Yep, 1989 was THIRTY years ago. Crikey!
Some of my favourite and most life-changing albums came about in that year. It was still the 80s, just! There were big budgets, excesses, no computers in your hand, people spoke to each other in person - it seems like such a foreign time.
So, strap yourself in, here’s a quick look at just a handful of albums we got in 1989. Let us know which albums were floating your boat in 1989 over on Facebook page!
Queen – The Miracle
It’d been three years since A Kind Of Magic, their hugely successful soundtrack to The Highlander movie, but it felt much longer. This was Queen’s 13th studio album which was made as the band recovered from Brian May’s marital breakup, and Freddie Mercury’s AIDS diagnosis a couple of years earlier, which was known to the band, but no one on the outside. It went to number #1 in five countries, including the US. We didn’t know at the time, but this would become the last album to feature the band on the cover, and the penultimate album with Freddie.
Motley Crue – Dr Feelgood
Easily the bands BEST studio album, and one that achieved that feat when the band endeavoured to be clean and sober (that’s what they tell us anyway). Monster hits and the last album to feature Vince Neil until he re-joined the band in 1997. Dr Feelgood was the Motley Crue album to live up to the hype for the band, and sadly, never replicated or beaten. Still, it’s better to have this, than not. Thanks to Bob Rock for the slick production too!
Faith No More – The Real Thing
At the 11th hour, original FNM singer Chuck Mosley was replaced by Mike Patton for this, their third studio album. I’m not sure how it’d sound with Chuck instead of Mike. It’s hard to go past Mile for anything really. This was my introduction to FNM, pretty sure I’m not alone there, especially with the massive success of "Epic". It’s still such a solid album. "Surprise! You’re Dead!" was out of leftfield, and no one but Patton could have given it life like he did. It also included their very awesome cover of Black Sabbath’s "War Pigs", I mean, how could you go wrong?
Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique
Despite not achieving the chart success of their first album, Beastie Boys second offering, in my opinion, is a better album. Just at the time is was poorly marketed, which of course will hurt sales. Mind you, those who pushed on with it on the strength on their previous album were rewarded with a hip-hop defining album. Now, years later, people will shout from the rooftops about how good it is. Weird how that happens with albums. If you’ve never taken the time to listen to it, or you’re new to Beastie Boys full stop, get this one in your ears and get ready for some ripping yarns.
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Mother’s Milk
I had no idea who RHCP were until a mate in high school brought Mother’s Milk to school on cassette in 1989. Sure I’d seen them in the movie Tough Guys a couple of years earlier, but didn’t make the connection as their appearance was short. I remember us fawning over the song "Magic Johnson". NBA was exploding in Australia back then, and we just thought it was cool that a band has written a song about Magic. We didn’t know at the time that this would lead to a million other songs by them about Los Angeles in some way. Plus it has the killer covers of "Higher Ground", and "Fire" by Hendrix, and this brilliant tune.
Skid Row – Skid Row
This debut album from what would become one of the worlds biggest hard rock and metal bands was pretty formulaic of the times, however, it cemented the band as a major player. Especially supporting Bon Jovi and Aerosmith early on, bulk fans got a great eyeful and earful of the band, controversies followed, and young fans flocked. Three singles came from this album that would ignite the fires of young ladies across the globe, "18 and Life", "I Remember You", and "Youth Gone Wild". Sebastian Bach’s voice easily one of the best there was in rock music at the time and that resonates to this day. This should be in everyone’s collection. Plus this was a killer song, all attitude and pissed off 80s rock shtick
Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever
The debut album from the leader of The Heartbreakers was a beautifully crafted album, with the help of ELO front man Jeff Lynne, and packed with guests like his Travelling Wilburys buddies and Heartbreakers pals. If you’ve always been a casual Tom Petty fan, chances are it’s because of the singles on this album, "Runnin Down a Dream", "Free Fallin", "I Won’t Back Down", and "A Face In The Crowd". Tom was a universally acclaimed songwriter, noted by peers and an inspiration, well before this solo album came along, but Full Moon Fever is definitely his commercial peak as a solo artist.
As always we’d love to hear your favourite albums from 1989, what changed your life, what altered the way you thought about music or a musician? Let us know in the comments on Facebook!
