Ranking my Favourite Albums from 1984

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

NOTE TO VIEWERS I wish to apologise for the audio quality of this recording - especially when taking into account the length of this video. I did my utmost after recording had concluded to ‘tidy things up’, but I’ve clearly had an off day with the mic and I need to take the learning away from what happened. I did consider scrapping this recording and doing the whole thing again from scratch, but I talk in the moment - totally unscripted - and I didn’t want to lose what I had to say about these wonderful albums. Had I done it all again, I don’t think the essence would have been the same (although it would have sounded better, as I need to look into - then sort out - what happened). I acknowledge this may be a vid best watched without the volume, but to all of you who persevere with what I have to say on 1984, sincerest thanks in advance for your time and support 🙏 I shall endeavour to get things back on course sound-wise for 1985. Until then… Best wishes, Christian

[@akis723]

to be honest I was expecting to have less common albums (I know everything is predicated on what there is available on vinyl) and so I was pleasantly surprised. - After This Mortal Coil and Cocteau I was lowkey expecting Dead Can Dance to be mentioned so that the circle could be completed. - River of Money is in my top-10 Go-Betweens songs. I like the single version of Man O' Sand to Girl O' Sea better, more power and rawness. - The Strange Idols... with Splendour is a crazy good bunch of music - - same with Smiths with self titled and Hatful (apparently Hatful is a compilation) - TV Personalities and both Julian are great albums - The Fall were still mighty in 1984. Mark did not manage to assemble better musicians up until Eleni joined the band (and his life). just to add another great pop album of the year Pacific Street by The Pale Fountains. à bientôt Theo

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@akis723 Hey, Theo 😊 Thank you so much for watching and for taking the time to leave such a kind comment 🙏 I am very pleased to hear you were pleasantly surprised by my picks in this video, and whilst I’m a fan of Dead Can Dance - especially the earlier albums, which I’m more familiar with - I don’t have anything by them on vinyl. I thoroughly enjoyed reading what you had to say about The Go-Betweens, and I couldn’t agree more about your point concerning both Felt and The Smiths, and that TVP and Copey released great albums in ‘84 👍🏻 You make a great point as regards that Fall lineup - a point I would have to concur with, given how powerful they sounded. I am familiar with ‘Pacific Street’ and the later work of the hugely talents Michael Head (Shack etc.), but alas I don’t own it on vinyl. Best wishes, Christian

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

Great batch as always! I always favored Strange Idols Pattern just a smidge more, though your pick is bubbling under. Shock of Daylight is one that's shot up my list in the past decade. Moodists is also a new-ish discovery from a few years back when I did a deep dive in Aussie garage punk/noir. Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade Metallica - Ride The Lightning Echo & the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime Rush - Grace Under Pressure Iron Maiden - Powerslave King Sunny Adé and His African Beats - Aura The Replacements - Let It Be The Smiths - Hatful Of Hollow R.E.M. - Reckoning Lloyd Cole & The Commotions - Rattlesnakes The Sound - Shock Of Daylight EP U2 - The Unforgettable Fire XTC - The Big Express Dio - The Last In Line The Gun Club - The Las Vegas Story Meat Puppets - Meat Puppets II The Jazz Butcher - A Scandal In Bohemia Julian Cope - Fried The Blue Nile - A Walk Across The Rooftops The Raincoats - Moving The Fall - The Wonderful And Frightening World Of The Fall Naked Raygun - Throb Throb Tom Verlaine - Cover Siouxsie & the Banshees - Hyaena And Also The Trees - And Also The Trees Cocteau Twins - Treasure The Moodists - Thirsty’s Calling The Dream Syndicate - Medicine Show David Sylvian - Brilliant Trees Big Country - Steeltown Rain Parade - Explosions In The Glass Palace EP Mercyful Fate - Don’t Break The Oath Opposition - Promises The Pogues - Red Roses For Me Felt - The Strange Idols Pattern and Other Short Stories Black Flag - My War Sade - Diamond Life Pretenders - Learning To Crawl Hoodoo Gurus - Stoneage Romeos

