Such a strange and contradictory year. Mixed fortunes complemented perfectly by a bizarre range of listening choices. A disc for every mood, and every memory.

Before giving a run-down on my albums of the year, just a few brief notes. This was the year of the 12-inch single, and they came no better than Rufus’ ‘Ain’t Nobody’, Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ and Simple Minds’ ‘Up On The Catwalk’ – despite what Frankie say! On the video front, Ian Hunter’s ‘All Of The Good Ones’ (nominated for an MTV award) and The Psychedelic Furs’’Heaven’ showed a style and class that lifted them above the mediocre and monotonous assembly-line of pop videos – ZZ Top excluded, of course! On the Irish scene In Tua Nua, Light A Big Fire, and Corkonians Max Von Rap caught the ear favourably, while 1985 should see the blossoming of two particularly exciting and determined bands: Primal Scream and Winter’s Reign. Gig of the year undoubtedly goes to the Queensryche/Dio bash at the S.F.X. Billy Bragg’s performance at the T.V. Club will also stay in pleasurable memory as will David Essex at the Stadium.

Meanwhile here’s my vinyl honours roll beginning with an honourable reissue:

The The: ‘Soul Mining’: thundercus percussion and mind blowing lyrics. An all-time masterpiece of vinyl.

Romeo Void: ‘Instincts’: the saxiest saxophone anywhere! Check ‘A Girl In Trouble’.

Queensryche: ‘The Warning’: Impeccable Experimental!

The Cure: ‘The Top’: Robert Smith is the world’s greatest depressed young poser, but we love him and it’s a mammoth album.

The Lord Of The New Church: ‘The Method To Our Madness’: In a word: sex!

Billy Idol: ‘Rebel Yell’: first I though ‘oh dear’, then ‘okay’, now ‘amazing’. Steve Stevens’ guitar is a highlight of the year in itself.

Steve Perry: ‘Street Talk’: candlelight and wine. The stance of the dance is entirely your own affair!

Hanoi Rocks: ‘Two Steps From The Move’: for the music of Andy McCoy, the lyrics of Ian Hunter, and the looks of Mike Monroe!

Elkie Brooks: ‘Minutes’ don’t laugh if you haven’t heard it at least twice. Elkie in transition! what a band!

Scorpions: ‘Love At First Sting’: for metal ballads and crunching riffs par excellence. The cover is tasty too!

Quick flashes: Aztec Camera’s magnificent version of ‘Jump’, our own Robbie Jones’ photographic escapades, the Summer Heatwave, U2’s ‘Pride’, Madonna, and … we’ll leave it there.