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The 80s List: Part 3

Posted by Amoebite, August 17, 2011 04:31pm | Post a Comment
Black FlagOne day at Amoeba Hollywood I proclaimed that Aztec Camera's 1983 release High Land, Hard Rain was one of the best records of the '80s. This single statement eventually led to over 200 Amoebites ranking their top 10 favorite albums from the ‘80s. 

From the beginning we realized that it was impossible for most of us to condense our favorites from all genres into a tiny top ten list. So, we limited our lists to Rock/Pop and its sub-genres like punk, metal, goth, and new wave. Even so, it was a difficult selection process because not only are there hundreds of amazing records to consider, there is also the added dynamic of time. 

The '80s were a long time ago and the music has had many years to gestate. We have a deep sense of nostalgia and sentiment with these albums as our fondest memories are associated with them. These are albums we LOVE.

-  Henry Polk

P.S. We'll be posting new additions to the '80s list project from Amoeba staff members on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. See all entries in our ‘80s list series. 

P.P.S. The '80s List Book is available for sale at Amoeba Hollywood.


Alyssa Siegel
The Replacements – Tim (1985)
X –  More Fun In The New World (1983)
R.E.M. – Murmur (1983)
Pixies – Doolittle (1989)
The Feelies – The Good Earth (1985)
Rockpile - Seconds Of Pleasure (1980)
Nick Haeffner – The Great Indoors (1987)
Chris Stamey – It’s Alright (1987)
The Gun Club – Fire Of Love (1981)
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Hard Promises (1981)

R.E.M. LENDS SONG TO MOVEON.ORG FOR POWERFUL MESSAGE VIDEO

Posted by Billyjam, September 8, 2009 12:34pm | Post a Comment

R.E.M. just gave their song "You Are the Everything" -- which first appeared on the group's 1988 album Green (Warner) --  to MoREM GreenveOn.Org to use as the soundtrack to the recently completed moving message video that tackles the stalemate that American health care reform currently finds itself in. The video, co-edited and compiled by Laura Dawn, is a slide show of average Americans who need health care or have family members and friends who need it but simply (like so many of us) cannot afford it under the current system. 

Laura tells me that the video, which was made out of desperation to alert people to the seriousness of the need for adequate health care immediately, has a very straightforward message: "We can't afford to wait for real health care reform, that our friends and neighbors and fellow citizens should never have to get sick or die due to an inability to get health care--if you believe health care is a right and not a priviledge only for the wealthy." She added that the video includes "Thousands and thousands of MoveOn members submitting the pictures in this video," but due to the overwhelming response only a small percentage made the final cut. For more info on this issue click here.