You gotta have faith-uh, faith-uh, faith in O3L, because we're heading straight back to 1987 this week! So grab your crimping iron and acid washed jeans, and join us as we count down some of the finest classic alternative albums of the year.

We have two "Third Lads" this episode (which makes four total, but you know we're not good at math n' stuff) - singer Tom Cheek and drummer Allen Wagner from Athens, GA's Kilkenny Cats! In 1987, the band appeared in the definitive documentary Athens, GA - Inside/Out, in between their 1986 debut album Hands Down and 1988's Hammer EP. The band's sound was dark and brooding, yet rocking and danceable, with critics scrambling to classify their music as "moody Southern goth," "hard driving college rock," and "pop-ish hypnotic indie dance rock" with "haunting melodies and blazing guitar." In 1985, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills cited them as the number one band in Athens. 10,000 Maniacs and Pixies opened gigs for them. This was a band that could have, and should have, been as huge as their reputations.

Fortunately, their "Cat-alogue" (get it??) is back, remastered and available on streaming platforms, with vinyl and CD editions forthcoming. Plus, we preview a couple of rare Kilkenny Cats' rarities!

For more information on Kilkenny Cats: (3) Kilkenny Cats | Facebook

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

E86 - Top 5 Albums of 1987 (with KILKENNY CATS)