Top 49 Music Albums of 1986
by 
Purplepash 
- Chart updated: 10/12/2025 08:15
- (Created: 07/23/2017 10:24).
- Chart size: 49 albums.
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Best synthpop art pop album of the year
Best UK album of the year
"I was trying so hard to please myself,
I was turning into somebody else.
I was trying so hard to be myself
I was turning into somebody else."
This is one of those records that I just don't get how everyone doesn't see it's greatness. It is powerful and passionate, with fantastic emotive vocals and interesting post punky but accessible music. The songs are all constructed so well and the album flows like a story. Speaking of which there is a story being told here on both a personal and a political level, and if you get the chance to see the music videos that were made for every song on this album, in order, it all becomes so clear. It is a mixed media masterpiece. (music, video, short movies, long film). Great lyrics throughout.
10/10 songs: Seriously the first six songs are all perfect. [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Best UK album of the year
"I was trying so hard to please myself,
I was turning into somebody else.
I was trying so hard to be myself
I was turning into somebody else."
This is one of those records that I just don't get how everyone doesn't see it's greatness. It is powerful and passionate, with fantastic emotive vocals and interesting post punky but accessible music. The songs are all constructed so well and the album flows like a story. Speaking of which there is a story being told here on both a personal and a political level, and if you get the chance to see the music videos that were made for every song on this album, in order, it all becomes so clear. It is a mixed media masterpiece. (music, video, short movies, long film). Great lyrics throughout.
10/10 songs: Seriously the first six songs are all perfect. [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,078
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Best indie pop jangle pop album of the year
"It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind"
The above lines are my favourite lyrics by anyone ever. They have had a lifelong impact on me. From an album full of great lyrics. I sing along to the whole album...every song.
10/10 songs: I Know It's Over, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, The Queen Is Dead, Bigmouth Strikes Again, & The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
"It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind"
The above lines are my favourite lyrics by anyone ever. They have had a lifelong impact on me. From an album full of great lyrics. I sing along to the whole album...every song.
10/10 songs: I Know It's Over, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, The Queen Is Dead, Bigmouth Strikes Again, & The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
32,891
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Best neo-psychedelia album of the year
Best debut album of the year
"Well, come on and let it happen to you
You gotta open up your mind and let everything come through"
Not their lyrics but they sum up the album. Two covers on this seven song album but both of them are arguably better than the originals. One of my most listened to albums of the late 80s that I still lose myself in every time.
10/10 songs: O.D. Catastrophe, Little Doll, Losing Touch With My Mind [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Best debut album of the year
"Well, come on and let it happen to you
You gotta open up your mind and let everything come through"
Not their lyrics but they sum up the album. Two covers on this seven song album but both of them are arguably better than the originals. One of my most listened to albums of the late 80s that I still lose myself in every time.
10/10 songs: O.D. Catastrophe, Little Doll, Losing Touch With My Mind [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Best zolo post-punk EP of the year
[First added to this chart: 03/05/2024]
Best folk rock album of the year
[First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
519
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Best dark cabaret gothic rock post-punk album of the year
Best Australian album of the year [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Best Australian album of the year [First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,072
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Best darkwave synthpop album of the year
[First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,652
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Best thrash metal album of the year
Best USA album of the year [First added to this chart: 05/21/2019]
Best USA album of the year [First added to this chart: 05/21/2019]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
12,447
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Best noise rock album of the year
[First added to this chart: 12/17/2019]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,205
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Best film soundtrack album of the year
[First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,554
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 49. Page 1 of 5
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Top 49 Music Albums of 1986 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds | 2 | 4% | |
| Cocteau Twins | 2 | 4% | |
| Kate Bush | 1 | 2% | |
| XTC | 1 | 2% | |
| Hunters & Collectors | 1 | 2% | |
| Depeche Mode | 1 | 2% | |
| Various Artists | 1 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 49 Music Albums of 1986 chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
| Down 1 from 37th to 38thTrue Stories by Talking Heads |
| Down 1 from 38th to 39thKicking Against The Pricks by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds |
| Down 1 from 39th to 40thThe Whole Story by Kate Bush |
| New entries |
|---|
| Please by Pet Shop Boys |
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Top 49 Music Albums of 1986 ratings
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Showing all 3 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/24/2023 18:59 |  dihansse | 309 | 84/100 | |
| 10/26/2021 00:21 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 | |
| 01/07/2019 04:20 | DJENNY | 4,338 | 100/100 |
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