Best Album of the '80s - And the winner is ... on page 14

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

Just cast my votes and in no bracket do I have all top 4 seeds advancing.


East
1 Thriller (Michael Jackson) -- Have to vote for MJ, despite the fact the Dire Straits album has some really good songs on it.
5 1999 (Prince) -- Like this one alot.
3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen) -- The album that made me a Springsteen fan. Can't vote against it.
10 1984 (Van Halen) -- too many songs I like here to vote against it in this round, especially against Run DMC

South
8 Like A Prayer (Madonna) - personal preference rears it's head. Like Madonna's material better than Public Enemy
5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads) - Tough choice, but I decided to give the edge to the Heads, although I could have easily voted for The Police.
3 Sign O' The Times (Prince) - Personal preference, I like Prince better than Metallica.
10 So (Peter Gabriel) - Although Guns n Roses album was a monster, I don't care for GnR, so Gabriel gets the nod.

Midwest
1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution) - An outstanding Prince album against Def Leppard's second best album of the decade is a no-brainer (had it been Pyromania instead of Hysteria, the choice would have been tougher)
4 Graceland (Paul Simon) - A classic album against a nice album. The classic wins out.
6 Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys) - East vs. West, need to choose East this time.
2 Back In Black (AC/DC) - Very tough choice again, but decided to go with the Aussies.

West
1 The Joshua Tree (U2) - A fantastic album against a fair MJ album, the classic wins out.
13 Beauty And The Beat (The Go-Go's) - A really nice Go-Gos disc vs. a band I don't remember that well, the nod goes to the Go-Gos.
3 Murmur (R.E.M.) - Don't care for The Cure, I like R.E.M., so personal taste wins out.
2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys) - Don't care for either band in this matchup, so just went by the seeding.

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

One bracket had a 4 seed lose in the first round.

East
1 Thriller (Michael Jackson) vs. 9 Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits) - No-brainer.
5 1999 (Prince) vs. 4 Like A Virgin (Madonna) Yeah, well . . .
11 Pretenders (Pretenders) vs. 3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen) - No-brainer.
10 1984 (Van Halen) vs. 2 Raising Hell (Run-D.M.C.) - Meh.

South
1 It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Public Enemy) vs. 8 Like A Prayer (Madonna) - It's still strange to me that this was one of the top seeds.
5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads) vs. 4 Synchronicity (The Police)
6 Master of Puppets (Metallica) vs. 3 Sign O' The Times (Prince) Maybe metal's greatest album.
10 So (Peter Gabriel) vs. 2 Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses) - In your eyes, I see the Nightrain.

Midwest
1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution) vs. 8 Hysteria (Def Leppard) - Landslide.
12 Let It Be (The Replacements) vs. 4 Graceland (Paul Simon) - The most boring matchup.
6 Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys) vs. 3 Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A) - West Coast vs. East Coast? No contest for me.
10 War (U2) vs. 2 Back In Black (AC/DC) - In the conversation as U2's greatest album, vs. the template for everything AC/DC has done for three decades. Not an upset in this corner.

West
1 The Joshua Tree (U2) vs. 9 Bad (Michael Jackson) Such a seminal record, just for the opening track, and One Tree Hill.
5 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul) vs. 13 Beauty And The Beat (The Go-Go's) - A classic Go-Go's album vs. a band largely forgotten. Who made this list?
11 Disintegration (The Cure) vs. 3 Murmur (R.E.M.) - A tough call here. Went with Cure's best vs. REM's third-best.
7 Run-D.M.C. (Run-D.M.C.) vs. 2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys) - Never liked the Beastie Boys (went to high school with way too many BB wannabes), but this was a seminal record, much to my bafflement.

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

I hate you all. Except the 10 of you who voted for Tracy Chapman's self-titled album.

Easily one of my top five of all time.

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

I'm shocked the Replacements beat Whitesnake ... in a good way.

I'm also happy good taste prevailed and that Bon Jovi got dumped by It Takes A Nation Of Millions.

I'm also very glad Paul Boutique advanced, but a Paul's Boutique-Straight Outta Compton matchup is epic and very hard to pick.

But here goes ...

