Top Ten Lists of Eighties Albums

What are your top ten favorite albums from the 80s?

This page currently edited by: stingr22. Past editor: Junior

By: Stephen
  • 10. Substance by New Order
    I had to sneek New Order, Very solid synth work, one of the pioneers of big electronic sound.
  • 9. In The Flat Field by Bauhaus
    in 1980, basicaly 10 solid years of Peter evolving, growing and changing, while never failing to put out truly briliant records.
  • 8. Deep by Peter Murphy
    It was either deep in 1989 or...
  • 7. Closer by Joy Division
    I'd never listened to Joy Division, untill after 1980, I'd realy never heard of them untill Ian Curtis was dead. Closer, is a sincere indication he was not sticking around, but a very, very good record.
  • 6. Disapointed by Electronic
    Why did noone noitce this group evr existing? Remember "Getting Away With It"?
  • 5. Pornography by The Cure
    The Cure again but, Robert is beyond anything that has ever existed, so sad, so amazing.
  • 4. Meat is Murder by The Smiths
    Morresy had to end up in here somwhere.
  • 3. Violator by Depeche Mode
    Recorded in '89 rleased in '90, so I'm making it count.
  • 2. Fooldland by Sisters of Mercy
    Haunting lyrics, and embracing songs.
  • 1. Disintergration by The Cure
    When I bought the LP the, Siouxise look-a-like sales girl, said It would change my life, and it did.
If the list was longer, The Pixies, David Bowie, The Psychedelic Furs, Nick Cave, Suzanne Vega, Pet Shop Boys, Warsaw, The Violent Femms, Skinny Puppy, Jane's Addiction, Ministry, Gary Numan, Duran Duran, Delerium, Daniel Ash, Tones on Tails, X, Yaz/Yazoo, The Glove, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Love Spit Love, Love and Rockets, Kraftwerk, Carcrash International, Nosferatu, and so very much more would have made the final cut. (Why is it that music of now is so bad?)
By: Henry
By: Stewart Clegg [secretgod@popstar.com]
  • 10. Back In Black by AC / DC
    The 2nd best Aussie/NZ act behind Neil Finn & Crowded Hosue
  • 9. Escapade by Tim Finn
    Tim is nowhere near as talented as his brother, but this is still a fantastic album!
  • 8. Rio by Duran Duran
    Duran Duran's new stuff isn't so bad either, check it out!
  • 7. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    Just one of their brilliant albums.
  • 6. Crowded House (Self-titled) by Crowded House
    The best debut album ever, although Neil Finn already wrote some fantastic material in 'Split Enz', but for his first (sort-of) solo album, this rocks!
  • 5. ...And Justice For All by Metalllica
    Possibly THE best "metal" (if you want to call it that) album of all time.
  • 4. Bleach by Nirvana
    Not quite 'Nevermind', but still deserving to be here.
  • 3. Kick by INXS
    They'd still be fantastic today...
  • 2. Temple Of Low Men by Crowded House
    Neil Finn is a songwriting genious!
  • 1. The Joshua Tree by U2
    From 'In God's Country' to 'With Or Without You...
Thanks for the opportunity for letting my give my thoughts.
By: Rasmus Pilgaard
  • 10. Synchonicity by The Police
    The last Police album and the best. Features Every Breath You Take
  • 9. Purple Rain by Prince
    He is weird, he is small, but he makes good music (At least on this record)
  • 8. Thriller by Michael Jackson
    Well, it's the best-selling record of all time. And it's well worth it
  • 7. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
    The title track, along with several others, are some of the best song the Boss has ever made. It's rocking and rolling
  • 6. Blackout by Scorpions
    The Germans from Scorpions produced a great album in 82. No One Like You rocks!!
  • 5. An Innocent Man by Billy Joel
    Billy Joel of the 70's and 80's was the best song-writer in the world. They sound good, and there is depth in them
  • 4. Pyromania by Def Leppard
    Hysteria is the better known of the two Def Leppard records of the 80's, but this is definetely the better. Photograph is one of the best rock songs of all time
  • 3. Appetite For Destruction by Guns N'Roses
    A brilliant hard-rock album from 87. Songs like Paradise City, Sweet Child O'Mine and Welcome To The Jungle are all rock classics
  • 2. Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
    Bon Jovi's breakthrough record. Inc. Livin On A Prayer, Wanted Dead Or Alive and the rest are all good songs.
  • 1. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
    It was the 80's. Weird hair, electronic music and new wave. And then came Dire Straits with poetical songs, acustic guitars and of course, brilliant song-writing.
By: fulchmeister
  • 10. Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man by Guadalcanal Diary
    A great example of Mid-Eighties Athens Rock without being R.E.M.
  • 9. The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths
    The best album of their career!
  • 8. Indigo Girls by Indigo Girls
    Some of the best combined music and songwriting ever!
  • 7. Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen
    Not for the casual Boss fan, but it represents some of his most thought provoking work.
  • 6. Master Of Puppets by Metallica
    Classic! Don't be fooled by any Metallica album after this one!
  • 5. The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses
