Best Albums of 1986

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1.

The Queen Is Dead 

 The Smiths

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"The Queen is Dead has an allure that no other album can match, what other lp can you reach for, when to put it simpy, no other will do? Who else in the music industry but Morrissey could dare to write a love song as suicidally but as beautifully pessimistic as 'I Know It's Over'? And this is the ...""The Queen is Dead has an allure that no other album can match, what other lp can you reach for, when to put it simpy, no other will do? Who else in the music industry but Morrissey could dare to write a love song as suicidally but as beautifully pessimistic as 'I Know It's Over'? And this is the crux: the reason why the album and The Smiths were loved so much was because Morrissey laid bare and SANG the insecurities, paranoias, and foibles, that most people like to keep hidden under their mask of 'normality'. That and the fact that Marr was very literally on fire and the songs were the very best to have been written (how can There's a Light That Never Goes Out not be one of the greatest songs ever written?). The Queen is Dead is a masterpiece."  [+]  Reply

- johnner | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +18 votes (19 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:

1986

Appears in:

2,494 charts

Rank Score:

32,704

Rank in 1986:

1

Rank in 1980s:

1

Overall Rank:

16

Average Rating:

 88 (2,939 votes)

Comments:

265

2.

Master Of Puppets 

 Metallica

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"What an incredible album this is! The emotion and power that is driven across to the listener is mesmerising and the sheer talent on display is fantastic. The energy never slows throughout the whole record and it is extremely powerful and can so easily dominate you. This is mainly due to the inst...""What an incredible album this is! The emotion and power that is driven across to the listener is mesmerising and the sheer talent on display is fantastic. The energy never slows throughout the whole record and it is extremely powerful and can so easily dominate you. This is mainly due to the instrumental performances we get which are just astounding. The highlight of this is the guitar work with the incredible riffs and phenomenal solos we get on tracks like Battery, Orion and of course Master Of Puppets with this being the best song on the album. It is 8 minutes of pure energy and emotion that stuns me every time I listen to it both in the context of the album and outside of it. Then there is the drum work which is brilliantly frantic yet controlled at the same time and make all songs pack that extra punch behind them. I am also a massive fan of the vocal work on this record and it is one of the best metal voices I have ever heard. However, for me I do have to be in a certain mood to listen to an hour worth of metal music as it is difficult to keep up with the intensity. Also, the second half isn't as memorable as the first and it does feel a little bit slower in comparison. Overall, this is one of, if not the best, metal album ever made and it is a must listen for any music fan regardless of whether you like the genre or not. "  [+]  Reply

- Untitled | 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:

1986

Appears in:

1,290 charts

Rank Score:

12,493

Rank in 1986:

2

Rank in 1980s:

12

Overall Rank:

93

Average Rating:

 83 (1,849 votes)

Comments:

119

3.

Graceland 

 Paul Simon

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"Not just a wondrous fusion of South African and World music, but truly some of the best song writing ever. There's a certain magic to this album - I'm not exactly sure where it comes from, perhaps from Simon's voice, the gentle and bright sound of the album, or perhaps just the warmth that seems ...""Not just a wondrous fusion of South African and World music, but truly some of the best song writing ever. There's a certain magic to this album - I'm not exactly sure where it comes from, perhaps from Simon's voice, the gentle and bright sound of the album, or perhaps just the warmth that seems to emanate from every track on the album. If you ever need an album to accompany a summer's evening or set a chilled, laid back move, this is the album that'll do it. I should spend some time covering just what an incredible achievement this album was back in its day - the fact that South African culture was being featured on an American release was quite something, and the exposure it gave to these artists and attention it brought to South African culture was huge. Not only is Graceland a excellent album musically, it's excellent for what it achieved. You could, as I have, spend a long time analysing the many fascinating lyrics found throughout the album, but somehow, I don't think that's the point. This albums real power is the warmth of its sound and its incredible ability to relax you and captivate you. It elicits perhaps the most positive emotional response of any piece of music I've ever heard. Every song seems only to build and build on this feeling, and the result is a genuinely magical record. Undoubtedly one of the best albums ever released, perhaps simply for its emotional power, but more so for its wonderful fusion of sounds, feelings and words. "  [+]  Reply

