ASWAD

British reggae band from London who established themselves as a top roots reggae band on the UK scene.  However, they opted for a gentler, more commercial sound as the 80s progressed, scoring a surprise British #1 single with Don't Turn Around.

Don't Turn Around

1988, UK. Mango/Island Records (ISP 341)
1. Don't Turn Around
2. Woman

Very regal-looking plaque-style logo shape on the front, while the band get to pose with horses on the flip.  This single was a reggae-flavoured cover of an obscure Tina Turner b-side.  It was again covered by Ace Of Base successfully in the 90s, though the Swedes clearly based their cover on Aswad's arrangement.

On And On

1989, UK. Mango/Island Records (MNGP 708)
1. On And On
2. Feelings

This disc features the palm tree that has traditionally been the logo of Island Records from its inception.

ASIA

Progressive rock supergroup with AOR leanings, formed in London, England by Steve Howe (Yes), John Wetton (King Crimson and several other bands), Geoff Downes (Buggles, Yes) and Carl Palmer (ELP).  Their early records included minor hit singles, but fans lost interest after too many line-up changes.

Don't Cry

1983, UK. Geffen Records (WA 3580)
1. Don't Cry
2. True Colors

The odd quasi-Masonic logo you see here (those eyes...) appears at the apex of a pyramid on the band's second album, Alpha.  What can it all mean?

THE ART OF NOISE

Studio-based house-band of the London-based ZTT label initially, the production crew consisted of session musicians who help record the first Frankie Goes To Hollywood plus super-producer Trevor Horn (a former member of The Buggles and Yes) and music journalist Paul Morley, whose main responsibility was penning sleeve notes.  The band creating electronic instruments with sampled voices and, often, very heavy drumbeats that were later sampled in hip-hop records.  However, after one album, the session musicians (who included notable orchestral arranger Anne Dudley) split with Morley and Horn and took the name to a new label.

Moments In Love

1985, UK.  ZTT Records (P ZTPS02)
1. Moments In Love Is....Going Slowly
2. Beat Box Is...The Confidence Trick (And The Hare)

The tortoise-shaped disc is outlined with examples of the masks used by the band initially to hide their identities, as they wished to be presented as a faceless band.

Peter Gunn

1986, UK, China Records (WOK P 6)
1. Peter Gunn
2. Something Always Happens

This image of a hand clutching a medal containing the Art Of Noise's initials is taken from the artwork of their album In Visible Silence. This instrumental was originally written by Henry Mancini for the TV series of the same name, but was also famously covered by Duane Eddy.  The veteran guitarist added a new recording of his lead guitar line for this version.

Paranoimia

1986, UK.  China Records (WOK P 9)
1. Paranoimia
2. Why Me

This rectangular disc shows a television set containing Max Headroom, the supposedly computer-generated TV presenter who supplied guest vocals here.  In truth, Headroom was actually Canadian actor Matt Frewer under a ton of prosthetic make-up.

ANTHRAX

Seminal thrash metal band from New York, NY, USA, who are now considered one of the enduring 'big four' bands of the genre.  The group also were one of the first metal bands to experiment with rap music, eventually working with Public Enemy and influencing the controversial 'nu-metal' genre of the 00s.

I'm The Man

1987, UK. Island Records (ISP 338)
1. I'm The Man (Def Uncensored Version)
2. Caught In A Mosh (Live Version)

This simply features a disc shaped around the band's logo.  Rock and metal bands did that quite a lot in the 80s.

ANIMAL NIGHTLIFE

Jazz-pop band from London, England, who displayed a mod-friendly 60s soulful sound with 80s production techniques.  Much loved in the style magazines of the 80s, they ran out of steam after two albums.

Mr Solitaire

1984, UK. Island Records (SIS 193)
1. Mr Solitaire (Panther Remix)
2. Lazy Afternoon

This features a stark image of a panther jumping across a red star, with band portraits on the flip side.

Love Is Just The Great Pretender

1985, UK. Island Records (ISP 200)
1. Love Is Just The Great Pretender  '85 "Undressing"
2. Basic Ingredients

Moody, staged shot of singer Andi Polaris outside a nightclub on the a-side, with other band members in the dressing room on the flip.

AND WHY NOT?

This reggae-based pop trio came from Birmingham, Engalnd, and split after one album.  Their name came from the catchphrase used by British film critic Barry Norman.

Restless Days (She Cries Out Loud)

1989, UK.  Island Records (ISP 426)
1. Restless Days (She Cries Out Loud)
2. Hey Na Na (Make It Good)

Here we see pictures of the three band members placed on an odd-looking steel frame, with the band logo on the reverse side.

AMAZULU

English reggae-pop band from London, with a predominantly female line-up.  They enjoyed a degree of success in their native country with a series of catchy singles, but too many line-up changes stalled their momentum.

Excitable

1985, UK.  Island Records (ISP 201)
1. Excitable
2. A Little Love

It's singer Annie Ruddock, dancing in a sea of dots.

Things The Lonely Do

1986, UK.  Island Records (ISP 267)
1. Things The Lonely Do
2. Sez Who

Annie Ruddock again, in a landscape full of symbolic imagery, I guess. (Can't trace an image of the b-side, sorry.)

