Previously Unreleased

35-31

35. U2 – Achtung Baby (1991)
Must Hear: One
Underappreciated Gem: Acrobat

This was the album that announced to the world that the “Band of the 80’s” was ready to lay claim to the next decade as well. From Bono’s proclamation of “I’m ready, ready for what’s next” at the outset to the chilling closer “Love Is Blindness”, Achtung Baby transforms U2 from arena rock flag wavers to industrial monsters but never loses sight of the band’s true vision and exquisite storytelling. “One” is arguably the greatest song the band has ever produced (rivaled only by “With or Without You” in my mind) and “Mysterious Ways”, “Even Better Than The Real Thing” and “Acrobat” are prime examples of the musicianship and growth that keeps U2 at the top of the heap even 17 years after this album’s release.

34. Madonna – True Blue (1986)
Must Hear: Open Your Heart
Underappreciated Gem: Live To Tell

A quintessential 80’s pop album, True Blue was the recording where Madonna succesfully made the leap from dance club diva to serious songstress. Led by three stunning mega hits, the latin flavored “La Isla Bonita”, the wistful yet melodic “Open Your Heart” and the controversial (at the time) teen pregnancy theme song and radio favorite “Papa Don’t Preach”, this album introduced Madonna to a whole new audience and a showed a leap forward in her musical maturity that makes this her finest single work.

33. Counting Crows – Recovering The Satellites (1996)
Must Hear: Angels of The Silences
Underappreciated Gem: Catapult

Following up their smash debut “August and Everything After” seemed like a daunting task for Adam Duritz and Co. but they not only equaled their previous foray but in terms of songwriting surpassed it. This album which is equal parts classic rock and heartfelt folk, becomes a showcase for Duritz’s voice from the beginning balladry of “Catapult” to the grand “Daylight Fading” and “Miller’s Angels” and the achingly sorrowful hit “A Long December” making it their most accomplished production yet.

32. Public Enemy – Fear of A Black Planet (1990)
Must Hear: Fight The Power
Underappreciated Gem: Burn Hollywood Burn

Public Enemy’s third album is everything a rap album should be. The messages brought to light by Chuck D and Flavor Flav on Fear of a Black Planet were urgent as a bullet and helped to bring awareness to the struggles of the inner city like no other album since Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” and “Innervisions”. Whether it’s racism, sexism or social injustice, Chuck D goes after the offenders with one impassioned pronouncement after another. Flav even gets in on the act with the memorable “911 Is a Joke” that plays as catchy satire but is truly one of the most true indictments of urban policy anyone has ever come up with. A touchstone in making the rap genre more than just party music.

31. PJ Harvey – To Bring You My Love (1995)
Must Hear: Down By The Water
Underappreciated Gem: Send His Love To Me

This is the album on which PJ Harvey finally lived up to her early promise as a songwriter. She plots a a winding course through her feminine psyche that ranges from lament on “Working For The Man” to desire on “Long Snake Moan” and delirium on “Down By The Water”. With the caressing “Send His Love To Me”, Harvey puts a beautiful bow on what is the perfect gift to her fans, a completely engrossing album.