East
1 Thriller (Michael Jackson) vs. 9 Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits) -- Easy choice.
5 1999 (Prince) vs. 4 Like A Virgin (Madonna) -- Another easy choice
11 Pretenders (Pretenders) vs. 3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen) -- Not as easy, but the Pretenders sounds vital. Born In The USA seems like a greatest hits album in hindsight. Unfair, but so it goes.
10 1984 (Van Halen) vs. 2 Raising Hell (Run-D.M.C.) -- I listened to 1984 far more back in the day, but I'd enjoy Raising Hell more now.

South
1 It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Public Enemy) vs. 8 Like A Prayer (Madonna) -- Call out the S1W's for the curb-stomping.
5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads) vs. 4 Synchronicity (The Police) -- This was the hardest one. Every fiber of my being said to pick the Talking Heads, because it's more innovative, etc. And I don't think Synchronicity has aged well, but the truth is that I'd listen to Synchronicity more than Remain In Light if given the choice.
6 Master of Puppets (Metallica) vs. 3 Sign O' The Times (Prince) -- Unfortunate draw here, but Sign O' The Times is epic.
10 So (Peter Gabriel) vs. 2 Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses) -- Welcome To The Jungle, Peter.

Midwest
1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution) vs. 8 Hysteria (Def Leppard) -- Ought to be an epic blowout.
12 Let It Be (The Replacements) vs. 4 Graceland (Paul Simon) -- My animus towards Graceland was noted in the first round.
6 Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys) vs. 3 Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A) -- Both fantastic albums, but I can't see myself voting against Paul's Boutique in this countdown.
10 War (U2) vs. 2 Back In Black (AC/DC) -- Back In Black is the only Brian Johnson album worth owning, but it's damn good.

West
1 The Joshua Tree (U2) vs. 9 Bad (Michael Jackson) -- Bad beat LL Cool J's Radio? Ugh.
5 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul) vs. 13 Beauty And The Beat (The Go-Go's) -- I love the Go Go's and I originally voted for them, but I occurred to me I hadn't listened to De La Soul since that album was out, so I refreshed my memory. Uhh. I changed my vote. Great album.
11 Disintegration (The Cure) vs. 3 Murmur (R.E.M.) -- Easy choice.
7 Run-D.M.C. (Run-D.M.C.) vs. 2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys) -- Not as easy. One album begot the other, really, but Licensed To Ill has some brilliance on it. It is to Run-D.M.C. as Metropolis is to The Great Train Robbery. Both are primitive, but Licensed To Ill is more refined.

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

Straight Outta Compton/Paul's Boutique is the toughest pick so far for me.

Do we need to leave voting open until Friday? Seems like Wednesday is plenty of time. Just my $0.02.

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

Wish I had voted earlier since Doolittle is in my top 5 all-time albums. Oh well.

East
1 Thriller (Michael Jackson) def. 9 Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits)
5 1999 (Prince) def.. 4 Like A Virgin (Madonna)
11 Pretenders (Pretenders) def. 3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)
2 Raising Hell (Run-D.M.C.) def. 10 1984 (Van Halen)

South
1 It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Public Enemy) def. 8 Like A Prayer (Madonna)
5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads) def. 4 Synchronicity (The Police)
3 Sign O' The Times (Prince) def. 6 Master of Puppets (Metallica) vs.
2 Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses) def. 10 So (Peter Gabriel)

Midwest
1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution) def. 8 Hysteria (Def Leppard)
12 Let It Be (The Replacements) def. 4 Graceland (Paul Simon)
3 Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A) def. 6 Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys)
10 War (U2) def. 2 Back In Black (AC/DC)

West
1 The Joshua Tree (U2) def 9 Bad (Michael Jackson)
5 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul) def. 13 Beauty And The Beat (The Go-Go's)
3 Murmur (R.E.M.) def. 11 Disintegration (The Cure) vs.
2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys) def. 7 Run-D.M.C. (Run-D.M.C.)

All 4 top seeds advance. Tough choices on some though.

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

East
1 Thriller (Michael Jackson) vs. 9 Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits)
5 1999 (Prince) vs. 4 Like A Virgin (Madonna)
11 Pretenders (Pretenders) vs. 3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)
10 1984 (Van Halen) vs. 2 Raising Hell (Run-D.M.C.)

