As mentioned in the Bruford polls, I think that the Bruford's Earthworks albums of the 80s are very fresh, original, and creative. There was a unique warm use of melodic electronic drumming, and a nice fusion of prog, jazz, and more recent electronic elements with a bit of well dosed free experimentation thrown in. Not sure whether this can be called "ahead of its time" as I don't know of many people who took up this kind of thing later, but it was surely unique. (For some reason not so popular around here.)

Over the last decade I've come to appreciate the 1980s more than I had in the past. It was mostly from discovering bands in the RIO/Avant-Prog areas, especially Present -- one of my absolute favorites. It's sad that their 2024 release will be their last, but what an album to end a discography with. It likely will be my #1 in my top 20 of 2024 once I finalize my list.

richardh wrote: I mentioned Iron Maiden on the sister thread and would still put them here for Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. The birth of 'prog metal' perhaps.

verslibre wrote: moshkito wrote: Djam Karet starts up in 1985, but the album that got their attention was in 1989 (Reflections From the Firepool) Correct, it remains the favorite album of more than a few DK fans, Greg Walker included. moshkito wrote: I also find it weird when folks think the 1980's weren't very good ... Ditto. I own hundreds of albums released in the '80s.

verslibre wrote: moshkito wrote: Djam Karet starts up in 1985, but the album that got their attention was in 1989 (Reflections From the Firepool) Correct, it remains the favorite album of more than a few DK fans, Greg Walker included. moshkito wrote: I also find it weird when folks think the 1980's weren't very good ... Ditto. I own hundreds of albums released in the '80s.

moshkito wrote: Djam Karet starts up in 1985, but the album that got their attention was in 1989 (Reflections From the Firepool)

Correct, it remains the favorite album of more than a few DK fans, Greg Walker included.

moshkito wrote: I also find it weird when folks think the 1980's weren't very good ...

Ditto. I own hundreds of albums released in the '80s.

Early Djam Karet.

Of course I'm going to mention, Allan Holdsworth and the Pat Metheny Group.

Both ahead of their time in the 80's and even today. Timeless.

While RIO/Avant and Zeuhl or the 1980's feel fresh and innovative to me even today, it's none of it was really ahead of its time. But here's few suggestions:

The Residents - Mark of the Mole (including Intermission & The Tunes of Two Cities). Most of the trilogy has a certain industrial concept-feel to it, that doesn't really resemble much music I know of made back then. I feel that I've heard similar or comparable electronic soundscapes, beats and machinery etc... all the time thoughout the last three decades.

Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden. I guess there's still nothing quite like it, but I think a certain approach to sound and what a rock song could be, was heard here that feels rather unique for its time.

Although combining from many traditions old and new, Dead Can Dance whole 1980's career is filled with music that wasn't really out there prior to their existence. Within the Realms of a Dying Sun, Spleen And Ideal, The Serpent's Egg... these kinds of musical fusions were perhaps heard in bits hare and there before Brendan and Lisa entered the scene. But there was no albums filled with music like this.

Kate Bush - for The Dreaming and Hounds of Love in particular. Every "strange, artsy and artistic woman" in music ever since has been compared to her. She's like the motherlode.


Edited by Saperlipopette! - Yesterday at 17:36