Top 19 Music Albums of 1981 by Junomoogmello 
This chart is under construction. Albums will only be added as I re-listen to them so that commentary is spontaneous. Only music which I own on vinyl, CD or tape will be included.
- Chart updated: 03/18/2025 11:45
- (Created: 07/23/2020 09:44).
- Chart size: 19 albums.
There is 1 comment for this chart from BestEverAlbums.com members and Top 19 Music Albums of 1981 has an average rating of 87 out of 100 (from 1 vote). Please log in or register to leave a comment or assign a rating.
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It is a close call for me between this one and 2112, both are masterpieces, possibly this one has the edge. Favourite tracks are are YYZ, Tom Sawyer and Witch Hunt. Both albums are in my top ten of all time.
[First added to this chart: 03/28/2021]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
9,271
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
86
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This comment will now outdate my comments about Heaven and Hell and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath whereby I stated that they were my top Sabbath albums. Without a doubt, this for me is top of the tree. The vocal delivery by RJD coupled with the overall musicianship which includes the best guitar work and drumming I have heard on any of the other Black Sabbath albums seals my decision. Every track is class, some with a real sinister atmosphere like 'Sign of the Southern Cross' and 'Falling off the Edge of the World'. There are equally, the really heavy workouts like the title track and 'Voodoo'. The sleeve art lets the album down a bit, had that been more scarey it may have encouraged more people to buy it when it was first released. It has taken me ages to track down a decent copy on vinyl but was most definitely well worth the wait!
[First added to this chart: 03/21/2021]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
780
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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Echo the guilty pleasure, fun, jovial, reggae like rhythms in other comments.
This and Cargo are special listening experiences from my eighties era vinyl selection. [First added to this chart: 04/05/2021]
This and Cargo are special listening experiences from my eighties era vinyl selection. [First added to this chart: 04/05/2021]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
857
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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As a teenager this vinyl saw a lot of spins and having given it a good clean I am pleased that it plays as well as ever. I don't think I would describe any of the tracks as weak. Joan Crawford and Burnin for You are my favourite tracks. The title track is also very catchy but sounds a little dated now.
[First added to this chart: 08/30/2020]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
613
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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I don't really know why, but I really love this album cover. It is as intriguing as the story behind the concept album itself. It tells the story of Hiroo Onada, an Intelligence Officer in the Japanese Imperial Army who held out for circa 30 years in the Philippines, not realising World War II ended in 1944. He was actually relieved of his duties in 1974 by his Commanding Officer! I know this album isn't regarded with the same respect as Mirage, Snow Goose et al but because of my love of the cover design, I happily forked out £15.00 for a near mint copy on vinyl last week. Despite a lot of fairly scathing reviews, I have to say that I wasn't at all disappointed, excellent album in my opinion.
[First added to this chart: 05/09/2023]
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There is a lot of drum machine on this album giving quite a unique sound to most of his other work. The album does have quite an eighties instrumentation feel about which I do like. Air Conditioned Nightmare is a personal favourite.
[First added to this chart: 03/20/2022]
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Come and Get It' was one of the first singles I ever bought, from memory it had the same cover, I think I may have it somewhere. Quite a bluesy feel to this album with some great tracks, 'Don't Break My Heart Again' being a personal favourite. Not that heavy compared to some of their later work.
[First added to this chart: 08/02/2020]
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A real mixed bag of reviews on this album. This is clearly a Marmite album, loved by many, hated by others. Generally I like it. 'Worried About You' and 'Tops' are personal favourites. I see a lot of comparisons to Some Girls. Bit like comparing a good curry to a roast, I like both for different reasons.
[First added to this chart: 08/05/2022]
Year of Release:
1981
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,831
Rank in 1981:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
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I used to have a single off this album, it had similar artwork to the cover of the album and I did like the single although lost, sold or gave it away at some point. I don't recall the name of the single, years later I bought the CD version of the album but it isn't the same as owning a vinyl copy. I will continue to keep my eye out and live in the hope that it may be re-issued. I think the album has a toe or two in the progressive pool which I like.
[First added to this chart: 03/26/2022]
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I can remember Sign of the Gypsy Queen being aired on the Saturday Afternoon Rock Show back when this album was released. I already owned Harder Faster and went out and bought Nature of the Beast. I would say that NOTB is more radio friendly. Personally I prefer Harder Faster. Some of this album has a cheesy feel about it. SOTGQ and Future Tense are favourites for me.
[First added to this chart: 08/02/2020]
Total albums: 19. Page 1 of 2
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Top 19 Music Albums of 1981 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|
|
| Jean Michel Jarre | 1 | 5% | |
| Steve Hackett | 1 | 5% | |
| Heaven 17 | 1 | 5% | |
| Whitesnake | 1 | 5% | |
| Barclay James Harvest | 1 | 5% | |
| The Rolling Stones | 1 | 5% | |
| Frank Zappa | 1 | 5% | |
| Show all | |||
Top 19 Music Albums of 1981 chart changes
| Biggest climbers |
|---|
 Up 1 from 20th to 19thShut Up 'N Play Yer Guitar by Frank Zappa |
| Up 1 from 19th to 18th The Best Of Volume 3 by Barclay James Harvest |
| Up 1 from 18th to 17th Penthouse And Pavement by Heaven 17 |
| Leavers |
|---|
 Best Of The Monkeesby The Monkees |
Top 19 Music Albums of 1981 similarity to your chart(s)
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Other year charts by Junomoogmello
(from the 1980s)| Title | Source | Type | Published | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top 15 Music Albums of 1989 | Junomoogmello | 1989 year chart | 2024 | |
| Top 10 Music Albums of 1988 | Junomoogmello | 1988 year chart | 2024 | |
| Top 22 Music Albums of 1987 | Junomoogmello | 1987 year chart | 2024 | |
| Top 17 Music Albums of 1986 | Junomoogmello | 1986 year chart | 2022 | |
| Top 21 Music Albums of 1985 | Junomoogmello | 1985 year chart | 2023 | |
| Top 24 Music Albums of 1984 | Junomoogmello | 1984 year chart | 2023 | |
| Top 21 Music Albums of 1983 | Junomoogmello | 1983 year chart | 2024 | |
| Top 15 Music Albums of 1982 | Junomoogmello | 1982 year chart | 2023 | |
| Top 19 Music Albums of 1981 | Junomoogmello | 1981 year chart | 2025 | |
| Top 28 Music Albums of 1980 | Junomoogmello | 1980 year chart | 2024 | |
Top 19 Music Albums of 1981 ratings
87/100 (from 1 vote)
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Showing all 1 ratings for this chart.
| Rating | Date updated | Member | Chart ratings | Avg. chart rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 100/100  | 06/06/2024 23:32 | mrmcrook | | 92/100 |
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100/100
From mrmcrook 06/06/2024 23:34
Informative notes with a personal touch are always appreciated. Can give good insight to albums I'm yet to discover
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| Best Artists of 1982 | |
|---|---|
| 1. Michael Jackson | |
| 2. Kate Bush | |
| 3. Iron Maiden | |
| 4. The Cure | |
| 5. Bruce Springsteen | |
| 6. Prince | |
| 7. Roxy Music | |
| 8. Duran Duran | |
| 9. Dire Straits | |
| 10. Donald Fagen | |
| 11. Simple Minds | |
| 12. The Clash | |
| 13. Elvis Costello | |
| 14. Elvis Costello And The Attractions | |
| 15. Peter Gabriel | |
| 16. Laurie Anderson | |
| 17. The Fall | |
| 18. XTC | |
| 19. Judas Priest | |
| 20. Bad Brains |