Robert Christgau: Consumer Guide Index by Release Year: 1984

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Consumer Guide Index by Release Year: 1984

Listing for 322 records from 1984 (selected by release date), sorted by grade.

A+	The Replacements: *Let It Be* [Twin/Tone] Bruce Springsteen: *Born in the USA* [Columbia]
A	King Sunny Ade and His African Beats: *Aura* [Island] John Anderson: *Greatest Hits* [Warner Bros.] Laurie Anderson: *United States Live* [Warner Bros.] Black Uhuru: *Anthem* [Island] Linton Kwesi Johnson: *Making History* [Island] John Lennon/Yoko Ono: *Milk and Honey* [Polydor] Arto Lindsay/Ambitious Lovers: *Envy* [Editions EG] Los Lobos: *How Will the Wolf Survive?* [Slash] Thomas Mapfumo: *Ndangariro* [Carthage] Bob Marley & the Wailers: *Legend* [Island] Parliament: *Greatest Hits: P. Funk, Uncut Funk, the Bomb* [Casablanca] Persian Gulf: *Changing the Weather* [Raven EP] Ma Rainey: *Ma Rainey's Black Bottom* [Yazoo] Ramones: *Too Tough to Die* [Sire] Lou Reed: *New Sensations* [RCA Victor] Sonny Rollins: *Sunny Days, Starry Nights* [Milestone] The Spaniels: *16 Soulful Serenades* [Solid Smoke] Muddy Waters: *Rare and Unissued* [Chess] Wire: *And Here It Is . . . Again . . . Wire* [Sneaky Pete]
A-	Laurie Anderson: *Mister Heartbreak* [Warner Bros.] The Bangles: *All Over the Place* [Columbia] Big Black: *Racer-X* [Homestead EP] Birdsongs of the Mesozoic: *Magnetic Flip* [Ace of Hearts] Rubén Blades y Seis del Solar: *Buscando America* [Elektra] Blind Blake: *Ragtime Guitar's Foremost Fingerpicker* [Yazoo] Blow-Up: *Easy Knowledge* [Polar] Gary U.S. Bonds: *The Best of Gary "U.S." Bonds* [MCA] Julie Brown: *Goddess in Progress* [Rhino EP] Harold Budd/Brian Eno: *The Pearl* [Editions EG] Burning Spear: *Reggae Greats: Burning Spear* [Mango] Jerry Butler: *Only the Strong Survive: The Legendary Philadelphia Hits* [Mercury] Joe "King" Carrasco & the Crowns: *Bordertown* [Big Beat] Conjure: *Conjure* [American Clavé] John Conlee: *Greatest Hits* [MCA] The dB's: *Like This* [Bearsville] Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition: *Album Album* [ECM] The Del-Lords: *Frontier Days* [EMI America] Anna Domino: *East and West* [Les Disques du Crépuscle] Dumptruck: *D Is for Dumptruck* [Incas] The Embarrassment: *Retrospective* [Fresh Sounds] Fat Boys: *Fat Boys* [Sutra] Ferron: *Shadows on a Dime* [Lucy] The Go-Go's: *Talk Show* [I.R.S.] Half Japanese: *Sing No Evil* [Iridescence] Herbie Hancock: *Sound-System* [Columbia] Hüsker Dü: *Zen Arcade* [SST] Jason & the Scorchers: *Fervor* [EMI America EP] Blind Lemon Jefferson: *King of the Country Blues* [Yazoo] David Johansen: *Sweet Revenge* [Passport] The Judds: *Wynonna and Naomi* [RCA Victor EP] Ladysmith Black Mambazo: *Induku Zethu* [Shanachie] Les Ambassadeurs: *Les Ambassadeurs* [Rounder] Meat Puppets: *Meat Puppets II* [SST] Minutemen: *Double Nickels on the Dime* [SST] Motorhead: *No Remorse* [Bronze] David Murray: *Morning Song* [Black Saint] The Neville Brothers: *Neville-ization* [Black Top] Teddy Pendergrass: *Greatest Hits* [Philadelphia International] Iggy Pop: *Choice Cuts* [RCA Victor] Pretenders: *Learning to Crawl* [Sire] Prince and the Revolution: *Purple Rain* [Paisley Park] Robert Quine/Fred Maher: *Basic* [Editions EG] Rank and File: *Long Gone Dead* [Slash] The Reducers: *Let's Go!