Mt. Rushmore: 1986

 

     1986 was a mixed bag for albums. In the middle of the eighties, my contenders list has two country records and a jazz album. My Mt. Rushmore has three repeat bands. However, none of those is the no-brainer number one. My contenders for 1986 were: Dwight Yoakam Guitars, Cadillacs..., Steve Earle Guitar Town, Miles Davis Tutu and The Bangles Different Light. 

     The obvious number one is So by Peter Gabriel. What is left to say about So. Great songs. Amazing, groundbreaking videos. "Red Rain" is one of my all-time favorite songs. This album owned 1986. It was interesting that Peter Gabriel, Genesis' Invisible Touch and GTR (featuring Steve Hackett) were all huge that year. 

     Surprise, surprise number two is Life's Rich Pageant by R.E.M. What an amazing, underrated album. Apart from the one hit "Fall on Me" this album has three of my favorite R.E.M. songs that never get any run; "These Days", "I Believe" and "Cuyahoga". The playing, vocals and lyrics all come together on those tracks. The beginning of "Cuyahoga" is great: "Let's put our heads together and start a new country up. Our father's, father's father tried. Erased the parts he didn't like. Let's try to fill it in". 

     Number three is the debut self-titled album from Crowded House. Crowded House emerged from the band Split Enz, who had a stellar hit single "I Got You". The strength of that track pushed Neil Finn's songwriting to the forefront. They get lumped in with the one-hit wonder bands due to the success of the single "Don't Dream It's Over". However, "Something So Strong" is another fantastic hit from this album. It started a four album run that most bands cannot touch. Except R.E.M. 

     Finally, The Smithreens sneak in again with Especially For You. This album has their iconic song "Blood and Roses", as well as, "Behind the Wall of Sleep" and "Strangers When We Meet". For my video this time, I will skip "Sledgehammer" since eveyone has seen it a million times and do "Blood and Roses" instead. Looking at 1985, it's pretty dire, but I can probably squeak out four albums. Most of them wouldn't make it any other year though. Peace.