Bands I ignored while they supposedly peaked in 89-92 (C/D?)

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At the time I was in college, more into Sonic Youth, Fugazi, The Pixies, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Jesus Lizard, Slint, My Bloody Valentine, The Breeders, Massive Attack, Talk Talk, Tom Waits and PJ Harvey, Bark Psychosis, Spiritualized, Seam... I suppose I subjectively associated the bands below as high school music that’s meant to be outgrown, even though their early albums were favorites at one point. I didn’t feel they spoke to me anymore. But I wonder if maybe my prejudices have kept me from enjoying some truly great albums. Anyone have convincing arguments for or against?

New Order * Technique (Qwest) 89
I picked up a used copy 12 years after the fact and was again intensely underwhelmed. Not quite a piece of shit, but nothing near the majesty of their singles, Power, Corruption and Lies and Low Life. Am I missing something?

The Cure * Disintegration (Elektra) 89
I taped it from a roommate a couple years later, but it never sunk in. I didn’t dislike it, but it just felt totally redundant.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds * The Good Son (Mute) 90
Many believed he found his true songwriter voice here. Sounded to me like he lost his balls in Brazil. I don’t mind Leonard Cohen, but that doesn’t mean Cave should sound like him. I finally got this about 13 years later, and it sounds decent in the context of his other singer-songwriter type stuff, but still doesn’t compare to You’re Funeral…My Trial.

Depeche Mode * Violator (Sire) 90
I can’t stand “Personal Jesus,” so I haven’t gotten around to a reappraisal yet. My mom liked them during that era, f’chrissakes.

Julian Cope * Peggy Suicide (Island) 91
I loved Teardrop Explodes and his first couple mad hatter solo albums, but I had long ago written him off as a delusional, smug acid casualty. Then suddenly he’s making “genius” albums. Really? I don’t hear it. I mean, I appreciate his self-reinvention as some sort of environmentalist scholar-shaman, but I just don’t hear any great songs. Maybe I’m distracted by that brittle production from the 80s that had not yet been completely shed.

U2 * Achtung Baby (Island) 91
I was so over U2 after Joshua Tree, and their new decadent, ironic persona was even more ridiculous than their messianic phase. They paid homage (ripped off) KMFDM in a big way, and not longer after that album, KMFDM performed a sneering cover of “Mysterious Ways” as the seven foot tall Sascha Konietzko tossed off his overcoat to reveal him wearing nothing but women’s panties, as he proceeded to fondle himself. I like a few songs okay, but this album’s stature grows every year seemingly, and I still think it’s a crock of shit. I get that the ideas are supposed to be groundbreaking, but I just don’t like it.

R.E.M. * Automatic For The People (WB) 92
I can understand the mainstream success – it’s easy to understand the vocals and completely cloying. But how could old fans possibly like anything after Document?

XTC * Nonsuch (Geffen) 92
There are many split opinions of course. I like Skylarking which is often considered their best, but I prefer Drums And Wires. A significant number of people claim this is their best, which shocks me. Oranges and Lemons turned me off for good, and I didn’t bother listening to this until last month. I didn’t like it. The fussy arrangements might have some sort of intricacy and workmanship, but I don’t hear any full blooded great songs anymore.

― Fastnbulbous (Fastnbulbous), Thursday, 29 September 2005 05:09 (twenty years ago)

before achtung baby i was a U2 fan, but this one ushered in an era where they were the top of my list. i don't listen to it as much as zooropa or pop, though. i think the "irony" of U2 around this time only existed in their image. the music from these three albums is their best and most sincere and least "messianic bullshit". unfortunately i've no doubt a lot of huge U2 fans regard this time as something to forget, and only in 2000 or so did they regain their "true voice". bollocks to that.

― gear (gear), Thursday, 29 September 2005 05:14 (twenty years ago)

New Order - Technique

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Thursday, 29 September 2005 05:32 (twenty years ago)

I checked ILM data and to my surprise there is not one thread on the Cure's Disintegration album. I should probably tackle this at another time but I'll try to not get into it too much. If I remember correctly the kids on South Park name this the Greatest album of All Time and I have finally come back around to that. Ever since 1990 or so I have been trying to get away from all the doom and gloom bands that I loved and treasured before. I grew up and moved pass that phase in my life and remember quite vividly, while watching the Cure during the Bloodflowers tour, that while you could cut the tension with a knife that I was no longer that person for good reason. Regardless of all that it was such an amazing concert that I knew there was no denying the relevance of this band to rock music itself.