* [Rave On] The Rolling Stones: *Rewind (1971-1984)* [Rolling Stones] Run-D.M.C.: *Run-D.M.C.* [Profile] Gil Scott-Heron: *The Best of Gil Scott-Heron* [Arista] The Shangri-Las: *Golden Hits of the Shangri-Las* [Mercury] Carl Smith: *Columbia Historic Edition* [Columbia] Sparrow: *King of the World* [B's] Steel Pulse: *Reggae Greats: Steel Pulse* [Mango] Floyd Tillman: *Columbia Historic Edition* [Columbia] Toots and the Maytals: *Reggae Greats: Toots and the Maytals* [Mango] Tina Turner: *Private Dancer* [Capitol] UB40: *Geffery Morgan* [A&M] Tom Verlaine: *Cover* [Warner Bros.] Robert Wyatt: *1982-1984* [Rough Trade] XTC: *Waxworks: Some Singles 1977-1982* [Geffen] *That's the Way I Feel Now: A Tribute to Thelonious Monk* [A&M]
B+	African Connexion: *African Connexion* [Oval EP] John Anderson: *Eye of a Hurricane* [Warner Bros.] Ashford & Simpson: *Solid* [Capitol] Aztec Camera: *Knife* [Sire] Philip Bailey: *Chinese Wall* [Columbia] Marcia Ball: *Soulful Dress* [Rounder] The Beastie Boys: *Rock Hard/Party's Gettin' Rough/Beastie Groove/Instrumental* [Def Jam EP] Francis Bebey: *Akwaaba* [Original Music] Brook Benton: *It's Just a Matter of Time: His Greatest Hits* [Mercury] Big Brother and the Holding Company: *Cheaper Thrills* [Made to Last] Big Youth: *Live at Reggae Sunsplash* [Sunsplash] Black Stalin: *You Ask for It* [Kalico] Duke Bootee: *Bust Me Out* [Mercury] Harold Budd: *Abandoned Cities* [Cantril] Solomon Burke: *Soul Alive!* [Rounder] J.J. Cale: *Special Edition* [Mercury] Don Carlos: *Just a Passing Change* [RAS] The Cars: *Heartbeat City* [Elektra] Gene Chandler: *Stroll on With the Duke* [Solid Smoke] Elvis Costello and the Attractions: *Goodbye Cruel World* [Columbia] The Cramps: *Bad Music for Bad People* [I.R.S.] Bobby Day: *The Best of Bobby Day* [Rhino] The Diamonds: *Best of the Diamonds* [Rhino] Ian Dury and the Music Students: *4000 Weeks Holiday* [Polydor] Sheila E.: *In the Glamorous Life* [Warner Bros.] Eek-A-Mouse: *Mouseketeer* [Greensleeves] Erasmus Hall: *Gohead* [Capitol] Fiends: *We've Come for Your Beer* [Bemisbrain] Gap Band: *Gap Gold: Best of the Gap Band* [Total Experience] Scott Goddard: *Your Fool* [Enigma EP] Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five: *Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five* [Sugar Hill] Great Plains: *Born in a Barn* [Homestead] The John Herald Band: *The Real Thing* [Rooster] Hi-Life International: *Music to Wake the Dead!