Critics Roundup 1988

Shock horror! No elvis Costello album! … In certain circles 1988 will be best remembered for the King’s lack of vinyl. His soundtrack for ‘The Courier’ was all well and good and ‘Out Of Our Idiot’ filled in a few of this particular household …

R.E.M. did however release ‘Green’ so they, seemingly automatically at this stage receive 1988’s top award for this continually beguiling collection. They are, without a doubt the ’80s most consistently brilliant band …Both Voice Of The Beehive and The Wonder Stuff brought a bit of pop sparkle into the charts with some unashamedly kitschy records. Nanci Griffith, Randy Travis and The Judds, clean and pure as they are, were the county stars that shone the brightest. Steve Earle moved from his country routes and produced a Springsteenesque blinder in ‘Copperhead Road’. Honourable mentions also to The Sugarcubes, Mary Margaret O’Hara and T-Bone Burnett for notable contributions … At home 1988 was the year pop went tabloid as the Irish media recognised that pop sells. Also it was the moment when the class of 1987 became ’88 debutantes. While all releases were commendable in their own ways, perhaps only ‘Speak Slowly’ from The Stars Of Heaven will endure. The Stunning’s ‘Half Past Two’ and Cypress, Mine!’s ‘Super Beet God’ were the best local offerings in an otherwise unsatisfying year for new talent. Nothing new, imaginative or inventive came to the fore. A case of A&R gratification perhaps?… On the live front, for me the special moments in 1988 were Nanci Griffith in Glasgow, Something Happens! on the Liffey and the fantastic Joe Ely in Bad Bob’s on a night when one’s faith in old fashioned rock’n’roll was well and truly restored. Oh, by the by, 29th September was my favourite day! But you probably know that already!!