For some reason everything came together for the Cure on this album as they went through the "Let's Go To Bed," "Why Can't I Be You" and the very weird Top phase. The Cure was good but who knew that they would ever release a song as brilliant as "Lullaby" or "Lovesong" becoming their biggest hit. I will always laugh when people call them a singles band because to listen to the butchered version of "Pictures Of You" or even "Fascination Street" (although I much prefer the guitar wank known as the 12" version) really robs those songs of their soul. This is one of those perfect breaks up, nighttime, winter, and/or it's raining outside albums. The album runs along perfectly seemly putting you in a trace that you can't help but absorb ("This music has been mixed to be played loud so turn it up"). It has been called a masterpiece and has spawned one of the most intense fan bases in rock. Sure it's not for everyone or even most people but is one very powerful album.

Haven't listened to it for about five years now, but been buying those remastered albums this year. Consequently I'm remembering why they are my favorite band. Those reissues were so badly needed that the new versions are bringing out things that I didn't know existed outside a live setting. Looking very forward to hearing The Top because it actually could be this long lost classic and The Head On the Door is my second favorite of theirs. Not going to play any of these until I own the remastered versions.

10.0 (and I don't give those out very often)
-Deon

― BeeOK (boo radley), Thursday, 29 September 2005 08:38 (twenty years ago)

can i be opinionated here..???

New Order- Technique--- Suprisingly bland unimaginative pop.

Unlike the previous style adopted by Ian Curtis as Joy Division.

The Cure- Also losing their Gothic edge

U2--What happened to Gloria and Under a Blood red Sky..???

Nick Cave--dont know havny heard it,,but sounds about right

Depech Mode-- prohably losing interest by this time.

As for the rest cant remember them but i would say that all these bands (except maybe U2) were waning in the shadows of the fresh energy of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam.... who delivered ...

― Daniel Giglio, Saturday, 1 October 2005 02:24 (twenty years ago)

I don't think you missed much, except I guess I don't really know XTC too well.

― Hurting (Hurting), Saturday, 1 October 2005 02:32 (twenty years ago)

In fact, I'd say that excluding stuff I'm obviously very unlikely to enjoy, such as emo or ska, those are some of my least favorite bands.

― Hurting (Hurting), Saturday, 1 October 2005 02:33 (twenty years ago)

Aside from Disintegration (which I still think is something of a masterpiece), I'm surprised by just how OTM the above assessments are.
And I'm always happy to come across even one individual who is as underwhelmed by Technique as I am. As a big New Order fan, I've tried very hard to like it but it just doesn't seem to matter how many times I play that album, it STILL goes in one ear and out the other. As soon as it's over I can't remember how the songs go.

― Bimble The Nimble, Jumped Over A Thimble! (Bimble...), Saturday, 1 October 2005 03:46 (twenty years ago)

New Order- Technique--- Suprisingly bland unimaginative pop.

I have to hurt you now.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 1 October 2005 04:06 (twenty years ago)

XTC peaked before Nonesuch. I'd say they peaked at Skylarking (though I liked some part of the otherwise lamentably overproduced Oranged & Lemons). Everything after Oranges... is pretty weak, in my opinion.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 1 October 2005 04:07 (twenty years ago)

And as far as Nick peaking with The Good Son, it's my favorite album of his, but I wouldn't say the following albums were a downward slide until maybe Murder Ballads, which I loved, but it all started to slump downwards after that. More about my unsolicited musings on Nick can be found here, should you or anyone else give a rolling rat fuck.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 1 October 2005 04:11 (twenty years ago)

I don't think anyone thinks R.E.M. peaked in 1992 -- AftP is their first boring record and in many ways their weakest until Bill Berry leaves. "Ignoreland" possibly worst R.E.M. song ever.

That said, "anything after Document" includes Green and Out of Time, both very worthy throughout.

I'm right with you on Julian Cope -- many people think Peggy Suicide is genius but I never, ever listen to it. But then, I really like St. Julian, probably the height of the '80s production you object to on PS...

― Guayaquil (eephus), Saturday, 1 October 2005 04:29 (twenty years ago)

tears for fears in 89.eg:"sowing the seeds of love"
catchy primal scream pop (mad world) until their sgt pepper inspired masterpiece.

― retroman, Saturday, 1 October 2005 05:43 (twenty years ago)

Renegade Soundwave were certainly ignored during this time, and undeservedly.. Meat Beat Manifesto as well.

― donut hallivallerieburtonelli omg lol (donut), Saturday, 1 October 2005 07:16 (twenty years ago)

I've been listening to all the albums in my MP3 player, both on shuffle and in order. With the exception of Nick Cave, they all sound pretty damn dated, and I found myself cringing quite a bit. I'm still surprised when some people make claims to best album ever for some of these -- I haven't read any really convincing argument. I liked one or two songs on the Depeche Mode and New Order albums, but feel embarrassed for them mostly. Half of Disintegration holds up well enough, though it still feels like watered down Pornography to my ears.

I think of all of them, the Nick Cave album has the most merit, with some really strong songwriting. The songs don't sound so shockingly wimpy in hindsight, given his later stuff. Just because I ignored that album doesn't mean I thought Cave was in decline in the 90s -- I love Let Love In, Henry's Dream and Murder Ballads.