* [Rounder] Hoodoo Gurus: *Stoneage Romeos* [A&M] J.B. Hutto & the New Hawks: *Slippin' and Slidin'* [Varrick] Inti-Illimani: *Palimpsesto* [Redwood] Ism: *Constantinople* [Broken Box EP] The Jacksons: *Victory* [Epic] Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: *Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth* [MCA] Tommy Keene: *Places That Are Gone* [Dolphin EP] Fela Anikulapo Kuti: *Original Sufferhead* [Capitol] David Lasley: *Raindance* [EMI America] LeRoi Brothers: *Forget About the Danger Think of the Fun* [Columbia EP] The Long Ryders: *Native Sons* [Frontier] Nick Lowe: *Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit* [Columbia] Mandingo: *Watto Sitta* [Celluloid] Hugh Masekela: *Techno Bush* [Jive Afrika] Reba McEntire: *My Kind of Country* [MCA] Malcolm McLaren: *Fans* [Island] Christine McVie: *Christine McVie* [Warner Bros.] The Meditations: *Greatest Hits* [Shanachie] The Miracle Legion: *The Backyard* [Incas EP] Bill Morrissey: *Bill Morrissey* [Reckless] Pablo Moses: *Reggae Greats* [Mango] New Edition: *New Edition* [MCA] The Nomads: *Outburst* [What Goes On] Nyboma: *Doublé Doublé* [Rounder] Sonny Okosuns: *Liberation* [Shanachie] Sonny Okosuns: *Which Way Nigeria?* [Jive Afrika] 100 Flowers: *Drawing Fire* [Happy Squid EP] Van Dyke Parks: *Jump!* [Warner Bros.] Penguin Cafe Orchestra: *Broadcasting From Home* [Editions EG] The Pogues: *Red Roses for Me* [Stiff] The Pointer Sisters: *Break Out* [Planet] John Prine: *Aimless Love* [Oh Boy] The Psychedelic Furs: *Mirror Moves* [Columbia] Redd Kross: *Teen Babes from Monsanto* [Gasatanka EP] The Reducers: *The Reducers* [Rave On] Lou Reed: *Live in Italy* [RCA] R.E.M.: *Reckoning* [I.R.S.] Margaret Roadknight: *Living in the Land of Oz* [Redwood] Smokey Robinson: *Essar* [Tamla] Tom Robinson: *Hope and Glory* [Geffen] Tabu Ley Rochereau: *Tabu Ley* [Shanachie] Son Seals: *Bad Axe* [Alligator] Shanghai Dog: *Clanging Bell* [SDEP EP] Davitt Sigerson: *Falling in Love Again* [Island] Skeleton Crew: *Learn to Talk* [Rift] Chris Smither: *It Ain't Easy* [Adelphi] The Special AKA: *In the Studio* [Chrysalis] Dusty Springfield: *Dusty Springfield's Greatest Hits* [Mercury] Steel Pulse: *Earth Crisis* [Elektra] George Strait: *Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind* [MCA] The Sweet: *Sweet 16: It's It's . . . Sweet's Hits* [Angram] Talking Heads: *Stop Making Sense* [Sire] The Three Johns: *Atom Drum Bop* [Abstract] The Time: *Ice Cream Castle* [Warner Bros.] Tracey Ullman: *You Broke My Heart in 17 Places* [MCA] James Blood Ulmer: *Part Time* [Rough Trade] U2: *The Unforgettable Fire* [Island] Van Halen: *1984* [Warner Bros.] Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: *Couldn't Stand the Weather* [Epic] The Vels: *Velocity* [Mercury] The Weather Girls: *Success* [Columbia] Barrence Whitfield and the Savages: *Barrence Whitfield and the Savages* [Mamou] Whodini: *Escape* [Jive] Jackie Wilson: *The Soul Years* [Kent] Pat Wilson: *Bop Girl* [Warner Bros. EP] The Wind: *Guest of the Staphs* [Cheft EP] Peter Wolf: *Lights Out* [EMI America] Paul Young: *No Parlez* [Columbia] *The Gospel at Colonus* [Warner Bros.] *Reggae Greats: Strictly for Lovers* [Mango] *Repo Man* [San Andreas] *Spinal Tap* [Polydor] *The Woman in Red* [Motown]
