Man, don't get me started on 80's bands. I remember the days when MTV was good. Outfield would be on that list. My wife (who is my age) listens to rap and pop that just makes be what to put a bullet in my head. And she thinks the crap is good music. Aaaackkkkkkkk.
I really have a limited taste, buy my list would include:
Crowded House
Divynils
Tears for Fears
Ratt (yeah, glam rules)
Tom Dolby
Some of the reason I like some of these bands is because they spent time and money to produce a well sounding CD. You can crank them up on a good sound system.
Eh, the list is pretty short.........For a newer CD that reminds me of how music used to be made / produced, I highly recommend Nik Kershaw's "15 minutes".