In June of 1984 Prince released his 6th studio album.

This time around The Revolution not only got credit on the album but actually played their instruments.

It is the most commercially successful record he would ever make, spawning five singles and selling over 25,000,000 copies worldwide.

Let’s talk Prince, Purple Rain!

In January of 1984 Van Halen released their 6th studio album.

Though some in the band disagreed, Eddie Van Halen’s decision to throw off the shackles of pure guitar rock and embrace the synthesizer as a lead instrument proved to be both a bold and wise move, as it would get them to the top of the Billboard Singles Charts and eventually go on to sell over ten million copies.

Though it would be their last with Diamond Dave on vocals, it would prove to be the best output they would ever produce.

Let’s talk Van Halen, 1984!

In April of 1983 Minor Threat released their only studio album.

Clocking in just north of twenty one minutes over the course of nine tracks, the album is a blisteringly fast DC hardcore assault with some surprising pop hooks peppered in.

It is single-handedly responsibly for the straight edge movement, which in turn makes it responsible for that time I (Rob) got kicked in the head for smoking a cigarette at an Avail show fourteen years post the record’s release (A story I would have told had I been on this episode).

Let’s talk Minor Threat, Out of Step!

In November of 1984 Cocteau Twins released their 3rd studio album.

Recorded in August and September of the same year, the record is a departure from their post punk roots and is one of the finest dream pop records ever pressed to wax.

Let’s talk Cocteau Twins, Treasure!

In July of 1984 Sade released their debut album.

Recorded over six weeks at Power Plant Studios with Robin Millar helming the board, the record would go on to spawn four singles, win Best British Album at the Brit Awards, and sell over ten million copies, making it the best selling album by a British female vocalist for twenty four years.

Let’s talk Sade, Diamond Life!

In March of 1984 Run DMC released their debut album.

Breaking down the genre to it’s bare bones, the group opted to keep the beats tighter and rhymes harder than anyone had done yet.

The results? The first rap album to hit gold status, the creation of the rap/rock genre, and the opening salvo of hip hop’s rise to cultural dominance.

Let’s talk Run DMC, Run DMC!

In October of 1984 Frankie Goes to Hollywood released their debut studio album.

Spanning four sides, and with producer Trevor Horn flexing complete control over the final product, the album is a testament to 80s excess.

Let’s talk Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Welcome to The Pleasure Dome!

In October of 1983 Culture Club released their second studio album.

Preceded by their smash hit Karma Chameleon, the record would go on to sell over ten million copies worldwide and became a touchstone of 80s pop music.

Let’s talk Culture Club, Colour by Numbers!

In April of 1984 Meat Puppets released their second studio album.

Gone are the hardcore roots of the band, opting to embrace their love of psych, country, and just a touch of thrash.

The results? One of the finest recording of the 1980s and another feather in the cap of SST.

Let’s talk Meat Puppets, Meat Puppets II!

In June of 1983 The Police released their 5th and final studio album.

Recorded in just six weeks at Air Studios, the band recorded live in three separate rooms (“for social reasons”).

It would go on to be a worldwide smash hit and the final nail in their proverbial coffin.

Let’s talk The Police, Synchronicity!