    This album could be listed as numbers 1-10 on any list and should be on every "best of" list! " I wanna be adored..."
  • 4. The Top by The Cure
    A mix of the pop and the brash that represents The Cure in whole. Check out "Empty World"
  • 3. Pleased to Meet Me by The Replacements
    A polished effort from Rock and Roll's most underated band!
  • 2. New Order by Power, Corruption, and Lies
    The perfect blend of Joy Division's moody punk and the groove of New Order.
  • 1. Self Titled by Duran Duran
    Way ahead of their time in 1981!
By: Alex Temple
  • 10. Riposte (A Little Resolve) (1987) by Slovenly
  • 9. Holidays in Europe (The Naughty Nought) (1986) by Kukl
  • 8. Work Resumed on the Tower (1984) by News from Babel
  • 7. Surfer Rosa (1988) by The Pixies
  • 6. The Big Express (1984 by XTC
  • 5. Big Science (1982) by Laurie Anderson
  • 4. Island of Jewels (1986) by The Legendary Pink Dots
  • 3. The Dreaming (1982) by Kate Bush
  • 2. In This Life (1989) by Thinking Plague
  • 1. Macchina Maccheronica (1980) by Stormy Six
By: DANIEL
LONG LIVE ROCK N ROLL
By: Jamie
  • 10. Youthquake by Dead Or Alive
    Brilliant entirely Stock Aitken Waterman/PWL produced album. Don't really like male singers but this is great. Highlights: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) and My Heart Goes Bag! (Get Me To The Doctor)
  • 9. Wicked by Sinitta
    Tacky, overproduced and very silly, but I think it's great. Highlights: Right Back Where We Started Froma nd I Don't Believe In Miracles.
  • 8. Brenda K Starr by Brenda K Starr
    I'd never heard of her till i came across her on the all music guide web site. Every song is quality dance/pop and it's a CD i'm glad I gave a chance. Highlight: What You See Is What You Get
  • 7. Cross My Heart by Martika
    Such a good album. Prefer it to 'Martika's Kitchen'. Highlights: I Feel The Earth Move and More Than You Know.
  • 6. True Confessions by Bananarma
    I was surprised at how good this album was. Unlike it's dull follow up 'WOW' it actually has some diversity and good album tracks not just singles and fillers. Highlights: Venus and Do Not Disturb
  • 5. Heart Of Stone by Cher
    Very strong album much better than 87's 'Cher'. Highlights: If I Could Turn Back Time and Just Like Jesse James.
  • 4. Another Place And Time by Donna Summer
    Every song shows of not only the excellent PWL production but also Donna's great voice. Highlights: Love's About To Change My Heart and This Time I Know It's For Real
  • 3. The Lover In Me by Sheena Easton
    Nice to hear Sheena move away from the ballads and into some cool R&B pop where she shines. Highlights: The Lover In Me and Without You
  • 2. Best Shots by Pat Benatar
    I know it's a greatest hits but it was her biggest hit and it rocks. Went to see Pat live in Las Vegas and it was great. Highlights: Heartbreaker and Invincible (theme from The Legend Of Billie Jean)
  • 1. Kylie by Kylie Minogue
    The perfect pop album, even the ballads can be danced to. Highlights: I Should Be So Lucky and Got To Be Certain
Honourable mentions for Laura Branigan's 'Self Control' and Tiffany's 'Hold An Old Friend's Hand'.
By: jermec
  • 10. Fresh Fruit For Rotting Vegetables by Dead Kennedys
    Articulate, witty punk.
  • 9. Deacon Blue by When The World Knows Your Name
    Feelgood songs (for me at any rate).
  • 8. Under the Influence by Mary Coughlan
    Songs to be heard with an incredibly bad hangover and a mouth that feels like it's been used as an ashtray all night.
  • 7. Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars by Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians
    Heard it playing in a record shop. Bought it. Took it home. Loved it ever since.
  • 6. Indigo Girls by Indigo Girls
    Tuneful. Cheery. Angry. Rainy night songs.
  • 5. The End of the Innocence by Don Henley
    Reminds me of touring the States in 1990. Around the time of the Gulf War. Scary time.
  • 4. In My Tribe by 10,000 Maniacs
    That voice. Those words. Makes you think.
  • 3. Sniff 'n' the Tears by Ride Blue Divide
    Great driving music.
  • 2. Across A Crowded Room by Richard Thompson
    See above
  • 1. Daring Adventures by Richard Thompson
    Chilling. Invigorating. Thoughtful. Guitar that reaches into your soul.
No order to the list, except Thompson will always come out on top. Of course there's more, but these are today's winners (23/11/02).
By: ophion
  • 10. The Lion and the Cobra by Sinead O'Connor
    (1987) I love her voice.
  • 9. Fables of the Reconstruction by R.E.M.
    (1985) This album comes from the time when R.E.M. made great albums.
  • 8. Floodland by The Sisters of Mercy
    (1987) I'm a bit goth, yes.
  • 7. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
    (1986) I like both dark DM and poppy DM.
  • 6. Upstaris at Eric's by Yaz
    (1982) !
  • 5. Dare by The Human League
    (1982) Bring on the new wave!
  • 4. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
    (1983)
  • 3. Hallowed Ground by Violent Femmes
    (1984) Their best album is often overlooked. This is as close to country as I get.
  • 2. Pornography by The Cure
    (1982) There's nothing better than intelligent, disaffected lads in black.
  • 1. Disintegration by The Cure
    (1989) This is my favorite album. Is it coincidence that it also marks the end of the 1980s?

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