#356 The Best Album of 1989, Round 3 Match #99: N.W.A vs. Prince
Hey folks! N.W.A, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON vs. Prince, BATMAN Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #8 N.W.A, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON Listen on Spotify or...
#355 The Best Album of 1989, Round 3 Match #98: Galaxie 500 vs. Faith No More
Hey folks! Galaxie 500, ON FIRE vs. Faith No More, THE REAL THING Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #16 Galaxie 500, ON FIRE Listen on Spotify or YouTube...
#354 The Best Album of 1989, Round 3 Match #97: Pixies vs. The D.O.C.
Hey folks! Pixies, DOOLITTLE vs. The D.O.C., NO ONE CAN DO IT BETTER Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #1 Pixies, DOOLITTLE Listen on Spotify or YouTube...
#353 The 32 Best Albums of 1989
Hey folks! Here are the 32 best albums of 1989 as decided by you, the voters. If anyone asks you what the 32 best albums of 1989 are, you direct them to this...
#352 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #96: Neil Young vs. Spacemen 3
Hey folks! Neil Young, FREEDOM vs. Spacemen 3, PLAYING WITH FIRE Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #22 Neil Young, FREEDOM Listen on Spotify or YouTube...
#351 Best Album of 1989 Tournament: Week #19 Wrap-Up
Hey folks! 3rd Bass, you’re out. You’ve been run out of town on a rail, Steve. EARWIG has been exterminated. THE SEEDS OF LOVE have been reaped. Oh no!...
#350 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #95: Fugazi vs. Nomeansno
Hey folks! Fugazi, 13 SONGS vs. Nomeansno, WRONG Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #11 Fugazi, 13 SONGS Listen on Spotify or YouTube vs. #75 Nomeansno,...
#349 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #94: Fine Young Cannibals vs. Tears for Fears
Hey folks! Fine Young Cannibals, THE RAW & THE COOKED vs. Tears for Fears, THE SEEDS OF LOVE Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #27 Fine Young Cannibals,...
#348 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #93: Nirvana vs. Blake Babies
Hey folks! Nirvana, BLEACH vs. Blake Babies, EARWIG Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #6 Nirvana, BLEACH Listen on Spotify or YouTube vs. #59 Blake...
#347 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #92: Neneh Cherry vs. Steve Reich
Hey folks! Neneh Cherry, RAW LIKE SUSHI vs. Steve Reich, DIFFERENT TRAINS/ELECTRIC COUNTERPOINT Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #19 Neneh Cherry, RAW...
#346 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #91: The Jesus and Mary Chain vs. 3rd Bass
Hey folks! The Jesus and Mary Chain, AUTOMATIC vs. 3rd Bass, THE CACTUS ALBUM Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #14 The Jesus and Mary Chain, AUTOMATIC...
#345 2001: My Recent Favorites
Hey folks! I’m going to assume you saw the last email that went out a few hours ago. (If not, click here.) Since right now all I’m essentially doing is...
#344 Best Album of 1989 Matches Canceled This Week (9/29-10/3)
Hey folks, In case you don’t follow me on Bluesky, I found out earlier today (Sunday 9/28) that my mom is not likely to live past this week, and maybe not...
#343 Best Album of 1989 Tournament: Week #18 Wrap-Up
Hey folks! Work is done, Bob. Pop Will Eat Itself, you been et. Indigo Girls, you’re closer to fin. You’ve been deposed, Queen. Michael, MARCH on outta here....
#342 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #90: Camper Van Beethoven vs. Michael Penn
Hey folks! Camper Van Beethoven, KEY LIME PIE vs. Michael Penn, MARCH Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #30 Camper Van Beethoven, KEY LIME PIE Listen on...
#341 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #89: De La Soul vs. Queen Latifah
Hey folks! De La Soul, 3 FEET HIGH AND RISING vs. Queen Latifah, ALL HAIL THE QUEEN Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #3 De La Soul, 3 FEET HIGH AND...
#340 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #88: Indigo Girls vs. The Wedding Present
Hey folks! Indigo Girls, INDIGO GIRLS vs. The Wedding Present, BIZARRO Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #23 Indigo Girls, INDIGO GIRLS Listen on Spotify...