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Fastnbulbous1969 Thank you for being here, Fast - and for the comment! 🙏 ‘The Strange Idols…’ is such a strong album, but ‘Splendour’ just lives in my heart ❤️ It was my first Felt album and it blew me away! ‘Shock of Daylight’ is wonderful and would have been in contention if I owned it on the ole vinyl. Moodists are a band I ‘think’ I’ve had mentioned to me by a cousin of mine, who lives in Australia. The list you have put forward for 1984 is incredible and I’m pleased to say I own a fair few of them on vinyl (and that includes one or two that didn’t make it into my final list of 25). Sending best wishes mate, Christian

[@Discoderek69]

Love the Felt album Christian and now watching 1985 in 2 or 3 parts many thanks for introducing me to new music👍

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Discoderek69 Hi, George! Thank you so much for watching and commenting 🙏 I’m so happy to hear you love the Felt album too (it was most definitely my winner for ‘84) and I really appreciate you checking out my 1985 vid! I’ll keep my fingers crossed there’s more new music there I can introduce you to 🤞🏻🤞🏻 Best wishes, Christian

[@drdavid1963]

A stellar year and delighted to see you have Felt's Splendor of Fear and Julian Cope's Fried - two forgotten classics I would like to mention some other great albums from 1984 MICRODISNEY's Everybody is Fantastic ICICLE WORKS' self-titled VIOLENT FEMMES' Hallowed Ground THE WATERBOYS A Pagan Place PSYCHEDELIC FURS Mirror Moves Canadian singer JANE SIBERRY's No Borders Here PREFAB SPROUT Swoon BLUE NILE A Walk Across The Rooftops and one of my favourite albums of all time THE SMITHS A Hatful of Hollow

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@drdavid1963 1984 was indeed a stellar year - and thank you for watching! 🙏 I am delighted to learn you are a fellow Felt and Julian Cope fan, and I appreciate you sharing some more great albums! I have heard ‘Everybody is Fantastic’ and thought it was fantastic, but I don’t own it on vinyl (I do have a few Fatima Mansions albums though, who are brill); I own ‘Hallowed Ground’, ‘A Pagan Place’ and ‘Swoon’, but they missed out; a couple of viewers have recommended the Jane Siberry album, so I need to investigate; I once owned ‘A Walk Across the Rooftops’ on vinyl and sold it (big regret); and I do own and love ‘Hatful of Hollow’, but I only feature studio albums in these ranking vids - not compilations. Best wishes, Christian

[@spoteach]

I like your favourite albums videos. I like the passion you show talking about the records. You also pick a lot of albums that would be on my list. That makes it more interesting for me ofcourse to go check some of the albums or artists from your list that I'm not familiar with. I like long videos, no problem with that. But mostly you show both sides of the outer sleeve: fine. Sometimes you also show both sides of the inners sleeve. And I do understand you don't want to show the labels on the records as well to make the video not too long. But by showing both sides of the inner sleeve as well watching a long video will certainly become more interesting 'visually' for your viewers. Just a little suggestion.

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@spoteach Hi Gunter! 👋 Many thanks indeed for watching, and for your very kind comments - much appreciated 🙏 I was so happy reading what you had to say, and I think your suggestion is excellent. It’s one I’ll be implementing moving forward, whenever the inner sleeve is particularly interesting visually (i.e. not just a plain sleeve). I really appreciate the vote of confidence with my work and presentation style, and thanks again for taking the time to correspond 😊 Best wishes, Christian

[@Discoderek69]

Another great video Christian and what a year. As before the list was full of many in my collection but you've given me another number 1 that I need to check out👍

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Discoderek69 Thank you so much, George for being here and for commenting - hugely appreciated 🙏 I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the video, and I am genuinely excited that you are in a position to experience ‘The Splendour of Fear’ for the first time. Please do let me know how you get on with it 😊 Best wishes, Christian

[@Discoderek69]

Very much in love with that Felt album. Everything you said is spot on. I'm currently reading a great book titled 'Street level superstar' about Felt front man Lawrence and its a great read. Many thanks👍PS apologies for late reply but once again thank you for showcasing Felt

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Discoderek69 I’m so happy you also have a lot of love and affection for ‘The Splendour of Fear’! It inhabits a huge space in my heart and I have returned to it so many times over the past two decades, since originally discovering it. Yes, ‘Street-Level Superstar’ is a fantastic read and I am delighted you have picked up a copy 😊 Will Hodgkinson has done a fantastic job of capturing the very essence of Lawrence. It’s great to have you here, George and thank you so much for your continued support of my channel 🙏 Best wishes, Christian

