This era of music pushed me further and further away from pop music all together. Having said that, I would say that there are a few pretty good things on that list from '85 -- Tears for Fears Shout (whom you've already discussed), I'm on Fire (one of the few songs from that album I really like), Dire Straits, Boys of Summer, and although the songs are terrible, the beginning of George Michael's career. In '86... god the beginning of that list is so awful!.... I'm a big fan of Howard Jones' "No one is to Blame", Simple Minds "Alive and Kicking", was disappointed by Sledgehammer but happy Gabriel got some airtime... but yes, all in all, I'd say that these two years are the main reason why people think 80's music was so bad. Agree with Kate Bush, Tom Waits, the Cure, and I also remember really enjoying The Alarm around this time too. Thanks for posting!
This era of music pushed me further and further away from pop music all together. Having said that, I would say that there are a few pretty good things on that list from '85 -- Tears for Fears Shout (whom you've already discussed), I'm on Fire (one of the few songs from that album I really like), Dire Straits, Boys of Summer, and although the songs are terrible, the beginning of George Michael's career. In '86... god the beginning of that list is so awful!.... I'm a big fan of Howard Jones' "No one is to Blame", Simple Minds "Alive and Kicking", was disappointed by Sledgehammer but happy Gabriel got some airtime... but yes, all in all, I'd say that these two years are the main reason why people think 80's music was so bad. Agree with Kate Bush, Tom Waits, the Cure, and I also remember really enjoying The Alarm around this time too. Thanks for posting!