Rocka's Subgenre Essentials: Synth Pop
by Tha1ChiefRocka

From the classic to the obscure, here are 10 essentials of Synth-Pop.
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Top Tracks: The Model, Metropolis, The Robots

Why it's essential: Uh, because it's Kraftwerk?
[First added to this chart: 07/01/2020]
Year of Release:
1978
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Rank Score:
4,451
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Top Tracks: Metal, M.E., Films, Engineers

Why it's essential: It's one of those albums that bridges the gap between niche and the mainstream. It brought together the completely electronic presentation of Kraftwerk and paired with more New Wavish song structures.
[First added to this chart: 11/13/2017]
Year of Release:
1979
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Rank Score:
1,134
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Top Tracks: Gentleman Take Polaroids, Nightporter, Methods of Dance

Why it's essential: Although I actually prefer Japan's slightly more Rock-oriented next album Tin Drum, I can't help but love some of the synth textures created on this album by the likes of Sylvian, Ricard Barbieri, and even Ryuichi Sakamoto. Japan takes time for some ballad-type (Nightporter) song structures on this album compared to most of the other synth pop offerings which are much more immediate. Mick Karn's fretless bass is also a perfect compliment to the whole production BTW and the band would not sound nearly as tight without it. The man was a wizard on the bass.
[First added to this chart: 11/13/2017]
Year of Release:
1980
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Rank Score:
326
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Top Tracks: Film 2, Hinter Den Bergen, Kalte Kriecht, In Der Nacht

Why it's essential: I needed to have an album that blended some post punk elements with synth pop, and it's hard to top this Swiss album. Also check out there song Eisbaer which was a single not included on this album, but it's freaking rad.
[First added to this chart: 07/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1981
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Rank Score:
24
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Top Tracks: Show Me, Poison Arrow, Tears Are Not Enough, The Look of Love

Why it's essential: Well, it is called Synth "Pop" right? This is probably the most bombastic of all of the albums on this list, and it's all the better for it. The rhythms and grooves on this album are smooth as hell and the "The Look of Love" is an absolute classic.
[First added to this chart: 07/01/2020]
Year of Release:
1982
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Rank Score:
1,463
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Top Tracks: Damn, um, most of them, but I'll have to go with Destination Moon, Tenth Planet, and Please Don't Fade Away...

Why it's essential: A little ironic that the album with actual robots on it has guitar prominently featured on a lot of tracks. However, that does not mitigate the incredible and unstoppable groove that is Space Museum. If I can put on my hipster cap for a moment, I think I might have came upon this album shortly before it really started to become the cult hit that it is today. It's a brilliant album and one that everybody should give a try. Still a unique listen today.
[First added to this chart: 11/13/2017]
Year of Release:
1982
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Rank Score:
160
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Top Tracks: Don't Be Seen With Me, Subterranean Desire, The Devil's Dancers, New Mexico

Why it's essential: Probably the most pure expression of the genre ever put to tape and my personal favorite of these 10.
[First added to this chart: 11/13/2017]
Year of Release:
1982
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Rank Score:
171
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Top Tracks: Cowboys in Cuba, Impulse, Secret, Until

Why it's essential: Both members being an alumnus of Throbbing Gristle, Chris & Cosey show a darker and more obtuse side of Synth Pop that also leans towards the industrial.
[First added to this chart: 07/01/2020]
Year of Release:
1982
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Rank Score:
20
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Top Tracks: Telegraph, The Romance of The Telescope, Radio Waves

I think that OMD could write a book called "1001 Different Sounds For Your Synth". Architecture and Morality is superb, and it's probably a better representation of the genre, because it's more straightforward, but this album has so many little moments of fun, that I couldn't help but have it on here. The synth sound on "Telegraph" alone makes it worthwhile.
[First added to this chart: 07/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1983
Appears in:
Rank Score:
361
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Top Tracks: Love In Itself, Everything Counts, More Than A Party, The Landscape Is Changing, Told You So

Why it's essential: OK, I couldn't make a synthpop chart without Depeche Mode it turns out. And I'm putting on this chart an album that's not generally counted among their best. I imagine that it's because, along with their previous two albums, it's the one that has not aged as well sonically. Overly serious people may think that some of the electronic textures on this album are cheesy, which they can be, but it's well-known that I ate eat cheesiness up. The industrial touches that they added on this album elevate some of these tracks too.
[First added to this chart: 07/02/2020]
Year of Release:
1983
Appears in:
Rank Score:
378
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Total albums: 12. Page 1 of 2
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Rocka's Subgenre Essentials: Synth Pop composition

Rocka's Subgenre Essentials: Synth Pop chart changes

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TitleSourceTypePublishedCountry
ranking albums: depeche mode paladisiacCustom chart2020
Top 11 Music Albums of 1982 Goliath1982 year chart2020
Top 11 Music Albums of the 1980s Nobodyisemo1980s decade chart2016
Top 11 Music Albums of 1979 alelsupreme1979 year chart2016
Top 11 Music Albums of 1978UnliveableWilts1978 year chart2017
Top 12 Music Albums of 1978blackflag291978 year chart2018

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Tha1ChiefRocka has shared 17 more fun charts with the community. Browse them all here.
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Rocka's Subgenre Essentials: Synth Pop ratings

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89/100 (from 3 votes)
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