10cc - Windows in the Jungle

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Windows in the Jungle, the ninth album from the British pop band 10cc. It charted at number 97 in Canada, number 70 in the UK and number 7 in the Netherlands. It would also be the last album the band would release until 1992.

Nicolette Larson - Nicolette (35th anniversary)

Today (September 29th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of Nicolette, the debut album from American songstress Nicolette Larson.

Please click here to read my full review of that album.

Tom Browne - Rockin' Radio

Today (September 29th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Rockin’ Radio, the fifth studio album from New York City musician Tom Browne. This trumpeter hit the recording scene in 1979 an made a big splash on the US Billboard R&B charts in the early 80’s.

The Big Chill (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Yesterday (September 28th) marked the thirtieth anniversary of the release of The Big Chill, a dramatic-comedy about baby boomer college friends coming together, after fifteen years apart, for the funeral of a friend hit the theatres. This smart, funny and engaging film featured an all-star cast.

The Big Chill soundtrack album was pretty all-star too. It featured a who's who of Motown artists and more that perfectly spoke to the baby boomer generation. Click here for my complete review of this record.

Alice Cooper - DaDa

After his 1982 release Zipper Catches Skin (click here for that review), rocker Alice Cooper returned to record his fifteenth studio album. The result was DaDa which was released thirty years ago today (September 28th, 1983). While it failed to make the US Billboard Album chart, it did peak on the UK charts at number 93.

Art of Noise - Into Battle With the Art of Noise

Today we are marking the thirtieth anniversary of In Battle With the Art of Noise, the debut EP from the band known as the Art of Noise. Their initial roster consisted of Anne Dudley, J.J. Jeczalik, Gary Langan, Trevor Horn and Paul Morley. This one first hit record stores on September 26th of 1983.

Linda Ronstadt - Living in the USA

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Living in the USA, the ninth studio album from Linda Ronstadt. This 1978 release went to number 39 in the UK, number 23 in Japan, number 19 in the Netherlands, number 9 in Canada, number 3 in Australia and New Zealand, and number 1 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Mötley Crüe - Shout at the Devil (30th anniversary)

Today (September 26th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Shout at the Devil, the second studio album from heavy metal rockers Mötley Crüe.

Click here for my full review of this multi-Platinum selling record.

Village People - Cruisin'

Today (September 25th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Cruisin’, the first full-length studio album from the Village People. This one, produced by French disco guru Jacques Morali, went Platinum in both the US and Canada. Chart-wise, it reached number 24 in the UK, number 5 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and number 3 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Michael Sembello - Bossa Nova Hotel (30th anniversary)

Today (September 25th), marks the thirtieth anniversary of Bossa Nova Hotel, the debut album from singer-songwriter Michael Sembello.

If you're a dance music "Maniac" like I am, you'll want to check out my full review of the 1983 album here.

DeBarge - In A Special Way

Following their 1982 album All This Love (click here for that review), the five-member family group DeBarge returned to the studio to work on their third album. The result was 1983’s In A Special Way which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary today (September 24th). This one charted similarly to its predecessor, reaching number 36 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 4 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Blondie - Parallel Lines (35th anniversary)

Today (September 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Blondie's Parallel Lines, an album that helped them crossover to a whole new audience.

Click here for the complete review of this 1978 album.

Aldo Nova - Subject: Aldo Nova

Following his self-titled 1982 debut Aldo Nova (click here for that review), the Canadian rocker returned in 1983 with Subject: Aldo Nova. This one peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard Album chart. Today, we give this one a listen to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary this month.

Al Stewart - Time Passages

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Time Passages, the eighth studio release from Scottish singer-songwriter Al Stewart. This 1978 album, which went to number 39 in the UK and number 10 on the US Billboard Album chart, was produced by Alan Parsons.

