Best Albums of the 1980s
Listed below are the best albums of the 1980s as calculated from their overall rankings in over 58,000 greatest album charts. (Chart last updated: 1 hour ago).
"82-87 isn't 5 years, it's 6 years, count them. 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87. so it's 8 records full of "noisy trash-songs" in SIX years! it's interesting though how the lowest rating comes from a guy who comments like that, you know this must be good stuff! I don't know what the "unhelpful" votes were ..." [+] Reply
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
685
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"R.E.M.'s best release. The only weak cut is "Stumble". The rest is basically perfect. The songs are energized (even on the sections where things seem to be quiet) to the point where it all sounds psychotic. Stipe's hooks are wonderful and always unpredictable, and Peter Buck's riffs are so good t..." [+] Reply
Year of Release:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
677
Rank in 1982:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"A masterpiece from the late 80s, it was George's big return after five years. Every song has a good atmosphere, and I think it's the album you should listen to from the first until the last song." Reply
Year of Release:
1987
Appears in:
Rank Score:
675
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Average Rating:
Comments:
"I have been listening to this band and this album in particular for about twenty years now... i never tire of them or it... so No 1 for me. One of the greatest underrated bands" Reply
Year of Release:
1986
Appears in:
Rank Score:
671
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Comments:
"The singles are excellent but the rest is a bit ropey. Example : The Piper, The Way Old Friends Do, and Andante Andante charter new depths into how cringe-worthy you can get." Reply
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johnner | 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:
1980
Appears in:
Rank Score:
669
Rank in 1980:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"Hugely successful comeback after the disappointing Soul to Soul. Stevie at his best here, still laying down some blazing blues, but having refined his craft even a step further. He also does a nice job shifting from blues to jazz on the closer, 'Riviera Paradise.'" Reply
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Fischman | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | 0 votes (0 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:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
668
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"Once Upon a Time was embraced by millions of new listeners and was critically well received. It generate four worldwide hit Alive & Kicking, Sanctify Yourself, Ghostdancing and All the Things She Said. It's also a great album." Reply
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
667
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"A good follow up to, Diamond life. Promise, is a much more jazzy affair than it's predecessor with the use of brass much more prominent. Nice performances on this perfect late night, lights down album. Very good." Reply
Year of Release:
1985
Appears in:
Rank Score:
667
Rank in 1985:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"At this point, Phil Collins is the master of his pop/rock craft. He brings back his signature, hard-hitting drum sound, Daryl Stuermer and enlists a few different guests this time around, including eric clapton (on affecting "i wish it would rain down"), david crosby (on socially-aware "another d..." [+] Reply
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paladisiac | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +4 votes (5 helpful | 1 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:
1989
Appears in:
Rank Score:
664
Rank in 1989:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
"My vinyl copy has a stained cover and the vinyl crackles, but I still prefer it to the CD version I bought. I once travelled down to London to see Nick Cave. My abiding memory of that night was seeing Jeffrey Lee Pierce heading away from the bar. I was such a small town boy amazed that someone I ..." [+] Reply
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lancashirearab | Helpful? (Log in to vote) | +4 votes (4 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:
1982
Appears in:
Rank Score:
664
Rank in 1982:
Rank in 1980s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 1,000. Page 36 of 100
Best Albums of the 1980s composition
| Year | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 119 | 12% | |
| 1981 | 119 | 12% | |
| 1982 | 107 | 11% | |
| 1983 | 96 | 10% | |
| 1984 | 100 | 10% | |
| 1985 | 87 | 9% | |
| 1986 | 92 | 9% | |
| 1987 | 87 | 9% | |
| 1988 | 98 | 10% | |
| 1989 | 96 | 10% |
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| The Cure | 10 | 1% | |
| Iron Maiden | 8 | 1% | |
| Depeche Mode | 8 | 1% | |
| The Smiths | 8 | 1% | |
| Rush | 8 | 1% | |
| U2 | 7 | 1% | |
| The Fall | 7 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
| Country | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
 |
414 | 41% | |
 |
392 | 39% | |
 |
40 | 4% | |
 |
27 | 3% | |
 |
22 | 2% | |
 |
20 | 2% | |
 |
12 | 1% | |
| Show all | |||
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We work very hard to ensure our site is as fast (and FREE!) as possible, and we respect your privacy.