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Discoderek69 PS - If you loved that Felt album, you may be interested in watching my album ranking vid I did on the band, if you haven’t watched it already. Best wishes, Christian

[@ashrobinson4604]

Thanks again Christian for the discussion on these great albums from 84. I want to compliment you on the attention you give to the artwork. You obviously have a great appreciation on the visual arts. I enjoy this aspect of your videos. One notable absence from your list that puzzles me is Prefab Sprout’s Swoon, but perhaps your 1985 list will shed some light on your feelings for this band! 😉

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@ashrobinson4604 You’re most welcome, Ash and I really value your very kind comments as regards my appreciation of artwork 🙏 I have always been drawn to creative endeavours, and art is a medium I have all the time in the world for. As a professional writer, I have always been fascinated by stories - and I love art, in particular, that tells a story. I am very pleased to hear that my discussing album artwork is an area of my content creation you especially enjoy, so I shall continue to comment on such things during my videos 😊👍🏻 That’s fair the absence of ‘Swoon’ puzzled you. I do own it, so it was in the running, but when I am limiting myself to 25 picks, the finest of margins come into play. I could do ‘ties’, with albums being joint third and so forth, but then it all gets a bit messy and I’ll end up showing 40 albums instead of 25! 😆 Giving myself 25 to pick makes the process a fun challenge for me and a talking point for viewers, so I enjoy that aspect a great deal - even though, sadly, some very fine albums end up missing out on these ranking vids. That’s part of the whole thing, however, and I respect that. You seem quietly confident that maybe this band will get a look-in 1985… Well you will just have to wait and see! Best wishes, Christian

[@baggyhi-fi8628]

Great to see the Television Personalities in your list. I love them. Reckoning was a very worthy follow up to Murmur.

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@baggyhi-fi8628 Always great to hear from you, John and thank you so much for watching and commenting 😊🙏 I love the Television Personalities so much, but my vinyl collection needs some work as far as they are concerned. I had a lot of their albums on CD (long gone now), but I only have ‘And Don’t the Kids…’ and ‘The Painted Word’ on vinyl. A work in progress! As for ‘Reckoning’, there’s been times when I have preferred it to ‘Murmur’. Without a doubt, however, is that both LPs are exceptional and essential. Best wishes, Christian

[@andygladwin2049]

My granny loves the Bunnymen isn’t a phrase you hear everyday! I know exactly what you mean though, my 77yr old mum can also identify the Bunnymen when she hears them. Hearing Porcupine drift down the stairs from my teenage bedroom has lodged in her subconscious! I won’t go as far as to say she’s loves them though! Andy

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@andygladwin2049 Yeah, my Granny was so cool - God Rest Her Soul ❤️ She loved the ‘Ocean Rain’ album and was even partial to a bit of Muse! Her all-time faves though were artists such as Mat Monro, Andy Williams, Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Enya, Tom Jones and Marty Robbins. She loved lots of other stuff too, but when I think of Granny (which is every day), I think of those artists in particular. I loved that story about your Mum knowing the Bunnymen through her absorption of them during your teenage years 😊👍🏻 My teenage listening habits had the same effect on my Mum too, who is a bit younger than yours (she’s just turned 73). Thanks for watching this vid and for leaving such a great comment 🙏 It made me smile! Best wishes, Christian

[@Discoderek69]

Another great video Christian and what a year. As before the lust was full of many in my collection but you've given me another number 1 that I need to check out👍

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Discoderek69 Thank you so much, George for being here and for commenting - hugely appreciated 🙏 I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the video, and I am genuinely excited that you are in a position to experience ‘The Splendour of Fear’ for the first time. Please do let me know how you get on with it 😊 Best wishes, Christian

[@michelewiese48]

Loved hearing you talk about ‘Some Great Reward’ - my top album of ‘84 and probably in my top 7 of their (mostly) exquisite catalog. A band so close to my heart I find it practically impossible to definitively rank their albums. “Lie to Me” is especially delicious. 🍬 🍎 Thank you for sharing your introspective reflections on the albums that speak to you the most, often sprinkling in some interesting trivia. I’m always learning from you! 😊