#339 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #87: The B-52’s vs. Pop Will Eat Itself
Hey folks! The B-52's, COSMIC THING vs. Pop Will Eat Itself, THIS IS THE DAY... THIS IS THE HOUR... THIS IS THIS! Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #10...
#338 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #86: Bob Mould vs. Jungle Brothers
Hey folks! Bob Mould, WORKBOOK vs. Jungle Brothers, DONE BY THE FORCES OF NATURE Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #26 Bob Mould, WORKBOOK Listen on...
#337 Best Album of 1989 Tournament: Week #17 Wrap-Up
Hey folks! No mercy for you, Bob. Bonnie, you ran out of time. Business is closed, EPMD. This KITE has flown, Kirsty. BDP, you are O-U-T. Absolutely...
#336 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #85: The Stone Roses vs. Boogie Down Productions
Hey folks! The Stone Roses, THE STONE ROSES vs. Boogie Down Productions, GHETTO MUSIC: THE BLUEPRINT OF HIP HOP Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #7 The...
#335 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #84: Kate Bush vs. Kirsty MacColl
Hey folks! #18 Kate Bush, THE SENSUAL WORLD vs. #47 Kirsty MacColl, KITE Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #18 Kate Bush, THE SENSUAL WORLD Listen on...
#334 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #83: Madonna vs. EPMD
Hey folks! Madonna, LIKE A PRAYER vs. EPMD, UNFINISHED BUSINESS Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #15 Madonna, LIKE A PRAYER Listen on Spotify or YouTube...
#333 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #82: Ministry vs. Bonnie Raitt
Hey folks! Ministry, THE MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO TASTE vs. Bonnie Raitt, NICK OF TIME Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #31 Ministry, THE MIND IS A...
#332 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #81: Beastie Boys vs. Bob Dylan
Hey folks! Beastie Boys, PAUL'S BOUTIQUE vs. Bob Dylan, OH MERCY Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #2 Beastie Boys, PAUL'S BOUTIQUE Listen on Spotify or...
#331 Best Album of 1989 Tournament: Week #16 Wrap-Up
Hey folks! Goodbye, Beautiful South. More like so unalive, Love and Rockets. Tracy, I love you but you’re outta here. Operation Ivy? More like Operation...
#330 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #80: Lou Reed vs. Soundgarden
Hey folks! Lou Reed, NEW YORK vs. Soundgarden, LOUDER THAN LOVE Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #21 Lou Reed, NEW YORK Listen on Spotify or YouTube vs....
#329 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #79: New Order vs. Operation Ivy
Hey folks! New Order, TECHNIQUE vs. Operation Ivy, ENERGY Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #12 New Order, TECHNIQUE Listen on Spotify or YouTube vs. #53...
#328 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #78: Yo La Tengo vs. Tracy Chapman
Hey folks! Yo La Tengo, PRESIDENT YO LA TENGO vs. Tracy Chapman, CROSSROADS Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #28 Yo La Tengo, PRESIDENT YO LA TENGO...
#327 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #77: Nine Inch Nails vs. Love and Rockets
Hey folks! Nine Inch Nails, PRETTY HATE MACHINE vs. Love and Rockets, LOVE AND ROCKETS Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #5 Nine Inch Nails, PRETTY HATE...
#326 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #76: Julee Cruise vs. The Beautiful South
Hey folks! Julee Cruise, FLOATING INTO THE NIGHT vs. The Beautiful South, WELCOME TO THE BEAUTIFUL SOUTH Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #20 Julee...
#325 2001 Albums: Readers Pick Their Obscure Favorites
Hey folks! New horizons. A week ago, in preparation for the upcoming Best Album of 2001 tournament, I provided a list of the 17 albums I considered the best...
#324 Best Album of 1989 Tournament: Week #15 Wrap-Up
Hey folks! You’re all dried up, Vaselines. Replacements, you’ve been replaced. KEEP ON MOVIN’, do stop. It’s all lemons for you, XTC. Wire, IETABA (It’s...
#323 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #75: Janet Jackson vs. Wire
Hey folks! Janet Jackson, JANET JACKSON'S RHYTHM NATION 1814 vs. Wire, IT'S BEGINNING TO AND BACK AGAIN Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #13 Janet...