Eddie and the Cruisers (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Tomorrow (September 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Eddie and the Cruisers, the tale of a fictional rock 'n' roll band with a mysterious band leader. The film starred Tom Berenger, Michael Paré, Joe Pantoliano, Matthew Laurance and Ellen Barkin. The soundtrack of the film, with music by John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, rocked listeners long after the film left the theatres.

So, join me "On the Dark Side" and check out my full review of the album here.

Tommy Tutone - National Emotion

This week (September 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of National Emotion, the third album from Tommy Tutone. After their previous 1981 album hit the top twenty, this one stalled at number 179 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Dokken - Breaking the Chains

This week (September 18th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Breaking the Chains, the debut album from American hard rock band Dokken. This record, which was released in Europe two years prior with different order and titles of songs, charted at number 136 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Teena Marie - Robbery

This week (September 18th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Robbery, the fifth studio album from Teena Marie and her first on the Epic records label. It peaked at number 119 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 13 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

The Wiz (soundtrack) (35th anniversary)

Today (September 18th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the release of the motion picture soundtrack for The Wiz. This 1978 blockbuster musical boasted an all-star line-up that helped the record achieve great sales.

Click here for my full review of that album.

KISS - Lick It Up

Today (September 18th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Lick It Up, the eleventh studio album from KISS. To correspond with the record’s release, the band members (Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Vinnie Vincent and Eric Carr) did a half-hour MTV interview with vee-jay J.J. Jackson without their trademark makeup.

Gary Numan - Warriors

This week (September 16th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Warriors, the seventh studio album from English new-wave composer Gary Numan. This release spent six weeks total on the UK charts, peaking at number 12.

Joining Numan on the record were Tracey Ackerman (backing vocals), Russell Bell (guitar), Joe Hubbard (bass), Dick Morrissey (saxophone), Bill Nelson (guitar and keyboards), Chris Payne (keyboards and viola), Cedric Sharpley (drums), and John Webb (keyboards).

The Motels - Little Robbers

Today (September 16th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Little Robbers, the fourth studio album from the Motels. Following their 1982 album All For One (click here for that review), this 1983 record reached number 34 in Australia and number 22 on the US Billboard Album chart.

André Cymone - Survivin’ in the 80’s

Following his 1982 debut Livin’ in the New Wave (click here for that review), André Cymone returned to the studio for his follow up. This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Survivin’ in the 80’s

Huey Lewis and the News - Sports (30th anniversary)

Happy 30th anniversary today (September 15th) to Sports, the third studio album from Huey Lewis and the News.

For my complete review of this huge-selling, chart-topping album from 1983, click here.

Terri Gibbs - Over Easy

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Over Easy, the fourth studio album from American country singer Terri Gibbs. This 1983 release, her final non-compilation one on the MCA record label, went to number 32 on the US Billboard Country Album chart.

Tavares - Words and Music

Following their 1982 release New Directions (click here for that review), Tavares returned a year later with their twelfth and final studio album. Today we will give a listen to 1983’s Words and Music, which charted at number 208 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 48 on the US Billboard R&B chart, in celebration of its thirtieth anniversary.

JoBoxers - Like Gangbusters (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Like Gangbusters, the debut album from the UK band JoBoxers.

For my full review of this 1983 release, just click here.

Saga - Heads or Tales

Today (September 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Heads or Tales, the fifth studio album from the Canadian rock band Saga. The record went to number 92 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 17 in Canada, number 4 in Norway, Sweden and Switzerland, and number 3 in Germany.

UB40 - Labour of Love

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Labour of Love, the fourth studio album from UB40. This multi-Platinum seller from 1983, featuring all cover tunes, went to number 14 on the US Billboard Album chart, and number 1 in the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it at number 98 on its list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the 80’s.

X - More Fun in the New World

Following 1982’s Under the Big Black Sun (click here for that review), the Los Angeles rock band X returned to the studio with the Doors’ Ray Manzarek once again at the production reins. The result was More Fun in the New World, the band’s fourth album. This September of 1983 release, which reached number 86 on the US Billboard Album chart, is the focus of today’s thirtieth anniversary review.