― Fastnbulbous (Fastnbulbous), Sunday, 2 October 2005 02:17 (twenty years ago)

I don't think anyone thinks R.E.M. peaked in 1992
Well Acclaimed music puts AFTP at #42 in the all time top 2000(!), 15 above Murmur.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 2 October 2005 08:58 (twenty years ago)

My mom liked them during that era, f’chrissakes.

Sounds like a cool mom.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 2 October 2005 08:59 (twenty years ago)

AFTP is where REM starting sounding like a bad Raped Ape knock off.

― Jkajs, Sunday, 2 October 2005 09:28 (twenty years ago)

"New Order- Technique--- Suprisingly bland unimaginative pop. Unlike the previous style adopted by Ian Curtis as Joy Division."

You'll have to be more specific. Unless you want Ned, Spencer, Andrew, Dan, and I to beat your ass.

"U2--What happened to Gloria and Under a Blood red Sky..???"

They realized they weren't very sexy songs.

"As for the rest cant remember them but i would say that all these bands (except maybe U2) were waning in the shadows of the fresh energy of Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam.... who delivered ... "

Delivered....shit albums?

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Sunday, 2 October 2005 23:31 (twenty years ago)

I suppose a few people would argue that "Disintegration" was a peak for the Cure, but it would be mostly people who discovered them through that album and they'd be wrong. I don't think I've ever heard anyone discribe any of those other albums as a peak album.

I have a pretty hard time listening to any REM from Document onward. Depeche Mode and New Order didn't age particularly well. I really don't have any interest in hearing anything by either today but if I did it certainly wouldn't be one of those albums. Most of XTC post Skylarking had very little in terms of legs, and even Skylarking pails in comparison to their early albums.

I can see why folks like the Peggy Suicide album. I suppose I like it enough but its not really all that consistently strong. I much prefer his followup, Jehovahkill, which I do think is one of his best. Take that with a grain of salt though, because I'm one of the few Cope fans who still give a shit enough about him to pay $30 a few years ago for his Brain Donor album and am still mulling over whether to buy his latest.

In theory, I still quite like the Nick Cave, and the Cure but I really haven't put that theory to test in a long time and I really don't feel that motivated to do so now. Maybe these haven't aged all that well, but not much does. I have a feeling that if I looked over a mixed tape I made 15 years ago, I probably wouldn't even own most of the source cds anymore.

― billy g, Monday, 3 October 2005 01:57 (twenty years ago)

the first four albums on that list are fantastic

― splates (splates), Monday, 3 October 2005 01:58 (twenty years ago)

I don't think anyone thinks R.E.M. peaked in 1992

Well Acclaimed music puts AFTP at #42 in the all time top 2000(!), 15 above Murmur.

When I said "anyone" I wasn't including rock critics!

― Guayaquil (eephus), Monday, 3 October 2005 02:13 (twenty years ago)

Your opinion is noted. And fuck you very much.

Depeche Mode and New Order didn't age particularly well.

And fuck you even MORE.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 October 2005 02:46 (twenty years ago)

However, in case you still have trouble accepting the idea that *JUST MAYBE* some people think of these things as peak albums, me on Violator and me on Technique.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 3 October 2005 02:49 (twenty years ago)

When I said "anyone" I wasn't including rock critics!

Fair enough, but a Channel 4 viewers poll put it at #11 in an all time top 100 albums when it was done last April, and no doubt it'll poll highly in other polls.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Monday, 3 October 2005 07:13 (twenty years ago)

But it's probably the only REM album Channel 4 viewers have heard.

I think by 'nobody' he meant 'no lifetime REM fans'. I think there's a 'Murmur' camp, and a 'Lifes Rich pageant' camp. And some krayyzee ppl go for 'Fables'.

― vinegar (Koens), Monday, 3 October 2005 08:48 (twenty years ago)

Disintegration is a high point, but certainly not a peak. The Cure peaked in 1982. 9/10

The Good Son is a blip in the slump between Your Funeral My Trial and The Boatman's Call. It gets extra points for The Ship Song making my wife cry. 8/10

I didn't take to Achtung Baby at the time (I'd given up on them sometime around '85) but on revisiting it it's a good album, though not something I'd think to listen to. 6/10

I liked Peggy Suicide at the time, but it's not something I can see myself going back to. 6/10

Automatic For The People does well in polls because of the Everybody Hurts video. Anyone who's still listening by the 2nd half is doing well. 4/10

― Onimo (GerryNemo), Monday, 3 October 2005 12:36 (twenty years ago)

Quite frankly, the level of disdain and belligerence in the initial post makes me think that attempting to explain to you exactly why I think Disintegration, Technique, Violator and Achtung, Baby are great albums is an exercise in futility.

― The Ghost of Black Elegance (Dan Perry), Monday, 3 October 2005 12:44 (twenty years ago)

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