Top 80 Music Albums of 1989
by 
Romanelli 
- Chart updated: 07/14/2026 19:45
- (Created: 04/11/2012 18:15).
- Chart size: 80 albums.
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1989-4AD
Produced By GIL NORTON
1. Debaser
2. Tame
3. Wave Of Mutilation
4. I Bleed
5. Here Comes Your Man
6. Dead
7. Monkey Gone To Heaven
8. Mr. Grieves
9. Crackity Jones
10. La La Love You
11. No. 13 Baby
12. There Goes My Gun
13. Hey
14. Silver
15. Gouge Away
Hard to believe that the Pixies happened in the 80’s. Heavy influences on bands like Nirvana and Weezer, Pixies were a dynamic and exciting, albeit short lived band that set the standard for almost all of the indie rock bands that have followed to this day. Led by Black Francis, the band scored with two amazing albums, Come On Pilgrim and Surfer Rosa, that remain classics to this day. By the time of Doolittle, however, cracks were beginning to show. The working relationship between Francis and bassist Kim Deal (known as Mrs. John Murphy) had deteriorated to the point of the band going on hiatus for a year after the album, then breaking up for eleven years in 1993. Doolittle is a very emotional album, and a very good album, although it is somewhat overrated in that it’s not of the same caliber as the first two releases. Influencial? Very much so. Perfect? Not nearly so much.
Doolittle was much bigger in the UK than in the States, a consistent throughout their career. “Here Comes Your Man” and “Monkey Gone To Heaven” are standouts, as are “Debaser” and “Wave Of Mutilation”, which worked much better later on in a slowed down version. The subject matter is pretty dark (death, torture, etc.) and the songs are vividly dynamic with the loud to soft to loud approach that Kurt Cobain later found huge success with. The album is haunted by the infighting between Francis and Deal, but despite some inconsistencies in the writing, it still sounds pretty great. The band never reached near this level again, as evidenced by the poor albums that followed. But, for a two year period, Pixies were a monster of a band. Come on Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa and Doolittle are their important trilogy, and all three are worth having. [First added to this chart: 07/24/2012]
Produced By GIL NORTON
1. Debaser
2. Tame
3. Wave Of Mutilation
4. I Bleed
5. Here Comes Your Man
6. Dead
7. Monkey Gone To Heaven
8. Mr. Grieves
9. Crackity Jones
10. La La Love You
11. No. 13 Baby
12. There Goes My Gun
13. Hey
14. Silver
15. Gouge Away
Hard to believe that the Pixies happened in the 80’s. Heavy influences on bands like Nirvana and Weezer, Pixies were a dynamic and exciting, albeit short lived band that set the standard for almost all of the indie rock bands that have followed to this day. Led by Black Francis, the band scored with two amazing albums, Come On Pilgrim and Surfer Rosa, that remain classics to this day. By the time of Doolittle, however, cracks were beginning to show. The working relationship between Francis and bassist Kim Deal (known as Mrs. John Murphy) had deteriorated to the point of the band going on hiatus for a year after the album, then breaking up for eleven years in 1993. Doolittle is a very emotional album, and a very good album, although it is somewhat overrated in that it’s not of the same caliber as the first two releases. Influencial? Very much so. Perfect? Not nearly so much.
Doolittle was much bigger in the UK than in the States, a consistent throughout their career. “Here Comes Your Man” and “Monkey Gone To Heaven” are standouts, as are “Debaser” and “Wave Of Mutilation”, which worked much better later on in a slowed down version. The subject matter is pretty dark (death, torture, etc.) and the songs are vividly dynamic with the loud to soft to loud approach that Kurt Cobain later found huge success with. The album is haunted by the infighting between Francis and Deal, but despite some inconsistencies in the writing, it still sounds pretty great. The band never reached near this level again, as evidenced by the poor albums that followed. But, for a two year period, Pixies were a monster of a band. Come on Pilgrim, Surfer Rosa and Doolittle are their important trilogy, and all three are worth having. [First added to this chart: 07/24/2012]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
30,209
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1989-MCA
Produced By JEFF LYNNE
1. Free Fallin'
2. I Won't Back Down
3. Love Is A Long Road
4. A Face In The Crowd
5. Runnin' Down A Dream
6. Feel A Whole Lot Better
7. Yer So Bad
8. Depending On You
9. The Apartment Song
10. Alright For Now
11. A Mind With A Heart Of Its Own
12. Zombie Zoo
I think at some point, everyone has owned this album. Recorded during the short career of the Traveling Wilburys, Petty's debut solo album features all but one of them...only Bob Dylan is missing. ELO leader Jeff Lynne contributes heavily with production, bass, and songwriting. Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench are also present. The songs are catchy and memorable, and Petty sounds like he is truly having fun. "Free Fallin'", "I Won't Back Down", and "Runnin' Down A Dream" are the highlights, but don't sleep on "The Apartment Song" and "A Mind With A Heart Of Its Own", either. Overall, a solid effort from Petty & friends.