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@michelewiese48 Thank you so much for watching and commenting, Michele and I do hope the week has treated you well 😊🙏 Yes, ‘Some Great Reward’ is a lovely album and I could have spent a bit longer talking about it on commentary, truth be told. I feel I made the key points I wished to make on the album, in the moment, but I couldn’t agree more about ‘Lie to Me’… It’s a fabulously delicious track! 🍬 🍎 Thank you also for commenting upon my interesting trivia in such a kind manner which, as I’m sure you know, I hugely appreciate 😊🙏 Looking forward to catching up again soon, Christian

[@michelewiese48]

@@TheVinylSanctuaryGood afternoon, Christian. I’ve had a good week, thank you. I hope you have too. The packing is coming right along! I also wanted to mention that in preparation for this week’s AISB episode I ran across Tindersticks’ “You’ll Have To Scream Louder” - this was the first song I ever heard by them, and to find out it is a cover of a song from ‘The Painted Word’ is so cool! 😮 I’ll have to listen to that album when things settle down a bit.

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@michelewiese48 Hiya, Michele 👋 I’m very pleased to hear you have had a good week and that the packing is coming along nicely! Will you be remaining within your current State, or moving a little further afield? Just planning ahead in case a new time zone comes into play as regards our correspondence! I can’t believe we have never discussed, until now, what the first song was by Tindersticks that you heard - and to now reveal it’s their cover of a TVP track from one of my fave albums by the band (and from 1984) is just too much! 😮 What an awesome introduction you had! I honestly can’t believe this…. And then I’ve gone on to discuss said album all this time after you had discovered Tindersticks! It also hasn’t been lost on me that ‘The Painted Word’ won’t be your first TVP album, as I had introduced you to the world of Dan Treacy through ‘And Don’t the Kids Just Love It’. I would love for you to listen to ‘The Painted Word’, but it’s very much a ‘mood piece’, as conveyed in my vid. It’s a staggering achievement, but not an easy listen. I’m already intrigued as to what you will make of it! Best wishes, Christian

[@michelewiese48]

@@TheVinylSanctuaryI’ll still be in the same state so no interruptions to the CST time zone. 🕰️ 😊 ‘And Don’t the Kids Just Love It’ - I do remember listening to that. Must’ve been a while ago now! I think “A Family Affair” was one of your favorites but I don’t remember mine. ‘The Painted Word’ will have its turn over the next few days. I’ll be unpacking this very English band as I unpack my things.

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@michelewiese48 Thank you for confirming the time zone remaining as is, Michele and sending best wishes as you make final preparations for the move 😊🙏 Yes, ‘A Family Affair’ is one of my faves on an album where I literally love every track (to varying degrees), but my absolute fave is ‘Diary of a Young Man’, which is a song so emotionally affecting I can’t really describe it. I’m trying to remember a couple of songs you highlighted to me upon hearing the album for the first time - maybe ‘This Angry Silence’ and ‘The Glittering Prizes’? I think you may have vibed with ‘World of Pauline Lewis’ too 🤔 I would love to know how you get on with ‘The Painted Word’ - an album which, I feel, will reveal itself in full splendour over the course of a few listens ❤️🎶

[@jessem470]

Back again to correct a great wrong on my part I missed an amazing album ; its a soundtrack to one of my favorite movies Cal : Mark Knopfler Soundtrack to relatively small Irish movie , this soundtrack is like comfort food for me My wife’s favorite movie and album so holds a special place in our house

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@jessem470 Wow, that’s a blast from the past, Jesse! I haven’t watched ‘Cal’ in years and I was very happy to see you give the film’s soundtrack a mention in honour of your wife 😊❤️🎶👏 Best wishes, Christian

[@jessem470]

Been traveling so just catching this and exhausted Your picks are perfect as usual Amazing year! but did i miss you holding up Orange Juice ; Orange Juice My favorite album of 84 is Rattlesnakes , for personal reasons The best album is probably REM I love your number 1 and its the 2nd great album taking its cover from a Warhol movie More to say so back late Off to sleep now

