Top 51 Music Albums of 1986
by 
Purplepash 
- Chart updated: 09/27/2026 08:15
- (Created: 07/23/2017 10:24).
- Chart size: 51 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:
1,040
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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:
31,246
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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]
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Best zolo post-punk EP of the year
[First added to this chart: 03/05/2024]
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Best folk rock album of the year
[First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
498
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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:
1,040
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
Best darkwave synthpop album of the year
[First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,698
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
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:
12,164
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
Best noise rock album of the year
[First added to this chart: 12/17/2019]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,230
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Available from
Best film soundtrack album of the year
[First added to this chart: 09/08/2017]
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,579
Rank in 1986:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 51. Page 1 of 6
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Top 51 Music Albums of 1986 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Nick Cave | 2 | 4% | |
| Cocteau Twins | 2 | 4% | |
| Kate Bush | 1 | 2% | |
| XTC | 1 | 2% | |
| John Farnham | 1 | 2% | |
| Hunters & Collectors | 1 | 2% | |
| Depeche Mode | 1 | 2% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 51 Music Albums of 1986 chart changes
| Biggest fallers |
|---|
Down 1 from 48th to 49th |
Down 1 from 49th to 50th |
Down 1 from 50th to 51st |
| New entries |
|---|
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Showing latest 3 ratings for this chart. | Show all 4 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ! | 08/23/2026 18:10 |  Rhyner | 1,462 | 99/100 |
| ! | 10/24/2023 18:59 |  dihansse | 312 | 84/100 |
| ! | 10/26/2021 00:21 | Moondance | 476 | 85/100 |
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