1980

Joy Division
Closer
(Factory)

This was essentially a decision between 5 albums. Killing Joke’s self-titled debut is great but I prefer Coleman’s melodic mid-to-late-80s records.

Echo & the Bunnymen’s Crocodiles is another good choice, but again, I prefer their Killing Moon era (also, I like the 2003 rerelease of this album with the live version of “Zimbo”, which reminds me: is there ANY studio version of that song in existence? Because I surely haven’t been able to find one.

I have never really gotten into Talking Heads’ Remain In Light as much as I probably should, though this is probably what most people would pick.

And then there’s The Cure’s Boys Don’t Cry, which came VERY close to being my choice (“Boys Don’t Cry”, “Jumping Someone Else’s Train”, “10:15 Saturday Night” — all such amazing songs).

But ultimately, I have to go with Joy Division, if not for “Decades” alone. I don’t listen to this album in its entirety that often, but when it fits the mood, it’s pretty damn amazing.