Simple Minds - Sparkle in the Rain

Today (February 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Sparkle in the Rain, the sixth studio album from the Scottish band Simple Minds. Following New Gold Dream from the previous year (click here for that review), this 1984 release went to number 64 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a twenty-four week stay on the chart), number 19 in Switzerland, number 17 in France, number 15 in Australia, number 2 in the Netherlands and Sweden, and number 1 in New Zealand and the UK.

Roger Daltrey - Parting Should Be Painless

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Parting Should Be Painless, the fifth solo studio album from Roger Daltrey. It stalled at number 102 on the US Billboard Album chart back in 1984.

Bee Gees - Spirits Having Flown (35th anniversary)

Today (February 5th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Spirits Having Flown, the fifteenth studio album from the Bee Gees. The 1979 album was certified Platinum in both the US and the UK. Chart-wise, it went to number 1 in Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the UK. In the US, it peaked at number 9 on the Billboard R&B charts and number 1 on the Billboard Album chart.

This is another of my favorite albums from the 1970's. Click here to read my full review.

Madness - Keep Moving

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Keep Moving, the fifth studio album from the British band Madness. It hit number 109 on the US Billboard Album chart (with eight weeks total on the chart) and number 6 in the UK. The US and Canadian version of this 1984 release swapped out two tracks for two others and rearranged the order. For today's review, I will be going with the original UK release order.

Ted Nugent - Penetrator

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Penetrator, the eighth studio album from American rocker Ted Nugent. This 1984 release peaked at number 56 on the US Billboard Album chart (with fifteen weeks on the chart total). Joining Nugent's guitars were Bad Company's Brian Howe (lead vocals), the Door's Doug Lubahn (bass), and from Billy Squier's band Alan St. Jon (keyboards) and Bobby Chouinard (drums). Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band also provided some percussion and sequencing.

The Alarm - Declaration (30th anniversary)

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Declaration, the first full-length studio album from the Alarm.

For my full review of this 1984 release, please click here.

Shannon - Let the Music Play

Today (February 1st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Let the Music Play, the debut album from free-stylist Shannon. Born Brenda Shannon Greene in Washington, D.C., she was involved with the New York Jazz Ensemble before starting her recording career. This 1984 release went to number 52 in the UK, number 50 in New Zealand, number 47 in the Netherlands, number 35 in Germany, number 32 on the US Billboard Album chart (thirty seven weeks on the chart), number 30 in Switzerland, number 29 in Canada, and number 11 on the US Billboard R&B chart (thirty two weeks on the chart).