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@jessem470 Hey, Jesse 👋 Thank you so much as always for watching, and for leaving such a kind comment - much appreciated 🙏 I am so happy you enjoyed my picks 😊 ‘The Orange Juice’, although a fine album, didn’t make the final 25 when it came to me whittling down my choices. Competition was fierce and I do feel the 25 albums I selected over it are ones I return to more than ‘The Orange Juice’. I’m delighted to learn that ‘Rattlesnakes’ is your fave for ‘84, and I do hope you could see where I was coming from in my commentary as regards how some people may have perceived Lloyd Cole. As for ‘Reckoning’, it’s magnificent. It’s probably the R.E.M. album I have listened to the most, although I love ‘Murmur’ and ‘Fables’ massively too. I’m sure my #1 did not surprise you, and yep that cover art - taken from Warhol’s ‘Chelsea Girls’ - is quite something. I hope you have a good rest following your travels and I look forward to hearing more from you in due course. Best wishes, Christian

[@jessem470]

Hi Christian You’re #1 was a bit of a surprise through my own fault , for some reason I thought Splendor of Fear was an E.P ( Do E.Ps qualify ? ) Anyway First off it this 1984 was a huge music year and you selection is super interesting because of the split between UK and US music or what i call the MTV effect If you look Stateside you have mega products being pushed through this new marketing tool Springsteen ; Born in USA , Madonna , Like a Virgin ; Tina Turner etc etc And with that mass marketing I think made underground / alt even stronger and also emphasized the split culturally between US and UK Its actually a split I miss ; Global Charts are something I find sad and stripping kids individuality away ( Oh yeah ; 1984 Van Halen came out that year too ) I have 2 copies ofRattlesnakes with 2 different covers US and UK Totally agree with Frankie being in their incredibly and unjustly ignored album and amazing production as you said And the great Ann Dudley needs a shout out But ….. For production in 1984 and an album I’m sure you have Diamond Life : Sade Julian Cope is just a force of nature in my book , just like Syd , scott walker and a few others But for me I have to say Kevin Ayers for inspiring that haircut KA actually had an 84 release , still in great voice but forgettable album Almost almost finally LC gifted the world the song Hallelujah on his 1984 album Various Positions It is not my favorite track on that album but then it just got new life for John Cale and Jeff Buckley and LC himself Almost Finally A few in my Vinyl collection : Specials AKA : In the Studio Los Lobos : How will the wolf Survive Lyres : On Fyre ( I hope you have this and surprised not 25 if you do ) Laurie Anderson : Mr Heartbreak The Cure : The Top ( i always loved The Caterpillar ; i guess it’s an Alice in Wonderland thing ) Anyway great , great video and trip back to 84 Ok Finally I spent 84 going to gigs by Irish Band the Golden Horde Live they were incredible Great pop in vain of Ramones , cCramps etc , sometime Spector , sometimes psycho-billy , sometimes 4 piece and sometimes 15 people on stage They released EP in 84 called Chocolate Biscuit Conspiracy Simon Carmody was a genius

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@jessem470 Hi, Jesse! Always a pleasure to converse with you and thank you for being here 🙏 ‘Splendour’ is definitely categorised as an album, so it’s eligible (I don’t include compilations or EPs). I was very interested by what you had to say as regards the UK/US split in 1984, so thank you for sharing that. What does the US cover of ‘Rattlesnakes’ look like? Most intriguing! I’m glad we agree on the production of Frankie (Trevor Horn is a genius), but no I don’t own ‘Diamond Life’. I know it of course, and how gorgeous it sounds, but it’s not in the collection. Ah yes, great call on Kevin Ayers inspiring Copey’s barnet! ✂️ Thank you for sharing your own picks. Some truly excellent music there, as expected 👍🏻 I don’t have ‘On Fyre’ but I do have ‘The Top’ 🐛 Ah yes! You said you would mention The Golden Horde in 1984 and I’m made up that you did! 👏 Best wishes, Christian

[@jessem470]

@@TheVinylSanctuary check out On Fyre I thinks it a sound that in your wheel house Lyres are unusual being from Boston I just don’t hear Boston in their sound

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@jessem470 I most certainly will 👍🏻 I always appreciate and welcome your suggestions, Jesse 🙏

[@Layla-kd4ui]