Too Good To Be Forgotten

1986, UK. Island Records (ISP 284)
1. Too Good To Be Forgotten
2. Sez Who

 And Annie Ruddock again, now hanging out on a beach, all alone.  One can only wonder if Island's excessive promotion of the singer as the band's focal point led to other band members leaving so soon....

ALT-J

Art-rock/electronica band formed by students at Leeds University in England.  Their debut album An Awesome Wave won the Mercury Prize for best British album in 2012.

Matilda / Fitzpleasure

2012, UK. Infectious Records (INFECT 132S)
1. Matilda
2. Fitzpleasure

It's an image of a rock in the sea.  The triangular nature of the disc is a reference to the band's alternative symbol, which is the Greek letter delta.

MARC ALMOND

Marc Almond, born in Southport, England, formed the synth duo Soft Cell while a student in Leeds, England.  They scored a huge hit with Tainted Love, but sudden fame didn't suit the singer, who split the duo in 1983 to follow a solo career that allowed him to indulge his interest in torch songs and other melodramatic balladry. 

A Lover Spurned

UK, 1990. Parlophone Records (RPD 6229)
1. A Lover Spurned
2. Exotica Rose

This portrait of Marc was created by the French duo Pierre et Gilles, who were noted for their extreme stylised and airbrushed images.

AEROSMITH

Blues-rock band from Boston, MA, USA were a staple of American AOR radio in the 70s.  However, it was only when singer Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry contributed to Run DMC's rap cover of their song Walk This Way in 1985 that they scored a hit around the world.  They then changed their style to anthemic hard rock, and attained international popularity throughout the 1990s.

Janie's Got A Gun

1989, UK. Geffen Records (GEF 68P)
1. Janie's Got A Gun
2. Voodoo Medicine Man

Dude (Looks Like A Lady)

1989, UK. Geffen Records
1. Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
2. Monkey On My Back

This features their other logo, with the letters of their name forming a pair of wings.  The track was originally a single in 1987.

Jaded

2001, UK. Columbia Records (670931 7)
1. Jaded
2. Angel's Eye

Yes, it's a naked woman eating an apple.  What's wrong with being sexy?

The Adicts

This punk rock band from Ipswich, England maintained a humorous aspect to their music and also boasted an unusual fashion sense inspired by the film A Clockwork Orange.

Bad Boy

1983, UK. Razor Records (RZSP 104)
1. Bad Boy
2. Shake Rattle Bang Your Head
3. Joker In The Pack

The disc features the head of vocalist Keith 'Monkey' Warren in full stage make-up.

AC/DC

Classic hard rock band from Sydney, Australia, though largely composed of British-born members, AC/DC's largely unchanging style has made them one of the biggest and most enduring bands in the world.   Diminutive lead guitarist Angus Young has a trademark 'schoolboy uniform' whilst performing a Chuck Berry-style 'duckwalk' on stage.  Original lead singer Bon Scott sadly died in 1980, but was immediately replaced by former Geordie vocalist Brian Johnson, whose gruff voice suited the band's bluesy riffs perfectly.  Their first album with Johnson, Back In Black, went on to become one of the biggest selling hard rock or metal albums of all time with estimated sales of 50 million copies.

Guns For Hire

1983, UK. Atlantic Records (A9774P)
1. Guns For Hire
2. Landslide

This disc features the band's famous logo with the 'thunderclap' detail.

Nervous Shakedown

1984, UK. Atlantic Records (A9651P)
1. Nervous Shakedown
2. Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (Live Version)

This rectangular disc features a live image of Angus Young.  The B-side is a live version of a classic single.

Danger

1985, UK.  Atlantic Records (A9532P)
1. Danger
2. Back In Business

This disc features the cartoon fly from the artwork of the band's Fly On The Wall LP.

Shake Your Foundations

1985, UK. Atlantic Records (A9474P)
1. Shake Your Foundations
2. Stand Up

Another live shot of Angus Young, this time pointing up at something in the rafters.

Who Made Who

1986, UK. Atlantic Records (A9425P)
1. Who Made Who
2. Guns For Hire (Live)

This disc features Young's favourite Gibson SG guitar and the thunderclap from the band's logo.  The track was specially recorded for the soundtrack of the Stephen King film Maximum Overdrive.

You Shook Me All Night Long

1986, UK. Atlantic Records (A9377P)
1. You Shook Me All Night Long
2. She's Got Balls (Live Version)

This disc has the arresting image of Bryan Johnson taking a bath, taken from the video of the single.  The track was originally a single in 1980.

Paula Abdul

American pop singer born in San Fernando, CA.  Paula Abdul was initially a cheerleader for the LA Lakers, who later became a choreographer for Janet Jackson and several movies, including Big.  Starting a musical career in the late 80s, her records were a commercial take on the prevalent New Jack Swing genre.

Knocked Out

1988, UK. Siren Records (SRNS 92)
1. Knocked Out
2. Knocked Out (Instrumental)

For this, er, 'punchy' little single, the disc was presented as a boxing glove-shaped  picture disc.

Opposites Attract

1989, UK.  Siren Records (SRNY 124)
1. Opposites Attract (7")
2. It's Just The One Or The Other (LP Version)

This disc featured 'MC Skat Kat' a cartoon character who performed the male rap and chorus vocals on Paula's most famous song.