Critics' Choice 1988

1. REM Green [Warner Brothers]
If Document gave REM possession of the ball, Green was where they ran with it. An album that was at once deeply experimental but unafraid of its own muscle, the first fruit of their Warners deal veered between obtuse forest folk (‘You Are The Everything’, ‘Hairshirt’, the Christopher Nolan inspired ‘The Wrong Child’), paranoiac end times visions (‘I Remember California’, ‘World Leader Pretend’) and pure piss and vinegar (‘I Could Turn You Inside Out’, ‘Orange Crush’).
2. U2 – Rattle And Hum [Island]
3. Something Happens! – Been There, Seen That, Done That [Virgin]
4. Van Morrison/Chieftains – Irish Heartbeat [Mercury]
5. Prefab Sprout – From Langley Park To Memphis [Kitchenware/CBS]