Thank ye....whilst I saw the Bluebells by accident in 1984 and, as I've mentioned, New Model Army provided many dancefloor classics in 1984 and 1985, it is quite deep into you video before I actually owned any of those records. I'd forgotten all abut the Jazz Butcher entirely. "It'll End In Tears" is where I wake-up, where you speak to me personally, I still play it regularly...and by osmosis it got us in to Big Star, Tim Buckley, and...I think 'Another Day", the Roy Harper cover, is possibly my favorite track of the album these days...I have owned it for forty long years of course. Although 'Kangeroo' is probably my favorite Big Star song (I have 'Kangeroo' and 'Song to the Siren' in their other 4AD formats (they come as I have heard it discribed in "small vinyls") possibly the David Lynch inspired sleeve to 'Song to the Siren' is my favourite artwork, these things are very subjective and hard to unwrap). Yeah, "Rattlesnakes" is an album I still have and still play, lyrically I think it is pretty perfect, the humor was always appealling, and whilst I didn't get all the references at the time, now, as I do have "a Masters in cultural studies or something" I chuckle at each oblique reference, writing footnotes. I concured about the tracks therein. 'The Smiths" by The Smiths...is so so redolent of the summer of 1984 for me, 'Still Ill" is a close secend by for ever 'Reel Around the Fountain' is the best song for me, which I guess, has parallels with Lloyd Cole's lyrics, referencing "A Taste of Honey"...."Treasure" yes, is a beautiful albeit dated sonic document...Layla says it is the only Cocteau Twins ablum she needs but it is ofcourse not the only one we have. 'Ivo' might be my favorite song...I didn't know at the time but Ivo Watts-Russell used to hang out in the Wimpy in my home town of Kettering, where Staurt and I hung out a decade later, there were few places to go in Northamptonshire. I wrote a piece last year about an imagined meeting between my brother and Ivo, after reading 'Facing the Other Way', whilst I am not sure if they knew one another well they must've met at that time. It was a small pond that they both swam in. Although I feel their musical tastes diverged greatly. I remember my brother seeing Bauhaus play early on and saying they were the worst band he'd ever seen..."not a patch on Jethro Tull." Bill Drummond, who you mention in passing, was also another Northamptonshire local lad, at least he grew-up in Corby, where we also lived from 1971 through till 1980. Things like the Meat Puppets and the Minute Men I'd get-in-to a bit later (I will not get in to history nerd territory about Minutemen of the American Revolutionary Way). We have a lot of Prince in our record collection, they came with Layla, but he haunted my life for decades. I played the Bunnymen alot in 1984..."Killing Moon" is great, I prefer 'Seven Seas'...my gran passed before I could introduce her to The Bunnymen, I can't have go worse than introducing my parents to The Smiths, they didn't understand the irony. They were more into Slim Whitman and Al Jolson. And yes, your number one...Felt...I didn't have it in 1984, again I blame the tyranny of influence provided by Staurt and Mark (and possibly the tyranny of the giro)...but to be fair on Mark and the DHSS...I mainly blame Stuart, his Hitler Youth haircut, his plaid shirts, and his twin pillars of musical reference, being on one side Orange Juice and New Order on the other, and anything that didn't fit inbetween wasn't worth listening to...how everything had to be somehow "pop' in a manner I couldn't quite fathom or get behind. Staurt and I agreed on Lloyd Cole and the Bunnymen...and the following year agreed on the June Brides but if Staurt had had his way the Durutti Column would've been made illegal by 1983 and all recordings burned and I think Lawrence was beyond the pale for him but spot on for me, especially the instramental tracks. Which gets me to a point, whilst I am entirely respectful of and understand your choice of the 'Splendor of Fear' my own number one would be the Durutti Column 'Without Mercy'...but let us not fall out about it Christian...we can agree to differ I think...I didn't agree to differ with Stuart, he moved to Hull, and we didn't really bother to keep in touch. I believe he is a grandfather now, still carrying the flame for Edwyn Collins...as I carry mine for Vini, with a critical stance and a compassion, most of my musical heroes fallen from their pedestals long since...but that is okay...S.

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Layla-kd4ui Wow, Sean! What a superb read this was - as is always the case - and I thank you sincerely for your time, support, generosity in sharing your knowledge, and for consistently providing me (and The Vinyl Sanctuary community) with posts that are brimming with detail and overflowing with passion for some truly exceptional music! 😊🙏 Best wishes my friend, Christian

[@Layla-kd4ui]

@@TheVinylSanctuary thank ye Christian...I have already written most of my responce to your 1985 video in anticipation (I have guessed 6 albums including at least 1 of your top 5)...and to save time. Have a good weekend. I will be getting the scythe out for the last cut of the year...S.