Jimmy Buffett - One Particular Harbour

Today (September 9th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of One Particular Harbour, the twelfth studio album from American singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It went to number 59 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 35 on the US Billboard Country chart.

Joe Jackson - Mike's Murder (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

After his successful 1982 release Night and Day (click here for that review), Joe Jackson was invited to contribute a track to Mike’s Murder. The film was written and directed by James Bridges and starred Debra Winger. Jackson ended up writing a number of songs and instrumental pieces.

Deciding to release all of it as an album, Mike’s Murder soundtrack came out in September of 1983. The film, however, was delayed and did not open until March of 1984. Much of Jackson’s work was replaced with a score by John Barry. Despite this disconnect, Jackson’s album reached number 64 on the US Billboard Album chart. Today we will give it a listen to celebrate its thirtieth anniversary.

The Romantics - In Heat

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of In Heat, the fourth studio album from the American rock band the Romantics. This one charted at number 33 in Sweden and number 14 on the US Billboard Album chart, their highest climbing album to date.

The line-up for the band included Coz Canler (lead guitar and vocals), Jimmy Marinos (drums and lead vocals), Wally Palmar (lead vocals, rhythm guitar and harmonica) and Mike Skill (bass, guitar and vocals). The quartet had additional assistance from Pete Solely (keyboards) and Irene Cook (vocals).

Linda Ronstadt - What's New

Today (September 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of What’s New, the twelfth studio album from Linda Ronstadt. For this outing, she decided to change things up a bit and go for a collection of standards sung in a torch style.

Teaming up with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra for backing, the album scored big (becoming a multi-Platinum seller and spending eight-one weeks on the US Billboard Album chart). It charted at number 31 in the UK, number 29 in Japan, number 21 in New Zealand, number 18 in Canada, number 11 in Australia, number 3 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 2 on the US Billboard Jazz chart. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance Female.

Was (Not Was) - Born to Laugh at Tornadoes

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Born to Laugh at Tornados, the second studio album from the pop group Was (Not Was). The band was founded by David Weiss (“David Was”) and Don Fagenson (“Don Was”), two childhood friends from Detroit. This September of 1983 release went to number 134 on the US Billboard Album chart.

Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Swordfishtrombones, the seventh studio album from American rocker Tom Waits. This September of 1983 release, the first album Waits produced himself, reached number 167 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 62 in the UK, number 48 in the Netherlands, number 45 in New Zealand and number 18 in Norway.

Spin magazine, in 1989, ranked it the second greatest album for all time. UK music magazine Q, in 2006, placed it at number 36 on its list of the 40 Best Albums of the 80’s. Pitchfork Media listed it as the 11th best album of the 1980’s while Slant Magazine listed it at number 26 on its Best Albums of the 1980’s list. Even Rolling Stone magazine’s reviewer Don Shewey gave it a four-star rating in the November 24th, 1983, issue of that periodical.

Kid Creole & the Coconuts - Doppelganger

Following their 1982 album Tropical Gangsters (click here for that review), Kid Creole and the Coconuts returned to the studio to work on their fourth record. The result was 1983’s Doppelganger which is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary this month. It charted at number 54 in Germany, number 46 in the Netherlands, number 44 in New Zealand, number 21 in the UK and number 13 in Sweden.

Sheena Easton - Best Kept Secret

Thirty years ago this month saw the release of Best Kept Secret, the fourth studio album from Scottish pop singer Sheena Easton. Recording in the United States, it was produced by Greg Mathieson who had worked previously with Laura Branigan‘s debut. The 1983 album peaked at number 99 in the UK, number 38 in Sweden, number 33 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 32 in Canada, number 5 in Norway and number 4 in Japan.

Styx - Pieces of Eight

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today we are marking the thirty-fifth anniversary of Pieces of Eight, the eighth studio album from Styx. This September of 1978 release went to number 38 in Sweden and number 6 on the US Billboard Album chart.