South
1 It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Public Enemy) vs. 8 Like A Prayer (Madonna)
5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads) vs. 4 Synchronicity (The Police)
6 Master of Puppets (Metallica) vs. 3 Sign O' The Times (Prince)
10 So (Peter Gabriel) vs. 2 Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses)

Midwest
1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution) vs. 8 Hysteria (Def Leppard) -- the toughest call for me
12 Let It Be (The Replacements) vs. 4 Graceland (Paul Simon)
6 Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys) vs. 3 Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A)
10 War (U2) vs. 2 Back In Black (AC/DC)

West
1 The Joshua Tree (U2) vs. 9 Bad (Michael Jackson)
5 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul) vs. 13 Beauty And The Beat (The Go-Go's)
11 Disintegration (The Cure) vs. 3 Murmur (R.E.M.)
7 Run-D.M.C. (Run-D.M.C.) vs. 2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys)

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

Yay! ijag doesn't hate me!

But do I have to turn in my man card for voting for it?

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

No. Her voice is deeper than most men I know.

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament



East
<b>1 Thriller (Michael Jackson)</b> vs. 9 Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits)
<b>5 1999 (Prince)</b> vs. 4 Like A Virgin (Madonna)
11 Pretenders (Pretenders) vs. <b>3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)</b>
10 1984 (Van Halen) vs. <b>2 Raising Hell (Run-D.M.C.)</b>

South
1 It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Public Enemy) vs. <b>8 Like A Prayer (Madonna)</b>
<b>5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads)</b> vs. 4 Synchronicity (The Police)
<b>6 Master of Puppets (Metallica)</b> vs. 3 Sign O' The Times (Prince)
10 So (Peter Gabriel) vs. <b>2 Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses)</b>

Midwest
<b>1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution)</b> vs. 8 Hysteria (Def Leppard)
<b>12 Let It Be (The Replacements)</b> vs. 4 Graceland (Paul Simon)
<b>6 Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys)</b> vs. 3 Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A)
<b>10 War (U2)</b> vs. 2 Back In Black (AC/DC)

West
<b>1 The Joshua Tree (U2)</b> vs. 9 Bad (Michael Jackson)
5 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul) vs. <b>13 Beauty And The Beat (The Go-Go's)</b>
11 Disintegration (The Cure) vs. <b>3 Murmur (R.E.M.)</b>
7 Run-D.M.C. (Run-D.M.C.) vs. <b>2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys)</b>

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

East
1 Thriller (Michael Jackson) vs. 9 Brothers In Arms (Dire Straits)
5 1999 (Prince) vs. 4 Like A Virgin (Madonna)
11 Pretenders (Pretenders) vs. 3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)
10 1984 (Van Halen) vs. 2 Raising Hell (Run-D.M.C.)

South
1 It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Public Enemy) vs. 8 Like A Prayer (Madonna)
5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads) vs. 4 Synchronicity (The Police)
6 Master of Puppets (Metallica) vs. 3 Sign O' The Times (Prince)
10 So (Peter Gabriel) vs. 2 Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses)

Midwest
1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution) vs. 8 Hysteria (Def Leppard)
12 Let It Be (The Replacements) vs. 4 Graceland (Paul Simon)
6 Paul's Boutique (Beastie Boys) vs. 3 Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A)
10 War (U2) vs. 2 Back In Black (AC/DC)

West
1 The Joshua Tree (U2) vs. 9 Bad (Michael Jackson)
5 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul) vs. 13 Beauty And The Beat (The Go-Go's)
11 Disintegration (The Cure) vs. 3 Murmur (R.E.M.)
7 Run-D.M.C. (Run-D.M.C.) vs. 2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys)

 

Re: Best Album of the '80s - A Tournament (First-round results on page 6)

My vote:


East
1 Thriller (Michael Jackson)
4 Like A Virgin (Madonna)
3 Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen)
2 Raising Hell (Run-D.M.C.)

South
1 It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (Public Enemy)
5 Remain In Light (Talking Heads)
6 Master of Puppets (Metallica)
2 Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses)

Midwest
1 Purple Rain (Prince and the Revolution)
4 Graceland (Paul Simon)
3 Straight Outta Compton (N.W.A)
10 War (U2)

West
1 The Joshua Tree (U2)
5 3 Feet High and Rising (De La Soul)
3 Murmur (R.E.M.)
2 Licensed To Ill (Beastie Boys)