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Layla-kd4ui Is it a good thing my picks are becoming predictable to you? 😮😉 I do wonder… 🤔 Six out of 25 is some pretty decent guesswork, so let’s see how you get on! Wishing you a geese weekend too, sir. I’ve been caught up in the Oasis ticket scramble today - having pledged to Mrs Ewen and our two nephews (both aged 27) that I would get them all to one of their shows because they’re big fans and have never seen them live. I’m happy to say I succeeded, but now I need some time in a darkened room to decompress! I do hope the last cut of the year is going well in the sunshine ☀️ Best wishes, Christian

[@Layla-kd4ui]

@@TheVinylSanctuary there will still be 19 albums that will surprise and delight me to a greater or lesser degree...which I think is what everyone wants from a VC channel; a mixture of the very familiar and the yet unknown. Whilst I enjoy watching almost anyone talk about their music enthusiastically if I watch a video and I have never heard of anything shown I feel alienated and out of the loop, but if there are also albums I am bound to know am "bound to" I feel like I am an insider. By skiimming the comments I think all your subscribers usually have at least 4 out of the 25 albums. 1985 does present a question for me however; when is an album not an album? Maybe you'll answer that one (or not). Have good day Christian. And by the way my draft for the aforementioned 1985 response is already at 1500 words, apologise in advance... S.

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@Layla-kd4ui Thank you very much indeed, Sean for the words of encouragement and support - and I do hope my 1985 vid is an enjoyable one for you (given the time and effort you have already put into your draft). Best wishes, Christian

[@philo9027]

Hi Chris, Re this list, I've been reflecting on my own fave albums of the '80s. I've gathered from another video, you've liked Japan, who I've pretty much disliked with the exception of "Ghosts"! 😂I found the band far too contrived. Just wondering if you've at all investigated any of David Sylvian's solo stuff? I've been quite a big fan of Sylvian's solo stuff. I've particularly loved Brilliant Trees and Dead Bees on a Cake. Brilliant Trees has been a big favourite album of 1984 and it's also been in my top 10 '80s albums. I've bought a 180g vinyl copy in recent years. Maybe you have heard his solo stuff and liked it, but you've preferred other stuff and you've not had it on vinyl. Am just curious. Phil p.s. You're doing well to keep up with all the messages!

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@philo9027 Hi, Phil 😊 Many thanks for your message and I do hope you have had a good week. Yes, I love Japan and have hugely enjoyed the solo works I have heard by David Sylvian - most notably ‘Brilliant Trees’ and ‘Dead Bees on a Cake’. I had, for many years, an original pressing of ‘Brilliant Trees’ but traded it in when I required some quick cash. It was a case of ‘needs must’, but there were a whole host of albums I could have sold ahead of it and didn’t. I regret selling ‘Brilliant Trees’ - as well as ‘Tracy Chapman’ and ‘A Walk Across the Rooftops’. Ah well…. Had I kept ‘Brilliant Trees’, it would have appeared in this vid. Anyhow, I’m delighted it’s a big fave of yours and that you have treated yourself to a nice 180g copy in recent times. Best wishes, Chris PS - Thank you. I am doing my best with the increase in correspondence. I believe if people are taking the time to watch and comment, then I should reply. It’s possible my responses may become shorter in length as time goes on, so I can manage the process more effectively, but I am very much enjoying interacting and getting to know a good number of fellow music lovers from across the world.

[@spoteach]

1984 Let's do it in another way. I'll re-rank mij 12 favourite albums from your list. 01. Treasure 02. Rattlesnakes 03. Ocean Rain 04. It'll End in Tears 05. Some Great Reward 06. It's My Life 07. Purple Rain 08. Forever Young 09. Learning to Crawl 10. Reckoning 11. Welcome to the Pleasuredome 12. Sisters And I'll add 12 more favourites that were not on your list. Discovery (Mike Oldfield) The Unforgettable Fire (U2) The Top (The Cure) Aural Sculpture (The Stranglers) Dead Can Dance (Dead Can Dance) Steeltown (Big Country) Human's Lib (Howard Jones) Human Racing (Nik Kershaw) Joe Jackson (Body and Soul) Mange Tout (Blancmange) The Age of Consent (Bronski Beat) Into the Gap (Thompson Twins)

[@TheVinylSanctuary]

@@spoteach This is brilliant, Gunter! Many thanks for taking the time to compile these lists, and for sharing them 😊🙏 Best wishes, Christian