Tears For Fears

I could see how Tears For Fears might be on a lot of people's "overplayed" list, as they produced songs so tied to the '80s they've almost certainly gotten more airplay since that decade ended than during. But that shouldn't stop "Songs From The Big Chair" being heard as the masterpiece it is.

Screaming Blue Messiahs

Quirky with a kick. That's how I would describe this three-piece from the UK. Bowie was a big enough fan to request they open for him on tour in the mid-80s. One of their songs was used as the theme music for MTV's "120 Minutes" show. The great Vic Maile (The Godfathers, Motorhead) produced their first two proper albums, "Gun Shy" and "Bikini Red," which spawned the novelty almost-hit "I Wanna Be A Flintstone." Despite that song, there's nothing cute about the propulsive opening track "Sweet Water Pools," which sounds like driving a dual-carb muscle car through a desert highway at 120 mph after a sleepless 3-day bender.

You, too?

Probably no other artist have I ever had as nasty a break-up with than U2. Our relationship was full of such passion but we diverged on  totally different paths in 2000. {sigh} Ah, well, we'll always have the music, eh?

Comsat Angels

The Comsat Angels are one of the best bands to emerge from the post-punk landscape. Definitely have to check out this band if you're into any bands in the genre, from Joy Division through Interpol. Their first two albums, "Waiting For A Miracle" and "Sleep No More" are the most heralded.

The Chameleons (UK)

The Chameleons were another great band that came about at the tail end of the post-punk era. Their debut "Script of the Bridge" is an absolute classic, somewhere between early U2 and the Cure. Their dual-guitar interplay is some of the best ever.

Magazine

Magazine are the archetypal post-punk band. Started by Howard Devoto after he left the Buzzcocks, they combine the energy of punk with slower tempos and interesting guitar work. Sometimes punchy, other times dark and brooding, their first 2 albums are essential.

Icehouse

Icehouse had a long run of hits in their native Australia, but only ever reached international success with "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" in 1987. Unfortunately, those 2 singles featured videos with Iva Davies' jeri-curled mullet and put them in the "bad 80s haircut" club, along with Flock Of Seagulls.  In reality, Icehouse were more akin to late-period Roxy Music and I think all their albums are pretty solid.