If you want to survive a long northern winter then music is your best bet. Without music we would all be shells — pods — rotting in a vegetable state without a proper soundtrack. But instead of totally starving your sun-deprived brain monster, toss that jerk a little snack with these soul-piercing ensembles hailing from the land formerly known as ‘part of the EU.’

 

1. The Cure – The Head on the Door

Mr. Smith hit the nail on the head on the door with this record — a must-have for any collection.

 

2. Depeche Mode – Violator

A record that elevated DM to EPIC rockstar status.

 

3. Killing Joke – Brighter Than a Thousand Suns

Killing Joke are pros at making tunes that curtail sad tendencies…Jaz Coleman is a genius. 

 

4. T-Rex – The Slider

To put a bop in your brain.

 

5. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

One of my personal favorites by the late and great.

 

6. New Order – Movement

A band that has countless good records and a recognizable sound.

 

7. Tears for Fears – Songs from the Big Chair

It’s just perfect…

 

8. Echo and the Bunnymen – Ocean Rain

Another great English band that has many memorable hits.

Honorable track mention not from Ocean Rain, are you still paying attention?

 

9. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures

Ian Curtis is a legend and he is immortalized in this amazing record.

 

10. The Damned – Machine Gun Etiquette

DAMNIT! You can’t go wrong with a founding drummer named Rat Scabies.

 

11. Eurythmics – Revenge

ANNIE LENNOX! It’s enough said. She is a force stronger than failed relationships. 

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Endnote

I do not claim to know anything about music but I have graciously devoted a good chunk of my life attempting to absorb as much knowledge as I can pertaining to every aspect of music, and there’s always something more to learn — and retain. As long as you have the passion for discovery there’s infinite stuff available to make you feel good. 

Title photo by Sean Benham