Top 43 Music Albums of 1981
by lancashirearab

In 1982, I was heavily into synth music, but was beginning to explore a wider rangeof genres. A lot of the music I listened to and bought that year turned out to be crap, but I was on a steep learning curve.
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Buy album United States
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My favourite Bunnymen album. I first listened to it at a mate's house. His favourite band was AC/DC and he would only let me listen to it if I listened to an AC/DC album first! [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,512
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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I was so excited when this album was released. Everytime I went to Dundee tro buy it, it was already sold out. It took me over a month to get it. [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
167
Rank in 1981:
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Comments:
3. (4) Up 1
Fourth Drawer Down 
Compilation
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This album is a compilation of singles released by the band. It is great. The fourth drawer down was where the band kept their drugs. [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
38
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Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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This is the twin to Songs the Lord Taught Us. It cotains so many great songs. [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
248
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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This was a good follow-up to Kilimanjaro. It wasn't quite as immediate as their first album, but who can resist songs like Tiny Children and Colours Fly Away? [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
161
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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Now its Summer.. This album has drums and drums and drums... And John. [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
587
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
7. (22) Up 15
Buy album United States
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This is a mini album, but it contains so many good songs - Middle Mass, Fit and Working Again... [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
317
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Buy album United States
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This is the debut album for this great Australian band. I love the songs Arrow in a Bow and Ride. [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1982*
Appears in:
Rank Score:
19
Rank in 1982:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
9. (10) Up 1
Buy album United States
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I love the packaging of this album. I like how the corners are curved to help the album slip inside. It just looks brilliant. [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
433
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
10. (14) Up 4
Buy album United States
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The Gun Club are so cool. They sound like they have been dipped into the river that runs through the film Deliverance. What does that mean? [First added to this chart: 05/12/2012]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,725
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 43. Page 1 of 5
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Top 43 Music Albums of 1981 composition

Artist Albums %


Public Image Ltd. 1 2%
Ramones 1 2%
Scars 1 2%
John Cale 1 2%
The Fall 1 2%
Bow Wow Wow 1 2%
Japan 1 2%
Show all
Country Albums %


United Kingdom 32 74%
United States 4 9%
Mixed Nationality 2 5%
Australia 2 5%
Germany 1 2%
Jamaica 1 2%
Ireland 1 2%
Compilation? Albums %
No 41 95%
Yes 2 5%

Top 43 Music Albums of 1981 chart changes

Biggest climbers
Climber Up 15 from 23rd to 8th
Send Me A Lullaby
by The Go-Betweens
Climber Up 15 from 22nd to 7th
Slates
by The Fall
Climber Up 8 from 25th to 17th
Author! Author!
by Scars
Biggest fallers
Faller Down 24 from 3rd to 27th
Prayers On Fire
by The Birthday Party
Faller Down 17 from 8th to 25th
Red Mecca
by Cabaret Voltaire
Faller Down 16 from 16th to 32nd
October
by U2

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Top 43 Music Albums of 1981 ratings

Average Rating: 
86/100 (from 2 votes)
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90/100
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02/20/2014 11:54 newjlp   9681/100
 
85/100
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07/26/2012 22:20 Mother Nature's    13983/100
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Rating:  
90/100
From 02/20/2014 11:56 | #103710
Nice chart! '81 was a good year for music. Thanks for introducing me to Kevin Coyne.
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Rating:  
85/100
From 07/26/2012 22:19 | #47306
I'm just a little confused: "In 1982, I was heavily into synth music, but was beginning to explore a wider rangeof genres." - what music were you into in 1981?

..anyway, I hardly know any albums here but all your great comments make me curious to check them out! What do you think of ELO? Maybe you are one of those who think they are too silly, but I think they have made a pretty good album that year!
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