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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: dave g.
  • 10. Perfect Strangers by Deep Purple
    group reforms back to early line-up to put out a high quality effort! ian gillan is a very under-rated vocalist.
  • 9. Invasion Of Your Privacy by Ratt
    to see ratt on the one hit wonders list makes me sick; put out 3-4 good albums with lots of high quality material!
  • 8. Eliminator by Zz Top
    a blend of hard rock and pop, great songs and billy g. is one hell of a guitar player.
  • 7. Blackout by Scorpions
    a great effort that gave the german band worldwide fame. great songs , vocals and guitar work!
  • 6. Lucky Ones by Loverboy
    ok, maybe they didn't finish that strong, but this album speaks for itself!
  • 5. Too Fast For Love by Motley Crue
    quite an impact for a groups first album. crank it up and wake up the neighbors!
  • 4. Freedom Of Choice by Devo
    the best effort of one of the most under-rated groups ever. although mostly known for "whip it" ( a quality song ), they have 15-20 songs which are even better!
  • 3. Back In Black by Ac/dc
    comeback album after bon scott's death. quite a statement, their best effort ever in my opinion!
  • 2. Moving Pictures by Rush
    their peak between their musical and commercial success. no weak links, quite a trio of musicians.
  • 1. Ride The Lightning by Metallica
    top to bottom a real gem. sure to wake ya up if you're a little sleepy!
By: Marcus Thompson
  • 10. Parallel Lines by Blondie
    Girl could rock and look good doing it. She paved the way for many frontwomen to come is still around today. You go girl!
  • 9. Slip Of The Tounge by Whitesnake
    This album is a treat from start to finish. Have you ever listened to "Still of the Night?" This guy can wail and is backed up by perfect guitar work and song writing. I know it was almost released in the ninties but it barely made it in and that's all that counts.
  • 8. Faith by George Michael
    I may be chastised for this but it was an essential album for my teenage years. I actually wore out the tape 'til it finally broke and I graduated to cd. "I want your sex" and "father figure" defined the late eighties for many.
  • 7. Bad by Michael Jackson
    Music in the eighties, or now for that matter, wouldn't be what it was if it weren't for this man. A unique album with a sound and flare that few could duplicate, not that they didn't try. This has to be on the list. Who's Bad¿!!!
  • 6. Hysteria by Def Lepard
    The peak of 80's glamour rockers, Def Lepard, bombarded listeners with a barrage of hits in rapid succession. Not one song on this album is without merit. You couldn't turn on the radio without hearing these guys.
  • 5. Innocent Man by Billy Joel
    The embodiment of "Singer Song Writer". Que up the ablum, sit back, and relax.
  • 4. Appetite For Distruction by Guns 'n Roses
    Come on . . . . . . . . I mean COME ON !!!!
  • 3. Van Halen by Van Halen
    Look up "rock'n ass band" in the dictionary and you'll see a pictute of Van Halen. Every member contributes 100% to the flashy and professional success of this icon of American rock band.
  • 2. Synchronicity by The Police
    Do I really need to explain this one¿
  • 1. Michael Jackson by Thriller
    The difinitive 80's ablum. Nothing is perfect, but this album comes close. The King of Pop still riegns over the masses and all must acknowledge his acomplishment and talent. Too bad he went wierd on us.
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'.

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