Best Albums of 1981

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31.

Beauty And The Beat 

 Go-Go's

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"I still think this 1981 record is one of the great pop albums ever."  Reply

- swhaze | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

198 charts

Rank Score:

788

Rank in 1981:

31

Rank in 1980s:

318

Overall Rank:

2,088

Average Rating:

 75 (182 votes)

Comments:

7

32.

The Visitors 

 ABBA

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"They say that a prophet is never accepted in his homeland. Likewise it is often that art which challenges us to explore new vistas is never fully appreciated until time has passed and hindsight is used grant it immortality. So it was that the works of many a great composer, writer or artist were ...""They say that a prophet is never accepted in his homeland. Likewise it is often that art which challenges us to explore new vistas is never fully appreciated until time has passed and hindsight is used grant it immortality. So it was that the works of many a great composer, writer or artist were ignored in their own time, and lay waiting, dormant until the day would come when a new generation, freed from the prejudices of the past, would learn to adore what had previously been spurned. A case in point was the 18th century composer Vivaldi whose music remained forgotten until rediscovered in the 20th century. And so it is, in its own small way, with The Visitors, ABBA’s last and least commercially successful album! If the fact that it failed to deliver more than one big hit single was not disastrous enough, the entire album concept was given a mixed reception and even panned by some of the more serious music critics of the time. Rolling Stone which awarded the album only two stars out of five blasted the album as "lousy" while the album’s commercial performance itself could only mirror that exact description managing the lowly position of 29 on the American Billboard Hot 100 Album listings. The exploration into melancholy and maturity in a new modern musical style was interpreted as nothing more than synch-drenched melodramatic balladeering. For the group itself, lacking only unanimous critical acclaim and used to almost 7 years of unbroken commercial success, the relative failure of the album must have been particularly hard to take. Within a year they had effectively disbanded, split up; gone their separate ways. Once again we were witness to the sorry sight of the artists attempt to break the chains of necessity and discover for us new worlds being spurned and derided. And now a decade into a new century, their music lives on: stubbornly refusing to let go of the old fans with its nostalgia and rich diversity; seducing and enchanting new fans with its timeless melodies and addictive hooks. Prominent among the many reasons for ABBA's staying power has been the effect of their music catalogue to touch a raw nerve in practically every emotion. From bounding joy to deep sadness, ABBA music has a power over its listener that the critic no longer dare dismiss and no ABBA album tugs at the emotional strings stronger than the Visitors. In truth there is an air of defiance permeating the entire album. However this is no grand scale strategy on the part of the creators but the ordinary and breakable human defiance of real people desirous of artistic freedom. From the muffled cry of "help me" on the title track, to the refusal to lie down and cry in "When all is said and done", and to the admission of a twinge of guilt in "Slipping through My Fingers", there is an emotional honesty with which we, the everyman listener can readily identify with. While the primary ideas for the concept and the music lay with the male group members, Benny and Bjorn, the creative process can not be entirely disassociated from their female colleagues, for it is to them that is assigned that momentous task of actually bearing open the human soul and showing it to us. In hindsight theirs is truly a wondrous achievement both guiding the listener and then imparting the emotional meaning throughout the progression of the various themes. Notably it is on the Visitors that Frida really gives a spectacular rendition of her capabilities with songs like The Visitors, When All is Said and Done, I Let the Music Speak and Like an Angel Passing Though My Room, all bearing witness to that vocalists range and powers of mimicry. It would be unfair and essentially factually incorrect however to ascribe all the virtues of that album to its emotional power alone. The music, the melodies and the harmonies are as good as anything the band had come up with before, while new styles are explored and then performed with aplomb. In the overall reckoning the album forms a key component in the progression from bubble-gum pop fantasy to adult musical maturity and reality. If ABBA was a story then the defining moment is the song "I Let the Music Speak", effectively their final soliloquy. All that follows, including the magnificent The Day Before You Came, can be then viewed as mere epilogue. In contrast to its troubled conception and birth, it is in its maturity that The Visitors has come constitute one of the more revered parts of the ABBA canon. The formers band members can rightfully look back with pride for having put faith in their own artistic capabilities and for producing a work which is both magnificent in itself as well as being oblivious to the times in which it was conceived. Freed of the commercial baggage they produced a work of art which has both meaning and enjoyment in the lives of many living and will do so for many generations to come. For the artist the temporary rewards of commercial success, initially satisfying though they maybe, are as nothing compared to those of art and the immortality that it brings. For the critics and for the rest of us, has not the time finally come when we should acknowledge this album in its rightful place, as one of the finest works ever produced in the history of popular music? "  [+]  Reply

- jomclane | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +8 votes (8 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

164 charts

Rank Score:

787

Rank in 1981:

32

Rank in 1980s:

319

Overall Rank:

2,097

Average Rating:

 74 (217 votes)

Comments:

13

33.

