years ever.

Top fucking Heavy I guess.

Amazing to think both the debut albums from Toy Matinee and Jellyfish were released in the same year, same summer even, LOL. In a parallel universe, Toy Matinee and Jellyfish did an amazing Co-Headlining tour together. And then Kevin went on to collaborate with Sturmer and Manning. Holy fucking shit, my head would have exploded, lol.

And I suppose I'm taking a couple of liberty's with adding compilations from Rush, Renaissance and Van Morrison, but the fact is, especially the Rush and Renaissance I owe more or less so much to my taste to and those specific bands I may never have become a fan of if not for those great compilations. Which the Rush one I got through the old BMG music club I think, and when I think of 1990 or 89 or 88 even, those were kind of a big deal. Even the magazines with the prices and write-up on the bands.

More high levels of nostalgia. I even still have some of those.

At any case, 1990, Toy fucking Matinee and Kevin also did the Dick Tracy soundtrack cues, so it was kind of another big year for my favorite musician ever.


Some other notables like Empire and Ritual De Lo Habitual certainly make me think of that year and this time. The time before grunge came along and hijacked popular music.

Jazz, Death Metal, Pop/Pop-Metal, Soul, and singer-songwriter stuff included. Still thin, but somewhat eclectic.

1. Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee
2. King's X - Faith Hope Love
3. Jellyfish - Bellybutton
4. Queensryche - Empire
5. Jane's Addiction - Ritual de lo Habitual
6. Eric Johnson - Ah Via Musicom
7. Rush - Chronicles
8. Fish - Vigil in the Wilderness of Mirrors
9a. Renaissance - Tales of 1001 Nights Vol. I
9b. Renaissance - Tales of 1001 Nights Vol. II
11. Psychotic Waltz - A Social Grace
12. George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
13. Death - Spiritual Healing
14. The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker
15. Van Morrison - The Best of Van Morrison
16. Megadeth - Rust in Peace
17. Human Radio - Human Radio
18. Styx - Edge of the Century
19. Extreme - II Pornograffitti
20. Madonna - I'm Breathless: Music From and Inspired by the Film Dick Tracy

[Lowdz]

Sorry, a bit late with this one.

[TAC]

Paul, I've been listening to Not Fakin' It this week. That's a good album.

[Stadler]

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk

Dammit, I forgot this one. This is a great album that I was indeed listening to back then. It's one of two RHCP albums that I really like, the other being One Hot Minute..

Johnny Kick A Hole in the Sky 

Love that song.   I'm with TAC: they have two good albums.

[TAC]

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother’s Milk

Dammit, I forgot this one. This is a great album that I was indeed listening to back then. It's one of two RHCP albums that I really like, the other being One Hot Minute..

Johnny Kick A Hole in the Sky 

Love that song.   I'm with TAC: they have two good albums.

Fucking great tune!

[Stadler]

1. Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee
2. Jellyfish - Bellybutton
3. Queensryche - Empire
4. Jane's Addiction - Ritual de lo Habitual
5. Rush - Chronicles
6. Fish - Vigil in the Wilderness of Mirrors
7. Extreme - II Pornograffitti

Excellent records, here.

[WildRanger]

Alright, 1990:

1. Megadeth - Rust in Peace
2. Judas Priest - Painkiller
3. Depeche Mode - Violator
4. Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
5. Kreator - Coma of Souls
6. Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas
7. Alice in Chains - Facelift
8. The Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker
9. Queensryche - Empire
10. Gary Moore - Still Got the Blues

[Lowdz]

I wouldn’t want to be without this mountain of albums. In my defence, the next 10 years will be very sparse 😁

