Albums of 1989
The records from 1989 that made our lists.
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1PumpAerosmith
Pump
A polished, hit-stuffed comeback peak. Tuneful and huge. A commercial high.
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2Paul's BoutiqueBeastie Boys
Paul's Boutique
A dense, sample-collage masterpiece that flopped then became revered. Dazzling and layered. A production landmark.
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3Nick of TimeBonnie Raitt
Nick of Time
A warm, mature comeback that swept the Grammys. Soulful and acclaimed. Her commercial peak.
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43 Feet High and RisingDe La Soul
3 Feet High and Rising
A playful, sample-dense debut that opened hip-hop to whimsy, psychedelia and the everyday. Its 'D.A.I.S.Y. Age' optimism was a genuine left turn. Joyful and groundbreaking.
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5Rhythm Nation 1814Janet Jackson
Rhythm Nation 1814
An ambitious, socially conscious pop-funk blockbuster of immaculate production. Tight and influential. Her peak.
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6The HealerJohn Lee Hooker
The Healer
A Grammy-winning late-career comeback pairing Hooker's boogie with star guests. Warm and accessible. A modern blues landmark.
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7Like a PrayerMadonna
Like a Prayer
Madonna's most ambitious and personal record, mixing pop, gospel and rock with real songwriting depth. The title track is a high point. The album that earned her critical respect.
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8Altars of MadnessMorbid Angel
Altars of Madness
A foundational death-metal landmark of speed and technicality. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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9TechniqueNew Order
Technique
A bright, Ibiza-influenced dance-rock peak. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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10Pretty Hate MachineNine Inch Nails
Pretty Hate Machine
A catchy, industrial-pop debut, home to 'Head Like a Hole'. Bold and influential. A breakthrough.
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11DoolittlePixies
Doolittle
The quiet-loud-quiet template that Nirvana and countless others borrowed, packed with surreal lyrics and razor hooks. Tight, strange and hugely influential. The essential Pixies record.
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12Beneath the RemainsSepultura
Beneath the Remains
A ferocious, precise thrash peak that put Brazilian metal on the map. Relentless and acclaimed. A genre classic.
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13In StepStevie Ray Vaughan
In Step
A polished, Grammy-winning late peak of clean-living blues fire. Sharp and acclaimed. A high point.
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14Practice What You PreachTestament
Practice What You Preach
A polished, melodic Bay Area thrash peak. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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15DisintegrationThe Cure
Disintegration
A vast, immersive plunge into gothic gloom and beauty, anchored by 'Pictures of You' and 'Lovesong'. Widely considered the band's masterpiece. Best experienced as one long, enveloping mood.
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16The Stone RosesThe Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
A debut that fused indie jangle with dancefloor groove and defined Madchester. Effortlessly cool. One of the great British albums.
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17Full Moon FeverTom Petty
Full Moon Fever
A breezy, hook-laden solo record of perfect radio rock, from 'Free Fallin'' on. Warm and effortless. His most beloved album.