B	Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame: *Positive Power* [Atlantic] Art of Noise: *(Who's Afraid of?) The Art of Noise* [Island] The Butthole Surfers: *Live Pcppep* [Alternative Tentacles EP] Joe "King" Carrasco & the Crowns: *Tales From the Crypt* [ROIR] The Church: *Remote Luxury* [Warner Bros.] Bruce Cockburn: *Stealing Fire* [Gold Mountain] Culture Club: *Waking Up With the House on Fire* [Epic] The Charlie Daniels Band: *A Decade of Hits* [Epic] The Del Fuegos: *The Longest Day* [Slash] The Dirty Dozen Brass Band: *My Feet Can't Fail Me Now* [George Wein Collection] Bob Dylan: *Real Live* [Columbia] Eek-a-Mouse/Michigan & Smiley: *Live at Reggae Sunsplash* [Sunsplash] Eurythmics: *Touch* [RCA Victor] Flipper: *Gone Fishin'* [Subterranean] Force M.D.'s: *Love Letters* [Tommy Boy] Steve Goodman: *Santa Ana Winds* [Red Pajamas] Half Japanese: *Our Solar System* [Iridescence] Daryl Hall & John Oates: *Big Bam Boom* [RCA Victor] Don Henley: *Building the Perfect Beast* [Geffen] Michael Hurley: *Blue Navigator* [Rooster] Linton Kwesi Johnson: *Reggae Greats: Linton Kwesi Johnson* [Mango] George Jones: *You've Still Got a Place in My Heart* [Epic] The Judds: *Why Not Me?* [RCA Victor] Si Kahn: *Unfinished Portraits* [Flying Fish] Lenny Kaye Connection: *I've Got a Right* [Giorno Poetry Systems] Gladys Knight & the Pips: *Visions* [Columbia] Fela Ransome-Kuti & the Africa 70: *Greatest Hits* [EMI] The Leaving Trains: *Well Down Blue Highway* [Enigma] The Lyres: *On Fyre* [Ace of Hearts] Madonna: *Like a Virgin* [Sire] Teena Marie: *Starchild* [Epic] Mel McDaniel With Oklahoma Wind: *Mel McDaniel With Oklahoma Wind* [Capitol] The Nobodys: *No Guarantees* [Capitol] Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark: *Junk Culture* [A&M] Fenton Robinson: *Nightflight* [Alligator] Fred Schneider & the Shake Society: *Fred Schneider & the Shake Society* [Warner Bros.] Shannon: *Let the Music Play* [Mirage] Ricky Skaggs: *Country Boy* [Epic] Staple Singers: *Turning Point* [Private I] Donna Summer: *Cats Without Claws* [Geffen] Richard Thompson: *Small Town Romance* [Hannibal] True West: *Drifters* [PVC] Bibi Den's Tshibaya: *"The Best" Ambiance* [Rounder] Wham!: *Make It Big* [Columbia] White Animals: *Ecstasy* [Dread Beat] XTC: *The Big Express* [Geffen] *Beat Street* [Atlantic] *Beat Street Volume 2* [Atlantic] *Every Man Has a Woman* [Polydor]
B-	Apollonia 6: *Apollonia 6* [Warner Bros.] Bananarama: *Bananarama* [London] Black Flag: *My War* [SST] Kurtis Blow: *Ego Trip* [Mercury] Billy Bragg: *Brewing Up With Billy Bragg* [CD] The Dream Syndicate: *Medicine Show* [A&M] Elbow Bones and the Racketeers: *New York at Dawn* [EMI America] The Everly Brothers: *Reunion Concert* [Passport] The J. Geils Band: *You're Gettin' Even While I'm Gettin' Odd* [EMI America] General Public: *All the Rage* [I.R.S.] Merle Haggard: *His Epic Hits--The First Eleven--To Be Continued . . .* [Epic] Bonnie Hayes and the Wild Combo: *Brave New Girl* [Bondage EP] The Honeydrippers: *Volume One* [Es Paranza EP] Jermaine Jackson: *Jermaine Jackson* [Arista] Joe Jackson: *Body and Soul* [A&M] Millie Jackson: *E.S.P.