10,000 Maniacs

UK first press 1989.
Soft but not flimsy, warm jangly guitars, gentle rhythm section and Natalie Merchant delivering that clear steady vocal like she’s talking you down from the edge of something. It’s introspective without being miserable, thoughtful without disappearing into itself, proper late 80s alternative that still sounds human and unforced. This is the kind of tune that sneaks up on you and suddenly you realise you actually care. FFO R.E.M., The Sundays, Suzanne Vega, The Cranberries