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: Nigel Swords
- 10. Into The Gap by Thompson Twins
Probably my favourite album. This was a pop album where style and substance met. Remember the Eighties music scene was as much visual as it was aural. The Twins were leaders in there pop field and there tunes stand up today.
- 9. Running in the Family by Level 2
Everytime I tell someone that I like Level 42 (who have heard of them) I get laughed at. There isn't any reason to, they really are overlooked and deserve more credit than they get. Slightly pretentious granted, but with songs like "Lessons in Love", "Freedom Someday" and "Running in the Family" there is certainly some vein of talent running through the band and this album.
- 8. Yazoo by Upstairs at Erics
Yazoo are really worth a re-visit. They were a duo and there songs were really simple, but they had classic riffs and hooks aplenty.
- 7. Lexicon of love by ABC
So suave, so modern, so stylish, so Berlin 1920's. The Synth is fast becoming the Strataverius of our time.
- 6. Forever Young by Alphaville
"Let's dance in style, let's dance for a while" Indeed!
- 5. Shine by Kids in the Kitchen
Australia's answer to Duran Duran. This is a fantastic album and the track "Current Stand" is one of the great songs of the Eighties. For all those that can, get a copy of this album you won't be disappointed.
- 4. Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
I was worded up about this album by a colleague who said I would really like it. I finally got around to listening to it completely sometime in the nineties and he was right. Lloyd Cole really seemed to know where he was at and this album is a product of that talent and confidence.
- 3. Once Upon a Time by Simple Minds
Sure it was lambasted for being overly commercial, but I for one can't tell the difference. I just like it.
- 2. Infected by The The
I roomed at boarding school with a guy who played this album from dawn to dusk, and I hated it. But by the end of that semester, I had to own it, Matt Johnson is one of the great word smiths of his time.
- 1. Cupid & Psyche 85 by Scritti Politti
Joyous, so disposeable, so pop, so now, I mean then.
There were so many other great albums of the era "She's so Unusual" Cyndi Lauper, "Rio" Dunran Duran, "Swing" INXS, "War" U2, "Falco3" Falco, it goes on and on, "Deep Sea Skiving" Bananarama. The eighties were truly "the new Rennaisance" especially that period from 1982 to 1987.
By: Joseph Lee Snyder
- 10. Motley Crue by Motley Crue
A very good album that should have never been a Motley Crue album if you ask Nikki Sixx and I do agree. SOme of the best music I have ever heard but as we all know MOtley will always be Vince, Nikki, tommy and Mick. As Nikki saidit should have been released as a side project so it could have been judged for the music and not the motley name.
- 9. A Diet For A New America by 58
Another release from a member of The Crue. A very good album and nikki vocals and songs are amazing. After hearing this you will agree with me when I say that Nikki should try singing more often.
- 8. Never A Dull Moment by Tommy Lee
Not actually released in the 80's but a new release by the gretest drummer in any 80's band: Motley Crue. This album shows Tommy Lee's consant evolution in music and that he can make it without Vince, Nikki and Mick although I know it would be great to have the band back together again.
- 7. Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses
An album like this comes along once in a lifetime. This album is the perfect thing that came in between the glam era and the grunge era and had the best of both worlds.
- 6. What Comes Aroung Goes Around by Tuff
Another great glam album. CHeck out the song wake me up written by Poison's Bret Michaels and also check out the song The all new generation which is a tribute to all the past and present rock stars of the time. ALso check otu the rest of the album. You won't be dissapointed.
- 5. Hollyweird by Poison
The most recent album by the glam slam kings of noise. A great album. Oure rock. No ballads. If you a looking for a true rock CD this is the one.
- 4. Hollywood Vampires by L.A. Guns
An excellent album by a band that is constantly evolving. This Cd is a great mix of Glam and Goth.
- 3. Slave To The Grind by Skid Row
A very underated Heavy Metal band who was born in the Glam era. What makes this band and this album so great is the way the perfectly blend Metal and Glam.
- 2. Leather Boys With Electric Toys by Pretty Boy Floyd
What real Glam rock is all about. You won't find a better Galm band anywhere.
- 1. Psycho Cafe by Bang Tango
A great album by a very underrated band. I you haven't heard them yet you should.
Honorable mention to Def Leppard's Hysteria, Bon Jovi's Keep the faith and Warrant Cherry Pie.
By: udaynatha
- 10. Boy In The Box by Corey Hart
every young man should listen this
- 9. Heart by Heart
- 8. Control by Janet Jackson
anyone doubt?
- 7. Like A Virgin by Madonna
- 6. Soul Kiss by Olivia newton John
Commercial Loss but best
- 5. Private Dancer by Tina Turner
no need to mention more
- 4. I Feel for You by Chaka Khan
Delicious
- 3. Self Control by Laura Branigan
The most powerfol femal vocalist
- 2. Swept Away by Diana Ross
Her best
- 1. A Private Heaven by Sheena Easton
Sheena was on her peak era
Howard Johns, Donna Summer , Whitney Houston
By: Jerry Watson
Did I say the Go-Go's or any part there of? lol
By: moe
- 10. Thriller by Michael Jackson
A very good album every song is good!