Abacab 

 Genesis

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"With this album, Genesis had finally tipped the scale in favor of pop: they were now more pop than prog, and fans weren't too pleased. I actually like the new direction: every song on here is shamelessly catchy and none of them blow me away musically, but I can still tell that this band that coul...""With this album, Genesis had finally tipped the scale in favor of pop: they were now more pop than prog, and fans weren't too pleased. I actually like the new direction: every song on here is shamelessly catchy and none of them blow me away musically, but I can still tell that this band that could still play and play well. If we had been stuck with a stagnant Genesis, we would've had an endless stream of Wind and Wuthering clones. That wouldn't have been good, IMO - I'll take the pop direction over W&W clones any day of the week. This was a band of songwriters; I have no issue with them writing catchy pop songs, because they already proved they could master prog. Why not let them try to master pop as well? Hint: they would come pretty close to doing just that. I guess I have a different perspective because I was born in 1988. I didn't grow up with this band; I grew up listening to both "eras" of Genesis. In all honesty, I think I respect Genesis more -because- they were able to make the transition to pop quite well. Good songwriters can and should master a variety of genres. Plus, contrary to what some might think, they never completely abandoned their roots. Whodunnit, Like It or Not, and Another Record are pretty bad though. Like I said, there were more duds during this era of Genesis, but the good outweighs the bad."  [+]  Reply

- Deckiller | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

170 charts

Rank Score:

765

Rank in 1981:

33

Rank in 1980s:

324

Overall Rank:

2,140

Average Rating:

 70 (320 votes)

Comments:

15

34.

October 

 U2

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"U2 were not really ready to record a follow up to, boy, as they had no songs, but since they had to, they winged it. It was written on the fly, in the studio, and although there is a lot of energy, is does sound a little short on something. Gloria, is a great opener, and, I fall down, is fine, bu...""U2 were not really ready to record a follow up to, boy, as they had no songs, but since they had to, they winged it. It was written on the fly, in the studio, and although there is a lot of energy, is does sound a little short on something. Gloria, is a great opener, and, I fall down, is fine, but the record just doesn't have the focus and quality of their first album. Having said that, it's still enjoyable, but easily the weakest of their early period. "  [+]  Reply

- garycottier | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

215 charts

Rank Score:

755

Rank in 1981:

34

Rank in 1980s:

329

Overall Rank:

2,157

Average Rating:

 72 (436 votes)

Comments:

25

35.

Fire Of Unknown Origin 

 Blue Öyster Cult

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"As a teenager this vinyl saw a lot of spins and having recently 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."  Reply

- Junomoogmello | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +1 votes (1 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

114 charts

Rank Score:

738

Rank in 1981:

35

Rank in 1980s:

339

Overall Rank:

2,200

Average Rating:

 77 (155 votes)

Comments:

9

36.

4 

 Foreigner

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"Production wise, this album takes Foreigner up a notch. After listening to the first three tracks, three great rockers, you are ready for the ballad Waiting For A Girl Like You. Unfortunately it is followed by the relatively weak Luanne. Side two starts of with one of their best tracks Urgent fol...""Production wise, this album takes Foreigner up a notch. After listening to the first three tracks, three great rockers, you are ready for the ballad Waiting For A Girl Like You. Unfortunately it is followed by the relatively weak Luanne. Side two starts of with one of their best tracks Urgent followed by two excellent rock tracks. Unfortunately it tapers off a little. Foreigner last great effort."  [+]  Reply

- stevengnz | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

184 charts

Rank Score:

704

Rank in 1981:

36

Rank in 1980s:

346

Overall Rank:

2,284

Average Rating:

 72 (232 votes)

Comments:

19

37.

