#5albums79
Reproduction | The Human League

Like Ultravox(!) success would come later with a new line up but it’s still the early years I listen to the most. Almost Medieval. Blind Youth, Empire State Human and The Path Of Least Resistance are worth the admission price alone.

#5albums79
Secondhand Daylight | Magazine

The second Magazine album and my favourite one of theirs. 1979 was a stellar year for releases but I still can’t find anyone else who sounded quite like Magazine. Post punk at it’s finest.

#1983Top20 2

This Charming Man | The Smiths

A song that completely redefined my musical taste. I’ve always loved gloomy synth pop ™️ but I’ll always be a sucker for melodic jangly guitars because of this song and the genius that is Johnny Marr.
youtu.be/UpjaTtNVwEs

#Uncool50 25

Rent | Pet Shop Boys |
October 1987

I had to include PSB in this list. Being Boring is my go to choice but Rent isn’t far behind. A PSB classic, desolate and genuinely moving. Pop music at it’s best.
youtu.be/i01jf8X42Is

#BauhausTop10 7

Spirit (Single Version) | Singles | 1982

A great single taken from The Sky’s Gone Out. The melodies shine though on this one.
youtu.be/dXFDYvbyPcY

#DarkTober2022 25 Beyond

Beyond The Outskirts | Suede | 2018

youtu.be/lRpRKO8cJQw

#RadioheadTop15 10

There There | Hail To The Thief | 2003

This was an instant favourite upon release and it still has a deserved place in my top ten.
youtu.be/7AQSLozK7aA

#5albums79
Replicas | Tubeway Army
The Pleasure Principle | Gary Numan

Not one but two albums from Gary Numan. I love both really but TPP just shades it for me. Are “Friends” Electric? and Down In The Park are classic tracks but so are Cars, Films and the magnificent Metal.

#5albums79
Lodger | David Bowie

A much maligned album, especially when compared to Low and “Heroes” but I absolutely adore Lodger. The singles are brilliant as are other gems like Fantastic Voyage, Look Back In Anger and my own personal favourite African Night Flight.

#5albums79
Quiet Life | Japan

Everything about this album seems right. From the sound to the look, it’s the perfect mid-point of Japan. It also contains some of their greatest songs: Quiet Life, The Other Side Of Life, Fall In Love With Me, Halloween…

#5albums79
Real To Real Cacophony |
Simple Minds

The last time 1979 was covered this was my number one. As albums go it’s highly experimental but creativity was always a strong point of early Simple Minds. Side one is great but side two is phenomenal. They found their path here.

#Uncool50 24

Just Like Heaven | The Cure |
October 1987

Of my top five Cure tracks, only one is a single and this is it. Shockingly it only reached number 27 in the charts but then it was the third single taken from Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me.
youtu.be/n3nPiBai66M

#1983Top20 3

View From A Hill |
The Chameleons | 1983

This is only at number three as I didn’t discover it until a lot later on. It’s my favourite Chameleons track and my favourite album closer of all time.
youtu.be/zG3pLt6WTSU

#DarkTober2022 24 Slash

Slash ‘n’ Burn |
Manic Street Preachers | 1992

youtu.be/UQQCp3AU9Xk

#BauhausTop10 8

Stigmata Martyr |
In The Flat Field | 1980

Their debut album has four tracks in my top 10. Stigmata Martyr is up first.
youtu.be/jURZvdYfuiA

#RadioheadTop15 11

Daydreaming |
A Moon Shaped Pool | 2016

This one is stunning. It’s sort of Ambient Folk Horror but I love this side of Radiohead. Their soundtrack sensibilities are so strong and Daydreaming is a perfect example.
youtu.be/TTAU7lLDZYU