#212 Classy, Thrashy, Oceany
Hey folks!
There’s still 11 days left to nominate albums for the upcoming Best Album of 1989 tournament. Go here for instructions and a ballot.
Last week I said that The One True Poster completed his incredibly thorough survey of 1989 metal and hard rock. No, I was wrong! Apparently, he hadn’t done thrash metal yet, even though I can picture it my head. So here is On the Track of Unknown Metal Part VI: ...And No Justice for Thrash, the actual conclusion to the survey. It’s a real quick read, so I suggest you do so, take a note of a few albums that pique your interest, and get listenin’. (If you really can’t be arsed, then be sure to listen to OTP’s pick for best thrash of 1989, Sepultura’s BENEATH THE REMAINS.)
Best Album Bracketeer @edwar.bsky.social was kind enough to dive into classical for us and return with what they thought was the cream of the crop. Here is that crop:
Steve Reich, DIFFERENT TRAINS/ELECTRIC COUNTERPOINT
Sofia Gubaidulina, OFFERTORIUM
I hope you can get past the extreme “music you find at the library” vibe these covers put out. And by you I mean me. (At least the Reich has a hip, post-punk look; thank you Nonsuch.) But for real, I’m going to hit at least 2 of these, if not all.
Finally, I heard a new recommendation from Best Album Bracketeer @renamj.bsky.social, and I thought it was fantastic. It’s The Ocean Blue’s THE OCEAN BLUE. First track and lead single “Between Something and Nothing” is an all-timer, and every other track is a catchy banger. These guys are from Hershey, PA, but you’d be forgiven if you thought they were from Liverpool. Listening to it, you can practically see the “©1984 Sire Records” fade in and out in front of your eyes.