Roy Orbison makes an appearance on "Zombie Zoo", recorded before his death but released afterwards. George Harrison plays on "I Won't Back Down". [First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Produced By JEFF LYNNE
1. Free Fallin'
2. I Won't Back Down
3. Love Is A Long Road
4. A Face In The Crowd
5. Runnin' Down A Dream
6. Feel A Whole Lot Better
7. Yer So Bad
8. Depending On You
9. The Apartment Song
10. Alright For Now
11. A Mind With A Heart Of Its Own
12. Zombie Zoo
I think at some point, everyone has owned this album. Recorded during the short career of the Traveling Wilburys, Petty's debut solo album features all but one of them...only Bob Dylan is missing. ELO leader Jeff Lynne contributes heavily with production, bass, and songwriting. Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench are also present. The songs are catchy and memorable, and Petty sounds like he is truly having fun. "Free Fallin'", "I Won't Back Down", and "Runnin' Down A Dream" are the highlights, but don't sleep on "The Apartment Song" and "A Mind With A Heart Of Its Own", either. Overall, a solid effort from Petty & friends.
Roy Orbison makes an appearance on "Zombie Zoo", recorded before his death but released afterwards. George Harrison plays on "I Won't Back Down". [First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
3,257
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
3. (=)
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1989-RCA
Produced By TONY BERG
1. No Myth
2. Half Harvest
3. This & That
4. Brave New World
5. Innocent One
6. Disney's A Snow Cone/Bedlam Boys
7. Invisible
8. Cupid's Got A Brand New Gun
9. Big House
10. Battle Room
11. Evenfall
Yep. This is, indeed Sean Penn's little brother. And yes, the magic dust that seemed to bless the Penn children did not skip Michael. March is a strong debut album that came from nowhere to give us one of the more pleasant hit singles of 1989, the jangly acoustic "No Myth". What if I WAS Romeo in black jeans? But this wasn't just a one hit and a bunch of filler. March is actually a really good record.
The first 4 tracks are as strong a beginning of an album as you'll find. Catchy, melodic, and not a speck of cheese anywhere near it. "Brave New World" might be the catchiest song of the 80's that isn't buried in aquanet or new wave. And "Half Harvest", "This & That", and the awesome "Cupid's Got A Brand New Gun" are all just as good. (The last one, "Cupid", was actually partially recorded for my album...I almost covered it.)
March is not perfect...but it is really good. Definitely worth more than a spin, because this one does grow on you. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
Produced By TONY BERG
1. No Myth
2. Half Harvest
3. This & That
4. Brave New World
5. Innocent One
6. Disney's A Snow Cone/Bedlam Boys
7. Invisible
8. Cupid's Got A Brand New Gun
9. Big House
10. Battle Room
11. Evenfall
Yep. This is, indeed Sean Penn's little brother. And yes, the magic dust that seemed to bless the Penn children did not skip Michael. March is a strong debut album that came from nowhere to give us one of the more pleasant hit singles of 1989, the jangly acoustic "No Myth". What if I WAS Romeo in black jeans? But this wasn't just a one hit and a bunch of filler. March is actually a really good record.
The first 4 tracks are as strong a beginning of an album as you'll find. Catchy, melodic, and not a speck of cheese anywhere near it. "Brave New World" might be the catchiest song of the 80's that isn't buried in aquanet or new wave. And "Half Harvest", "This & That", and the awesome "Cupid's Got A Brand New Gun" are all just as good. (The last one, "Cupid", was actually partially recorded for my album...I almost covered it.)