- 9. Glass Houses by Billy Joel
A very Good Album love the song You May Be Right!
- 8. Building The Perfect Beast by Don Henley
A Classic Every Song Rocks!
- 7. Elimantor by ZZ Top
Ilove this album all the songs kick-ass!
- 6. Scarecrow by John Mellencamp
Very Good Album Really Love The Song Small Town!
- 5. The Joshua Tree by U2
A Outstanding Album I Love Every Song!
- 4. Heart by Heart
A very fine album!
- 3. Brothers In Arms by Dire Straits
A Excellent Album!
- 2. 5150 by Van Halen
I love this album!
- 1. Born In The USA by The Boss
Best 80's album!
By: paolo casetta
- 10. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen
I discovered the boss thanks to "dancing in the dark"
- 9. Reckless by Bryan Adams
great rocker
- 8. Parade by Spandau Ballet
all songs are good
- 7. Lexicon Of Love by ABC
great 80's band
- 6. The Final Countdown by Europe
great rock album: very listeneable
- 5. Hunting High And Low by A-ha
great album
- 4. So Red The Rose by Arcadia
most underrated album ever
- 3. Duran Duran by Duran Duran
new wave started there
- 2. True by Spandau Ballet
great album: not a bad tune
- 1. Rio by Duran Duran
best album ever
By: Johannes
- 10. Mothers Milk by Red Hot Chili Peppers
This album was their first album with John Frusciante i like self more the follow up Blood Sugar Sex Magix.
- 9. The Joshua Tree by U2
This album for 50% great and 50% grap. songs like where the streets have no name,still havent found what im looking for, with or without you, bullet the blue sky, red hill mining town, exit and the mothers of the disapeards are great the rest not.
- 8. China Town by Thin Lizzy
Well this album is thin lizzys best album ever.
- 7. Bleach by Nirvana
This is their least commercial album very heavy expressions great album.
- 6. 1984 by Van Halen
Well i like jump and i think that Eddie Van Halen one of the best guitar players ever is.
- 5. Outlandos Damour by The Police
Well this album is a mix of very happy sky and serious music like sting's solo albums.
- 4. From Here To Eternity by Nick Cave
Nick Cave sing so good its a very great album. Very depressive.
- 3. The Real Thing by Faith No More
Well this album ins't their master piece but it is their only album with mike patton in the 80's.
- 2. And Justice For All by Metallica
Its Metallica's best album ever 100x better than the boring black album. It is very musical.
- 1. The Unforgettable Fire by U2
This album is a album with a lot of opposites fast songs like pride, wire, under indian sky and extatic music like unforgettable fire and elvis and america its one of their best albums ever.
By: Steph J
- 10. Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing by Discharge
The ultimate hardcore punk band of all time in my book. This album rocked my socks off back in 1982 and still sound fresh to me after all these years. I grew up on this album and I still listen to it today!
- 9. Front By Front by Front 242
This is the compilation that introduced me to the godfathers of EBM, upon its release back in 1988. "Headhunter" was their most grandiose hit of their career and a dancefloor killer too.
- 8. Mind: The Perpetual Intercouse by Skinny Puppy
My first ever industrial band I ever listened to and bought. This is still my favourite SP album since its release in 1986.
- 7. Black Celebration by Depeche Mode
My all-time favourite DM album: exceptionally good instrumentation, great lyrics without being cheesy. I especially liked Alan Wilder's musical contribution to the DM sound. Thanks for the "indutrial elements" you introduced into their music!
- 6. Pleasant Dreams by Ramones
This album hit the stores in 1981. Being an avid fan of the Ramones since the late 70s (I discovered them with the album Rocket To Russia back in 1977 when I was still a young brat!!!), I loved this one from the grandfathers of punk rock. Even though the 80s were a struggeling period for the Ramones, trying as hard as they could to climb the charts to a decent position. My love for them never ceased even if they tried to polished their sound throughout that decade.
- 5. First And Last And Always by Sisters Of Mercy
First full-lenght album from another legendary band from the "dark" scene of the 80s. Absolutely magnificient... Too bad the magic was lost after the subsequent releases. This album was release in 1985.
- 4. The Nephilim by Fields Of The Nephilim
Atmospheric guitars, esoteric & occult lyrics anyone? This first album is a classic in Gothic music and an album that has rarely left unplayed since its release in 1987.
- 3. In The Flat Field by Bauhaus
Their first full-lenght album, and ironically their best. Dark post-punk known as "Batcave"... We're miles away from Michael Jackson here! Released in 1980.
- 2. Faith by The Cure
"Faith", released in 1981, was strongly inspired by Joy Division's "Closer". Cold, dark and gloomy... Perfect cure for the usual bright & joyful sound of the 80s I hated with a dedication back in the days.
- 1. Closer by Joy Division
This was the last album of Ian Curtis, recorded a few months before his suicide in may 18th 1980. "Closer" is a masterpiece of self-delusion, doubts, depression and introspective darkness. The music might left the impression of being still in its infancy, of being a bit dated but the desperate poetry of Curtis is far from being immature nor juvenile. "This is a crisis I knew had to come Destroying the balance I'd kept Turning around to the next set of lives Wondering what will come next." (Passover)
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