I Just Can't Stop It
Artist: The English Beat
Community Score: 9.32

I Just Can't Stop It was a late arrival onto the checker- boarded scene, The Specials, Madness and The Selecter had all beat The (English) Beat to the punch, but luckily this wasn't a race. Besides, the band had already primed the pump with a trio of Top 10 singles -- the double A-sided "Tears of a Clown"/"Ranking Full Stop," "Hands Off She's... Read More

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Artist: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Community Score: 10.00

OMD's first full album won as much attention for its brilliant die-cut cover -- another example of Peter Saville's cutting-edge way around design -- as for its music, and its music is wonderful. For all that, this is a young band, working for just about the last time with original percussionist Winston; there's both a variety and ambition... Read More

Frenzy
Artist: Split Enz
Community Score: 10.00

Although often thought of as a transitional album, Frenzy shows the band in top form. Produced in England on a diminished budget, the album showcases pure pop with a hungry edge. "I See Red," added after the initial pressing, became a moderate hit in Australia and New Zealand, allowing the band the financial freedom to follow up with the... Read More

Time and Tide
Artist: Split Enz
Community Score: 10.00

Time and Tide stands as the band's creative peak and most fully realized effort. On previous albums, Split Enz remained distant and removed, only revealing what little they did between the lines; for Time and Tide, Tim and Neil Finn, while still clearly standing as outsiders, opened up, giving a rare glimpse at their feelings and thought... Read More

Built for Speed
Artist: Stray Cats
Community Score: 8.40

In 1982, the unexpected success of the Stray Cats' American debut, Built for Speed, made America aware that rockabilly, previously believed to be extinct, was actually alive and well somewhere in New Jersey (though the evidence had to be taken to England before anyone would notice). Pulling together six songs from the Stray Cats' self-titled... Read More

This Is the Ice Age
Artist: Martha & the Muffins

It all came together on this album for Martha and the Muffins. Working with a new producer, a young Daniel Lanois, and a new bass player (Daniel's sister, Jocelyne), the band seemed to have the freedom to produce their sound their way. And it worked in a big way. From the first track, the incredible "Swimming," ato the fantastic closer "Three... Read More

Everywhere at Once
Artist: The Plimsouls
Community Score: 9.00

After their two initial Planet Records albums, the Plimsouls took the major-label bait and signed on with Geffen Records. Everywhere at Once, their first Geffen album, has mixed results. While the change to a major label did have a profound impact on the band, it wasn't always for the best. While Jeff Eyrich's somewhat heavy-handed production... Read More

Kids in America
Artist: Kim Wilde
Enz of an Era
Artist: Split Enz
Community Score: 10.00

A solid collection of the singles from Second Thoughts (1976) to Time and Tide (1982). Although not all of the singles are present, all of the hits from that period are covered. Enz of an Era was originally most notable for inclusion of the rare "Another Great Divide," but it has been superseded by more current (and more easily found)... Read More