March is not perfect...but it is really good. Definitely worth more than a spin, because this one does grow on you. [First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
1989-ELEKTRA
Produced By ROBERT SMITH & DAVID M ALLEN
1. Plainsong
2. Pictures Of You
3. Closedown
4. Lovesong
5. Last Dance
6. Lullaby
7. Fascination Street
8. Prayers For Rain
9. The Same Deep Water As You
10. Disintegration
11. Homesick
12. Untitled
The Cure's 8th album is their best selling, and may be their best overall album. Robert Smith was under a lot of pressure to come up with a winner, was back on the hallucinogenics, and was under pressure from the rest of the band to fire founding drummer Lol Tolhurst, which he did, leaving himself as the only remaining original member. Although the band has always disliked the "goth" label, Disintegration is a goth masterpiece. It's dark, with solid keyboards and great songs. The big hit was "Lovesong", their only US top 10, but the rest is very listenable, well written and played to perfection. A huge step up from their tinny sounding earlier work.
The Cure still rolls on. And, according to Kyle from South Park, "Disintegration is the best album ever". [First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
Produced By ROBERT SMITH & DAVID M ALLEN
1. Plainsong
2. Pictures Of You
3. Closedown
4. Lovesong
5. Last Dance
6. Lullaby
7. Fascination Street
8. Prayers For Rain
9. The Same Deep Water As You
10. Disintegration
11. Homesick
12. Untitled
The Cure's 8th album is their best selling, and may be their best overall album. Robert Smith was under a lot of pressure to come up with a winner, was back on the hallucinogenics, and was under pressure from the rest of the band to fire founding drummer Lol Tolhurst, which he did, leaving himself as the only remaining original member. Although the band has always disliked the "goth" label, Disintegration is a goth masterpiece. It's dark, with solid keyboards and great songs. The big hit was "Lovesong", their only US top 10, but the rest is very listenable, well written and played to perfection. A huge step up from their tinny sounding earlier work.
The Cure still rolls on. And, according to Kyle from South Park, "Disintegration is the best album ever". [First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
25,630
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1989-TWIN/TONE
Produced By JIM RONDINELLI, TOM HERBERS & THE JAYHAWKS
1. Two Angels
2. She’s Not Alone Anymore
3. Will I Be Married
4. Dead Endf Angel
5. Commonplace Streets
6. Ain’t No End
7. Five Cups Of Coffee
8. The Baltimore Sun
9. Red Firecracker
10. Sioux City
11. I’m Still Dreaming, Now I’m Yours
12. Martin’s Song
The Jayhawks released their self titled debut in 1986, which ended up out of print for 20 years until it was finally resurrected in 2010. The band then recorded a batch of demos to try and get a major label deal. The bands manager was able to get Twin/Tone to agree to release those demos, which became the Blue Earth album. The results were positive: after Blue Earth, The Jayhawks landed with American Records and found themselves with Black Crowes producer George Drakoulias. But getting back to Blue Earth…the demos were unfinished when Gary Louris left the band because of a car accident. When Twin/Tone picked them up, they brought Louris in to overdub his parts, after which he rejoined the band. The album did garner lots of notice for the band, and is a major step in the development of their distinctive sound.
What we end up with on Blue Earth is the second coming of The Flying Burrito Brothers. With Gram. And just as sloppy, due to the nature of the recordings. It’s impossible to not make the comparison. Mark Olson plays Parsons, with Louris as Chris Hillman. But The Jayhawks aren’t aping the Burritos: they’re expanding on them. Songs like “Two Angels” , “Dead End Angel” and ”The Baltimore Sun” show that this band had the goods, but an album like this wasn’t going to make them shine. The parts are there, the development is strong, and the sound is developing: but don’t forget that Blue Earth is a set of demos released basically as a favor to the band to try to get a big label to pay notice. It worked out fine, and Blue Earth, for all of its flaws, is still fascinating. Listen to the difference between this and, 3 years later, the masterful Hollywood Town Hall album. These are the seeds, nothing more. [First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
Produced By JIM RONDINELLI, TOM HERBERS & THE JAYHAWKS
1. Two Angels
2. She’s Not Alone Anymore
3. Will I Be Married
4. Dead Endf Angel
5. Commonplace Streets
6. Ain’t No End
7. Five Cups Of Coffee
8. The Baltimore Sun
9. Red Firecracker
10. Sioux City
11. I’m Still Dreaming, Now I’m Yours
12. Martin’s Song
The Jayhawks released their self titled debut in 1986, which ended up out of print for 20 years until it was finally resurrected in 2010. The band then recorded a batch of demos to try and get a major label deal. The bands manager was able to get Twin/Tone to agree to release those demos, which became the Blue Earth album. The results were positive: after Blue Earth, The Jayhawks landed with American Records and found themselves with Black Crowes producer George Drakoulias. But getting back to Blue Earth…the demos were unfinished when Gary Louris left the band because of a car accident. When Twin/Tone picked them up, they brought Louris in to overdub his parts, after which he rejoined the band. The album did garner lots of notice for the band, and is a major step in the development of their distinctive sound.
