XTC - Skylarking (1986)

It's the 80s! Let's do a lot of coke and vote for Ronald Reagan!

Beastie Boys - License To Ill (1986)

Not looking forward to listening to more Beastie Boys music, although I suppose it's possible in 1984 they hadn't yet developed into the sample monster they were on Paul's Boutique.

Metallica - Master Of Puppets (1986)

The next album on my list was supposed to be Metallica's S&M. When I read that album was actually a live album played with a full orchestral backing I decided to make a change. Heavy metal music can be completely altered with a large orchestra acting in support. The results are occasionally beautiful. I'm concerned that hearing Metallica's music reworked in such a way will taint my opinion of how they originally intended the songs to be heard in their studio album form. So I've pushed S&M back and will start with the oldest Metallica album on my list, their third album as a band, Master Of Puppets.

The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)

Megadeth - Peace Sells, But Who's Buying? (1986)

Big Black - Atomizer (1986)

(originally posted to Facebook)