Best 1987 1989
Released in 1987, "Substance" is a compilation album by the English rock band New Order that collects their 12-inch singles and B-sides from the early 1980s. The tracklist includes prominent singles like "Blue Monday" and "Bizarre Love Triangle," showcasing the band's transition from post-punk to el...
Why this score?
Canonical dance-rock compilation, essential versions, superb flow, enduring critical acclaim.
Scoring methodology
"Disintegration" is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Cure, released in 1989. The record represents a shift away from the pop-oriented sound of their previous releases, returning to the slow, atmospheric, and melancholic dirges of their earlier gothic rock style. Featuring densely...
Why this score?
Widely considered the Cure's masterpiece, combining exceptional reviews, strong listener ratings, major influence, and enduring emotional resonance.
Scoring methodology
The 1989 Tour de France cycling race concluded with a historic duel between American Greg LeMond and French rider Laurent Fignon. The race was ultimately decided in the final stage, an individual time trial from Versailles to Paris. LeMond used specialized aerodynamic handlebars and a helmet to gain...
Why this score?
The closest Tour finish, extraordinary final time trial and contrasting personalities created cycling's definitive single-race duel.
Scoring methodology
The 1989 boxing match between Roberto Durán and Iran Barkley was a contest for the WBC middleweight championship. Durán, a veteran moving up in weight, defeated the favored Barkley in a 12-round split decision. The bout, held on February 24, 1989, in Atlantic City, was characterized by its intense,...
Why this score?
Acclaimed Fight of the Year featuring knockdowns, dramatic exchanges, and Duran's extraordinary late-career championship upset.
Scoring methodology
MV Doña Paz was a Philippine-registered passenger ferry that sank after colliding with the Vector, a small coastal oil tanker, on December 20, 1987. The collision occurred in the Tablas Strait, igniting a massive fire that spread to both vessels. An estimated 4,375 people died in the incident, makin...
Why this score?
Deadliest peacetime maritime disaster, extreme casualty scale, major Philippine memory, and strong disaster-study reputation.
Scoring methodology
The Marshall 2555 Silver Jubilee is a 100-watt tube amplifier released in 1987. It’s recognized for its distinctive silver exterior and powerful high-gain circuit designed to commemorate Marshall's 25th anniversary. Guitarists seeking aggressive tones and classic British sound often utilize this hea...
Why this score?
Silver Jubilee 2555 is highly collectible, Slash association, distinctive lead tone; clipping design divides vintage purists.
Scoring methodology
Misery is a psychological horror novel written by Stephen King and first published by Viking in 1987. The story centers on Paul Sheldon, a bestselling romance author who is rescued from a car crash and subsequently held captive by Annie Wilkes, a deeply disturbed nurse obsessed with his literary wor...
Why this score?
Among King's most acclaimed novels, praised for claustrophobic suspense, psychological insight, disciplined construction, and the iconic Annie Wilkes.
Scoring methodology
The Montreal Protocol is a landmark multilateral environmental agreement established in 1987 by the United Nations. It addresses the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer through the phased elimination of production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances like chlorofluorocarbons. The tre...
The Nike Air Jordan 4 Retro is a classic basketball sneaker originally released in 1989. Its design incorporates a leather upper with perforations for breathability and visible Air cushioning providing impact protection. This mid-top shoe remains popular among collectors and those seeking a piece of...
Sister is the fourth studio album by American noise rock band Sonic Youth, released in June 1987 on SST Records. Recorded in New York with engineer Martin Bisi, it blends melodic structure with dissonant alternate guitar tunings and distortion, featuring tracks such as "Schizophrenia" and "Tuff Gnar...
Why this score?
Critically revered balance of noise, melody, and concise songwriting, with strong listener ratings and substantial influence on alternative rock.
Scoring methodology
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Marvelous Marvin Hagler was a professional boxing match held on April 6, 1987, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for the WBC and lineal middleweight championships. Leonard, a former welterweight champion, came out of a three-year retirement to challenge Hagler, who had defended th...
Why this score?
Fascinating elite chess match and historic comeback, elevated by enduring debate but diminished by disputed scoring and selective exchanges.
Scoring methodology
The Marshall 2550 Silver Jubilee is a 50-watt tube amplifier released in 1987. It’s recognized for its distinctive silver finish and innovative “anniversary circuit,” offering a slightly warmer tone than the higher-powered 2555 head. Commonly used by guitarists seeking a versatile British sound acro...
Why this score?
50 watt Jubilee retains famed circuit with more manageable power; slightly less commanding and collectible than 2555.
Scoring methodology
Terrorizer’s “World Downfall” (1989) represents a foundational moment in extreme music. This California-based debut album blends elements of grindcore and death metal, establishing a punishing sound that profoundly impacted the development of both genres. The record's intensity and aggressive delive...
Strangeways, Here We Come is the fourth and final studio album by the English rock band The Smiths, released by Rough Trade Records in September 1987. Produced by the band with Stephen Street, the album features twelve tracks including "Girlfriend in a Coma" and "Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Lo...