* [Spring] George Jones: *By Request* [Epic] Rickie Lee Jones: *The Magazine* [Warner Bros.] King Crimson: *Three of a Perfect Pair* [Warner Bros.] Kool and the Gang: *Emergency* [De-Lite] Fela Anikulapo-Kuti & Egypt 80: *Live in Amsterdam* [Capitol] Bobby McFerrin: *The Voice* [Musician] Minutemen: *The Politics of Time* [New Alliance] Junie Morrison: *Evacuate Your Seats* [Island] Mutabaruka: *Outcry* [Shanachie] Ray Parker Jr.: *Chartbusters* [Arista] Red Hot Chili Peppers: *The Red Hot Chili Peppers* [EMI America] Shango: *Shango Funk Theology* [Celluloid] The Smiths: *The Smiths* [Sire] 10,000 Maniacs: *Secrets of the I Ching* [Christian Burial] The Textones: *Midnight Mission* [Gold Mountain] The Thompson Twins: *Into the Gap* [Arista] *Breakin'* [Polydor]
C+	The Alarm: *Declaration* [I.R.S.] Aswad: *Live and Direct* [Mango] Black Flag: *Slip It In* [SST] Bronski Beat: *The Age of Consent* [MCA] Chops: *Chops* [Atlantic] Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band: *Calling All Beatniks!* [Passport] Duran Duran: *Seven and the Ragged Tiger* [Capitol] Joe Ely: *Hi-Res* [MCA] The Everly Brothers: *EB 84* [Mercury] Explainer: *The Awakening* [B's] Eddy Grant: *Going for Broke* [Portrait] Hanoi Rocks: *Back to Mystery City* [PVC] Nona Hendryx: *The Art of Defense* [RCA Victor] Icicle Works: *Icicle Works* [Arista] Imagination: *New Dimension* [Elektra] Indeep: *Pajama Party Time* [Becket] Chaka Khan: *I Feel for You* [Warner Bros.] Laid Back: *Keep Smiling* [Sire] Let's Active: *Cypress* [I.R.S.] Little Steven: *Voice of America* [EMI America] Bill Nelson: *Vistamix* [Portrait] New York Dolls: *Red Patent Leather* [Fan Club] Laura Nyro: *Mother's Spiritual* [Columbia] Billy Ocean: *Suddenly* [Jive] Public Image Ltd.: *This Is What You Want . . . This Is What You Get* [Elektra] The Rain Parade: *Emergency Third Rail Power Trip* [Enigma] The Rolling Stones: *Undercover* [Rolling Stones] Sakhile: *Sakhile* [Arista/Jive-Afrika] The System: *X-Periment* [Mirage] Violent Femmes: *Hallowed Ground* [Slash] Weird Al Yankovic: *In 3-D* [Rock 'n' Roll] *Desperate Teenage Lovedolls* [Gasatanka]
C	David Bowie: *Tonight* [EMI America] Devo: *Shout* [Warner Bros.] Frankie Goes to Hollywood: *Welcome to the Pleasure Dome* [Island] Glenn Frey: *The Allnighter* [MCA] Whitney Houston: *Whitney Houston* [Arista] Human League: *Hysteria* [A&M] Billy Idol: *Rebel Yell* [Chrysalis] Julian Lennon: *Valotte* [Atlantic] Rockwell: *Somebody's Watching Me* [Motown] Rubber Rodeo: *Scenic Views* [Mercury] Scandal Featuring Patty Smyth: *Warrior* [Columbia] *Footloose* [Columbia]
C-	Chequered Past: *Chequered Past* [EMI] Howard Jones: *Human's Lib* [Elektra] Grace Slick: *Software* [RCA Victor] Vanity: *Wild Animal* [Motown]
D+	Hagar, Schon, Aaronson, Shrieve: *Through the Fire* [Geffen] Queensryche: *Queensryche* [EMI America] *The Official Music of the XXIIIrd Olympiad Los Angeles 1984* [Columbia]
D	Motley Crue: *Shout at the Devil* [Elektra]

1983

1985