Child's Play (1988)

One of the brighter debuts to emerge in the late '80s, Britny Fox established themselves early on as hard-hitting contenders, only to expose a glass jaw in subsequent bouts. Often labeled clones of sister band Cinderella (whence they got their image, guitar player, and record contract), the quartet overcame expectations by filling their first album with song after song of top-flight '80s glam, marred only slightly by the cliché-ridden lyrics. The boys each play to their strengths here, which results in killer riffs and licks from Michael Kelly Smith and impassioned howling from Dizzy Dean Davidson. On later platters, they would overextend their talents and become just another struggling bar band, so enjoy the chemistry while it's still there. Among the many highlights are "Long Way to Love," "Girlschool," and a cover of Slade's "Gudbuy t'Jane."

Arisen from the ashes of an early line-up of The Sisters Of Mercy and founded by Craig Adams and Wayne Hussey in 1986, The Mission established its own distinctive profile at a very early stage. Apart from their very successful albums like God's Own Medicine (1986), Children (1988) and Carved In Sand (1989) in particular, The Mission established primarily as a live act, making both Rockpalast concerts essential viewing for a fan. Without a doubt, The Mission had its first zenith in 1989/90 when the band entered the premier league of rock with the album Carved In Sand…