Slaughter - Stick It To Ya

Fish - Vigil In A Wilderness Of Mirrors

Quireboys - A Little Bit Of What You Fancy

Black Crowes - Shake Your Moneymaker

Damn Yankees - st

Riot - Privilege of Power

Thunder - Backstreet Symphony

Heart - Brigade

Gary Moore- Still Got The Blues

Death Angel - Act III

Yngwie - Eclipse

Y&T - Ten

Bad Company - Holy Water

Poison - Flesh & Blood

Nelson - After The Rain

Hurricane - Slave To The Thrill

Winger - In The Heart of the Young

Extreme- Pornograffitti

Firehouse - st

RATT - Detonator

Queensryche- Empire

Judas Priest - Painkiller

Warrant - Cherry Pie

Steve Vai - Passion & Warfare

Don Dokken - Up From The Ashes

Deep Purple - Slaves & Masters

Scorpions- Crazy World

Cinderella- Heartbreak Station

Baton Rouge - Shake Your Soul

Cold Sweat - Breakout

Electric Boys - Funk-o-Metal Carpetride

Micheal Lee Firkins - st

Hurricane Alice - Tear The House Down

Lynch Mob - Wicked Sensation

Talisman - st

Trixter - st

Sleez Beez - Screwed, Blued & Tattooed

[ReaperKK]

Not much for 1990:

1. Extreme - II Pornograffiti - 4/5
2. Pat Metheny, Dave Holland & Roy Haynes - Question And Answer - 3.5/5
3. Andrew Segovia - THe Segovia Collection, Vol. 7: Guitar Etudes - 3/5
4. Pantera - Cowboys From Hell - 3/5
5. Queensryche - Empire - 3/5
6. Mother Love Bone - Apple - 1.5/5
7. Jane's Addiction - Ritual de lo habitual - 1/5

The year was alright in the end.

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

1990 was a bit of a light year, for me at least. The top 9 are still classics and get regular rotation.

1. Judas Priest - Painkiller
2. Psychotic Waltz - A Social Grace
3. Queensryche - Empire
4. Depeche Mode - Violator
5. Fish - Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors
6. Blind Guardian - Tales from the Twilight World
7. Bathory - Hammerheart
8. Atheist - Piece of Time
9. Megadeth - Rust In Peace
10. Forbidden - Twisted into Form
11. Eric Johnson - Ah Via Musicom
12. Ozric Tentacles - Erpland
13. Fugazi - Repeater
14. Primus - Frizzle Fry
15. Sonic Youth - Goo
16. Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee
17. Steve Vai - Passion & Warfare
18. Extreme - II: Pornograffiti
19. Pantera - Cowboys from Hell
20. Alice In Chains - Facelift
21. Phish - Lawn Boy

[HOF]

1990 for me:

1. King's X - Faith Hope Love
2. Queensryche - Empire
3. Toy Matinee - Toy Matinee
4. Eric Johnson - Ah Via Musicom
5. Temple of the Dog - Temple of the Dog
6. Prefab Sprout - Jordan: The Comeback
7. Jellyfish - Bellybutton
8. Winger - In the Heart of the Young
9. Extreme - Extreme II: Pornograffitti
10. Toad the Wet Sprocket - Pale

[MirrorMask]

Not such a great year overall, but some good stuff for my 1990:

1- Judas Priest - Painkiller

Hands down the triumphant and all balls down heavy metal album of the year, with a legendary title track that will live on forever in heavy metal olympus.

2. Blind Guardian - Tales from the Twilight World
3. Rage - Reflections of a Shadow

The podium is being completed by two of my three favorite german bands.

Then, in random order, honorable mentions for:

Iron Maiden - No Prayer for the Dying
Iced Earth - Iced Earth
Queensryche - Empire
Gamma Ray - Heading for Tomorrow
Bruce Dickinson - Tattoed Millionaire
Jon Bon Jovi - Blaze of Glory
Black Sabbath - Tyr

[jingle.boy]

Fuck Paul, I'm barely going to be able to list anything if I don't get in here before you do!

Not mentioned yet:

Harem Scarem - s/t  (one of the reasons my wife and I are together!)
House of Lords - Sahara
Rik Emmett - Absolutely
Robert Plant - Manic Nirvanna (ok, I guess every year that has a release from Plant, I'll be able to list it )
Spirit of the West - Save This House (Canadians will get it)
Steelheart - s/t
Styx - Edge of the Century
Tesla - Five Man Acoustical Jam