Cinéma Vérité
Artist: Dramarama
Community Score: 10.00

Probably the greatest rock release from 1985 that almost no one has ever heard, Cinema Verite is a simply fantastic album. Blending everything from British Invasion panache and glam influences to punk energy and back again, its cult legend was established by L.A. DJ legend Rodney Bingenheimer. He played "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" to... Read More

Hard Road
Artist: True Believers

In Austin, TX, a town where great roots rock bands grow like crabgrass in suburbia, the True Believers gained a reputation as something very special right off the bat, and their blazing live shows earned them a rabid following long before they cut their first record. Unfortunately, they also became the classic example of a fine band brought down... Read More

54-40
Artist: 54-40

54-40 are a typical college rock outfit from the '80s. They play smart, snappy music with just enough angst so as to catch your attention. They had solid production, good hooks, just about everything it takes to make it. So, why didn't they? This album is great. It includes "I Go Blind" which Hootie & the Blowfish have covered, although 54-40's... Read More

Stealin' Horses
Artist: Stealin' Horses
Blind Leading the Naked
Artist: Violent Femmes

A more mainstream effort courtesy of producer Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads). Gano returns to his troubled teen persona and the band rocks harder than on the previous two releases. A nice cover of the T-Rex classic "Children of the Revolution" and the yearning "I Held Her in My Arms," complete with a horn section, are highlights. ~ Chris... Read More

Tim
Artist: The Replacements
Community Score: 8.44

Let It Be made the Replacements into college radio and critical favorites, leading the group to a major-label contract with Sire. The band's major-label debut, Tim, does represent a bit of a compromise of the group's garage punk sound. Producer Tommy Erdelyi (formerly of the Ramones) helped clean up the band's sound, primarily by harnessing the... Read More

Let It Be
Artist: The Replacements
Community Score: 9.14

The Replacements half-heartedly tried to expand their reach on Hootenanny, and they followed through on that album's promise on Let It Be. Kicking off with the country-rock shuffle of "I Will Dare," the record explodes into a series of pseudo-hardcore ravers before hitting Paul Westerberg's piano-driven rumination, "Androgynous," one of four... Read More

3-Way Tie (For Last)
Artist: Minutemen

D. Boon's death in December 1985 was one of rock's most tragic occurrences. And, a decade later, I find that it still affects the way I listen to this, the "final" Minutemen record. Boon was hitting his stride here; the songs were emphatic, smart, and marked by his increasing sociopolitical awareness. Boon did not suffer fools gladly, and this... Read More

Native Sons
Artist: The Long Ryders
Community Score: 9.00

Native Sons was the first full-length album by the Long Ryders and the one that established their eclectic mixture of Byrds/Clash/Flying Burrito Brothers' influences. The band wore those influences on their sleeve, literally, going so far as to recreate the cover of an unreleased Buffalo Springfield album, Stampede, for Native Sons and using the... Read More

The Best of Dramarama: 18 Big Ones
Artist: Dramarama

Despite all of their good reviews, Dramarama was never able to break into the mainstream. Nevertheless, they left behind a number of terrific rock & roll albums, which found a dedicated cult following. For anyone interested in joining that cult, Best of Dramarama: 18 Big Ones provides an excellent primer, featuring 16 of the group's best songs... Read More