Why this score?
Acclaimed final album featuring sophisticated arrangements and strong songwriting, though slightly less iconic than the band's consensus peak.
Scoring methodology
Tango in the Night is Fleetwood Mac's fourteenth studio album, released in 1987. Produced by the band with Richard Dashut, it combines polished pop-rock production with layered guitars, keyboards, and vocal harmonies. The album includes Big Love, Little Lies, Everywhere, and Seven Wonders, and it wa...
Why this score?
Major commercial success, numerous enduring singles, polished production, strong retrospective reviews, and lasting cultural presence overcome some stylistic excess and internal fragmentation.
Scoring methodology
Storyteller: The Complete Anthology 1964-1990 is a multi-disc box set by British singer Rod Stewart, released in 1989. Its sixty-five tracks survey roughly the first two decades of his recording career, including material from his solo catalog and recordings connected with the Faces. The collection...
Why this score?
Comprehensive, well-annotated anthology balancing Faces, solo classics, and worthwhile rarities.
Scoring methodology
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a landmark international treaty adopted by the United Nations in 1989. It establishes fundamental human rights for every child worldwide. This document outlines civil, political, economic, social, and cultural entitlements ensuring protection and well-bei...
Bolt Thrower’s Realm of Chaos is a seminal 1989 death metal album from Coventry, England. It's notable for its bleak atmosphere and relentlessly slow, crushing rhythms characteristic of early UK death metal. The album established the band’s signature sound—heavy on doom influences and inspired by Wa...
The Guild of Thieves is a 1987 interactive-fiction game created by Magnetic Scrolls. It places the player in a fantasy setting where progress depends on examining locations, manipulating objects, solving burglary-related problems, and entering commands through a natural-language text parser. The gam...
Why this score?
Magnetic Scrolls classic acclaimed for atmosphere, parser sophistication, visuals, and elaborate puzzles; notorious difficulty and occasional unfairness remain drawbacks.
Scoring methodology
Kiki, a 13-year-old witch-in-training, must spend a year living on her own in a distant town in order to become a full-fledged witch. Leaving her family and friends, Kiki undertakes this tradition when she flies out into the open world atop her broomstick with her black cat Jiji. As she settles down...
Eric B. & Rakim’s “Paid in Full” (1987) established a cornerstone of East Coast hip-hop. This album's innovative production and Rakim’s distinctive flow profoundly shaped subsequent generations of rappers. It remains critically acclaimed and is essential listening for anyone interested in the evolut...
Morbid Angel’s *Altars of Madness* represents a foundational work in Florida’s early death metal scene. Released in 1989, this debut album established the band's signature complex arrangements and technical proficiency. It is notable for its influence on subsequent extreme metal bands and remains es...
Depeche Mode: 101 documents the band’s 1988 Music for the Masses concert tour, filmed by D.A. Pennebaker. The film captures a pivotal moment in synth-pop history showcasing Depeche Mode's performance style and stage presence. It is particularly valuable for fans of electronic music and those interes...
Paul’s Boutique represents a pivotal moment in hip hop history. Released in 1989, this album showcased innovative sampling techniques pioneered by the Beastie Boys and producer The Dust Brothers. Its complex, layered soundscape—built almost entirely from pre-existing recordings—established new stand...
Pestilence’s Consuming Impulse is a pivotal 1989 album representing an influential wave of Dutch death metal. The record's complex arrangements and intense instrumentation established Pestilence as key figures in the genre’s early development. It remains notable for its technical proficiency and con...
Autopsy’s Severed Survival (1989) is a foundational death metal album from California. The record showcases intensely heavy music blending extreme brutality with the deliberate pacing of doom. It's notable for its significant influence on the genre’s development and remains a key reference point for...
Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard was a highly anticipated middleweight championship boxing match held on April 6, 1987, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. After a three-year retirement, Leonard challenged the undisputed middleweight champion Hagler, moving up in weight class. The bout went the full...
Why this score?
Huge event and tactical debate, historically essential, but controversial scoring divides consensus on fight quality.
Scoring methodology
Sign ‘O’ the Times is a 1987 concert film documenting Prince's intensely energetic performance at Nassau Coliseum. It showcases his masterful musicianship and innovative stagecraft during a pivotal moment in his career. The recording offers fans a direct experience of this legendary show, particular...
Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me is the seventh studio album by the English band The Cure, released in 1987 on Fiction Records. The 18-track double album demonstrated a broad stylistic range, from accessible pop songs to extended atmospheric and psychedelic tracks. It produced several singles, including "Jus...
Why this score?
Highly acclaimed, commercially successful, and rich in standout songs, though its double-album sprawl draws criticism.
Scoring methodology
John Adams’ “Nixon in China” is a contemporary opera exploring the complex political relationship between the United States and China. The work premiered in 1987 and utilizes minimalist musical techniques to depict Richard Nixon's groundbreaking 1972 visit. It is notable for its innovative approach...