What we end up with on Blue Earth is the second coming of The Flying Burrito Brothers. With Gram. And just as sloppy, due to the nature of the recordings. It’s impossible to not make the comparison. Mark Olson plays Parsons, with Louris as Chris Hillman. But The Jayhawks aren’t aping the Burritos: they’re expanding on them. Songs like “Two Angels” , “Dead End Angel” and ”The Baltimore Sun” show that this band had the goods, but an album like this wasn’t going to make them shine. The parts are there, the development is strong, and the sound is developing: but don’t forget that Blue Earth is a set of demos released basically as a favor to the band to try to get a big label to pay notice. It worked out fine, and Blue Earth, for all of its flaws, is still fascinating. Listen to the difference between this and, 3 years later, the masterful Hollywood Town Hall album. These are the seeds, nothing more. [First added to this chart: 04/11/2012]
[First added to this chart: 06/11/2012]
[First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
[First added to this chart: 09/16/2012]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
22,126
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1989-CAPITOL
Produced By ED STASIUM
1. A Girl Like You
2. Blues Before And After
3. Blue Period
4. Baby Be Good
5. Room Without A View
6. Yesterday Girl
7. Cut Flowers
8. William Wilson
9. Maria Elena
10. Kiss Your Tears Away
The Smithereens came together in 1980, and stayed together with only one lineup change until the recent passing of frontman Pat DiNizio. 11, their 5th album, was named for and the cover inspired by a poster for the original Ocean’s 11 film. The album contains the hit “A Girl Like You”, as well as strong tracks like “Blues Before And After”, “William Wilson”, and “Baby Be Good”. Also, “Blue Period” is a duet featuring lead singer DiNizo and Belinda Carlisle.
11 marked a return for the band, who had slumped a little with their previous album Green Thoughts. While lacking the edge of the more successful Especially For You (“Blood And Roses”, “Behind The Wall Of Sleep”), this album is very tuneful and more mature sounding. It’s not perfect, but it is always a good listen. [First added to this chart: 08/07/2012]
Produced By ED STASIUM
1. A Girl Like You
2. Blues Before And After
3. Blue Period
4. Baby Be Good
5. Room Without A View
6. Yesterday Girl
7. Cut Flowers
8. William Wilson
9. Maria Elena
10. Kiss Your Tears Away
The Smithereens came together in 1980, and stayed together with only one lineup change until the recent passing of frontman Pat DiNizio. 11, their 5th album, was named for and the cover inspired by a poster for the original Ocean’s 11 film. The album contains the hit “A Girl Like You”, as well as strong tracks like “Blues Before And After”, “William Wilson”, and “Baby Be Good”. Also, “Blue Period” is a duet featuring lead singer DiNizo and Belinda Carlisle.
11 marked a return for the band, who had slumped a little with their previous album Green Thoughts. While lacking the edge of the more successful Especially For You (“Blood And Roses”, “Behind The Wall Of Sleep”), this album is very tuneful and more mature sounding. It’s not perfect, but it is always a good listen. [First added to this chart: 08/07/2012]
[First added to this chart: 04/13/2012]
Year of Release:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,194
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 80. Page 1 of 8
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Top 80 Music Albums of 1989 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| David Byrne | 1 | 1% | |
| The Charlie Daniels Band | 1 | 1% | |
| Nine Inch Nails | 1 | 1% | |
| Lloyd Cole And The Commotions | 1 | 1% | |
| Adrian Belew | 1 | 1% | |
| The Cure | 1 | 1% | |
| L.A. Guns | 1 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
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| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 09/15/2023 11:11 |  pedro1976 | 106 | 85/100 |
| ! | 10/01/2019 01:42 | DJENNY | 4,335 | 100/100 |
| ! | 11/15/2014 13:40 |  sssvnnn | 2,875 | 83/100 |
| ! | 10/17/2013 20:23 | JusticeDone | 424 | 96/100 |
| ! | 02/24/2013 03:05 |  sheep21 | 140 | 89/100 |
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sheep21 02/24/2013 03:06 | #65953
sheep21 02/24/2013 03:06 | #65953
Excellent choices.
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guigs13 01/10/2013 01:13 | #60872
Excellent album!
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