Lost Classics of the 80s

London Calling, Purple Rain, Thriller, Back in Black make most lists, and, there's not many logical arguments against any of those perennial favorites.

But, who needs another list rehashing the obvious?

Here's five of the best 80s albums you probably haven't heard. Until now, that is.

Wild Swans - Bringing Home the Ashes

Often regarded as some sort of lost classic from the new wave-era (likely due to the band's close association with the likes of Icicle Works, Echo & the Bunnymen and the Teardrop Explodes), Bringing Home the Ashes melds janglepop with some some obvious U2 influence, succeeding with bombast on, namely, the album's title track and the stunner "Worst Year of My Life," uplifting despite its name.

Virginia Astley - From Gardens Where We Feel Secure

No relation to 80s hearthrob Rick Astley (of "Never Gonna Give You Up" fame), but in fact Pete Townshend's sister-in-law, littleknown pianist Virigina Astley dropped this ambient masterpeice in 1983. The album, released on the Rough Trade label, ambient and wordless as it may be, is largely regarded as the best field recordings known to man.

Tommy Keene - Based on Happy Times

While Keene's catalog is vast and varied, his brief two-album tenure with major label Geffen seemed to bring out his best, with Based on Happy Times probably his most consistent release to date. The much buzzed about college rocker took his cues from the likes of Petty and Big Star, churning out sounds akin to Let's Active, R.E.M. and the Gin Blossoms. The album's closer, "A Way Out," desolate and downtrodden as it may be, is the album's
highlight.

Daniel Lanois - Acadie

Although Daniel Lanois may be most noted for his production work with U2 (in fact he recently assisted on their forthcoming No Line on the Horizon), he's consistently made outstanding (if not much more scaled down and lowkey than U2, obviously) solo recordings since 1989. The lush Acadie, folk-tinged as it may be, has echos of
new age throughout, and is nothing short of gorgeous, if only for its simplicity.

The Dukes of Stratosphear - Chips from the Chocolate Fireball

This psychedelic offshoot of XTC is not only regarded as being better than anything in the vast XTC library, but it could also be argued as being one of the finer psych-rock albums since the 60s. Seemingly melding together all the best moments of The Zombies, Syd Barrett-era Pink Floyd and Revolver, Chips compiles the band's entire 16-track history.