Fair Warning 

 Van Halen

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"Check out this album with an open mind, whether you think you may like Van Halen or not. "Fair Warning" isn't a party like "Van Halen" and doesn't have something for everyone like "1984." It has a cynical, streetwise, skateboard punk attitude, and funk grooves in almost every song. It's been only...""Check out this album with an open mind, whether you think you may like Van Halen or not. "Fair Warning" isn't a party like "Van Halen" and doesn't have something for everyone like "1984." It has a cynical, streetwise, skateboard punk attitude, and funk grooves in almost every song. It's been only a few months since I got the 12 VH albums from iTunes... When I was growing up in the late '90s, I thought of Van Halen as a hard rockin' Bon Jovi... This is much closer to punk. Every song's either very good or great."  [+]  Reply

- CaitlinK | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

158 charts

Rank Score:

663

Rank in 1981:

37

Rank in 1980s:

361

Overall Rank:

2,390

Average Rating:

 75 (267 votes)

Comments:

17

38.

Trust 

 Elvis Costello And The Attractions

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"Trust, tends to be overlooked and certainly underrated, it includes some of Costello's best songs of the eighties. Clubland, is one of his best opening tracks, and it's followed by the brilliant, lovers walk. The highlights on the record though are, the excellent, new lace sleeves, the duet with ...""Trust, tends to be overlooked and certainly underrated, it includes some of Costello's best songs of the eighties. Clubland, is one of his best opening tracks, and it's followed by the brilliant, lovers walk. The highlights on the record though are, the excellent, new lace sleeves, the duet with Glenn Tilbrook, whisper to a scream, and the lovely, you'll never be a man. Different finger, is a foretaste of where Elvis will ago next with his country covers album, almost blue. Shot with his own gun, is also a standout, as is, watch your step. It's definitely not Costello's best record of the eighties, but certainly not his worst either, deserves more attention. "  [+]  Reply

- garycottier | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +5 votes (5 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

167 charts

Rank Score:

657

Rank in 1981:

38

Rank in 1980s:

363

Overall Rank:

2,410

Average Rating:

 77 (204 votes)

Comments:

13

39.

High 'N' Dry 

 Def Leppard

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"I used to own this album back in the day as a kid who listened to hair metal. I don't think I played it much as I don't remember too much about it, maybe the odd thing, bringing on the headache and the great instrumental track. It does sound decent now though, a good nwobhm record, I guess I woul...""I used to own this album back in the day as a kid who listened to hair metal. I don't think I played it much as I don't remember too much about it, maybe the odd thing, bringing on the headache and the great instrumental track. It does sound decent now though, a good nwobhm record, I guess I wouldn't want to listen to what came after this nowadays, when mutt Lange produced them within an inch of their lives and they became cheesy."  [+]  Reply

- Graeme2 | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +2 votes (2 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

129 charts

Rank Score:

651

Rank in 1981:

39

Rank in 1980s:

364

Overall Rank:

2,426

Average Rating:

 73 (168 votes)

Comments:

10

40.

For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) 

 AC/DC

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"Not good as Back In Black yes, but it's still a fine album. The title track, Inject The Venom, and Evil Walks are my favorites."  Reply

- F1Aaron | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +3 votes (3 helpful | 0 unhelpful) A maximum of 5 top-voted qualifying comments are selected for each album. To provide the best experience for visitors, comments are excluded if they refer to data corrections, contain excessive profanity, are written in all caps, are non-English, are too short, consist of conversations between users, or contain lists of best tracks etc.

Year of Release:

1981

Appears in:

183 charts

Rank Score:

647

Rank in 1981:

40

Rank in 1980s:

366

Overall Rank:

2,441

Average Rating:

 70 (320 votes)

Comments:

18

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 4 of 100

Best Albums of 1981 composition

Top 1,000 Top 500 Top 250 Top 100

Artist	Albums	%
Various Artists	15	1%
Frank Zappa	5	0%
Simple Minds	3	0%
Gary Numan	3	0%
Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra	3	0%
Scientist	3	0%
Tangerine Dream	3	0%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	316	32%
	271	27%
	62	6%
	41	4%
	35	3%
	30	3%
	28	3%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	943	94%
Yes	58	6%

Live?	Albums	%
No	969	97%
Yes	32	3%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	992	99%
Yes	9	1%