#322 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #74: XTC vs. The Cult
Hey folks! XTC, ORANGES AND LEMONS vs. The Cult, SONIC TEMPLE Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #29 XTC, ORANGES AND LEMONS Listen on Spotify or YouTube...
#321 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #73: The Cure vs. Soul II Soul
Hey folks! The Cure, DISINTEGRATION vs. Soul II Soul, CLUB CLASSICS VOL. ONE a.k.a. KEEP ON MOVIN' Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #4 The Cure,...
#320 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #72: The Replacements vs. Mekons
Hey folks! The Replacements, DON'T TELL A SOUL vs. Mekons, THE MEKONS ROCK N' ROLL Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #24 The Replacements, DON'T TELL A...
#319 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #71: Tom Petty vs. The Vaselines
Hey folks! Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #9 Tom Petty, FULL MOON FEVER Listen on Spotify or YouTube vs. #56 The Vaselines, DUM-DUM Listen on Spotify...
#319 My Favorite 2001 Albums (Since 2001, more or less)
Hey folks! My God, it’s full of bangers. Well, we’re halfway through the 1989 tournament, so it’s time to start thinking about the next tournament, which...
#318 Best Album of 1989 Tournament: Week #14 Wrap-Up
Hey folks! You’ve been shut down, BUZZ FACTORY. It’s -30- for you, 808 State. UHF, U R outta here. Robyn, the QUEEN is dead. It’s a pear shaped world, Chris....
#317 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #70: Prince vs. Chris Isaak
Hey folks! Prince, BATMAN vs. Chris Isaak, HEART SHAPED WORLD Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #25 Prince, BATMAN Listen on Spotify or YouTube vs. #40...
#316 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #69: N.W.A vs. Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians
Hey folks! N.W.A, STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON vs. Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians, QUEEN ELVIS Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #8 N.W.A, STRAIGHT OUTTA...
#315 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #68: Faith No More vs. “Weird Al” Yankovic
Hey folks! Faith No More, THE REAL THING vs. “Weird Al” Yankovic, UHF - ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK AND OTHER STUFF Today’s Best Album of 1989 match...
#314 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #67: Galaxie 500 vs. 808 State
Hey folks! Galaxie 500, ON FIRE vs. 808 State, 90 Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #16 Galaxie 500, ON FIRE Listen on Spotify or YouTube vs. #49 808...
#313 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #66: Screaming Trees vs. The D.O.C.
Hey folks! Screaming Trees, BUZZ FACTORY vs. The D.O.C, NO ONE CAN DO IT BETTER Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #96 Screaming Trees, BUZZ FACTORY Listen...
#312 Best Album of 1989 Tournament: Week #13 Wrap-Up
Hey folks! You’re taking a dirt nap, FLOWERS. Kiss my ass, Pogues. I ain’t hearin’ that, Pauline. Keep waiting, CLOUDLAND. More like Beat Not-Happening. A...
#311 The Best Album of 1989, Round 2 Match #65: Pixies vs. Beat Happening
Hey folks! Before we get started, please note that yesterday was the last match of Round 1, and Round 2 begins today. The end of Round 1 also marks the...
#310 The Best Album of 1989, Round 1 Match #64: Spacemen 3 vs. Pere Ubu
Hey folks! Spacemen 3, PLAYING WITH FIRE vs. Pere Ubu, CLOUDLAND Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #43 Spacemen 3, PLAYING WITH FIRE Listen on Spotify or...
#309 The Best Album of 1989, Round 1 Match #63: Neil Young vs. Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster, Panaiotis
Hey folks! Neil Young, FREEDOM vs. Pauline Oliveros, Stuart Dempster, Panaiotis, DEEP LISTENING Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #22 Neil Young, FREEDOM...
#308 The Best Album of 1989, Round 1 Match #62: The Pogues vs. Nomeansno
Hey folks! The Pogues, PEACE AND LOVE vs. Nomeansno, WRONG Today’s Best Album of 1989 match is: #54 The Pogues, PEACE AND LOVE Listen on Spotify or YouTube...