- DeusExMackia | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +6 votes (6 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:

1986

Appears in:

1,147 charts

Rank Score:

10,670

Rank in 1986:

3

Rank in 1980s:

16

Overall Rank:

120

Average Rating:

 81 (1,366 votes)

Comments:

82

4.

So 

 Peter Gabriel

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"For a long time Peter Gabriel and the idea of a commercial breakthrough seemed polar opposites. With So Gabriel suddenly demonstrated that there was a market (again) for intelligent and well crafted songwriting."  Reply

- swhaze | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +7 votes (7 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:

1986

Appears in:

834 charts

Rank Score:

7,246

Rank in 1986:

4

Rank in 1980s:

27

Overall Rank:

215

Average Rating:

 80 (947 votes)

Comments:

63

5.

Skylarking 

 XTC

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"There is no doubt that this is their most accomplished album, in my mind, and as has been said already the track flow seems almost, if not, perfect. Individually all the tracks are 85-95, apart from "Dying", but as a whole it comes into its own and is an album everyone should try. Having said tha...""There is no doubt that this is their most accomplished album, in my mind, and as has been said already the track flow seems almost, if not, perfect. Individually all the tracks are 85-95, apart from "Dying", but as a whole it comes into its own and is an album everyone should try. Having said that I don't love it quite as much as I do their debut album, two totally contrasting styles, the best of their melodic pop versus the best of their punk pop, and, old bloke that I am, my heart goes with the early one."  [+]  Reply

- Rich150 | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +6 votes (6 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:

1986

Appears in:

599 charts

Rank Score:

4,463

Rank in 1986:

5

Rank in 1980s:

52

Overall Rank:

374

Average Rating:

 80 (644 votes)

Comments:

38

6.

The Colour Of Spring 

 Talk Talk

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"I put it on and the first track I was all like "Oh it's all like synthpop" but then this jangly guitar shit started bursting out with all this stand up bass and I was like "WWWWOOOOAAAHHHH" then all these kids started singing out of tune and I was like "WUT THEY OUT OF TUNE" but then I realized T...""I put it on and the first track I was all like "Oh it's all like synthpop" but then this jangly guitar shit started bursting out with all this stand up bass and I was like "WWWWOOOOAAAHHHH" then all these kids started singing out of tune and I was like "WUT THEY OUT OF TUNE" but then I realized Talk Talk were awesome and probably intended that because they're really smart and shit so I was all like "WWWOOOAAAAH TTTAAALLLKKK TTAAALLKK" I was like banging my head as all this orchestration just started coming at me, coming at me just like bam, bam, bam all these drum machines kickin' out these sweet beats like damn those damn sweet beats I was turning that up till Mark Hollis' voice was like god speaking down to earth from heaven, blasting me a euphorial hit of baritone bliss like a strike of lightening from Zeus himself. The rest was pretty good too."  [+]  Reply

- | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +16 votes (16 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:

1986

Appears in:

480 charts

Rank Score:

3,987

Rank in 1986:

6

Rank in 1980s:

59

Overall Rank:

419

Average Rating:

 80 (578 votes)

Comments:

29

7.

Reign In Blood 

 Slayer

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"Oh this album is so much fun. I'm being totally serious. It's heavy, loud, and fast. I have no idea how they can play and sing so fast but it really takes me by storm and makes my adrenaline pump. The high-pitched tales of the terrors of hell are awesomely hilarious. Completely over the top lyric...""Oh this album is so much fun. I'm being totally serious. It's heavy, loud, and fast. I have no idea how they can play and sing so fast but it really takes me by storm and makes my adrenaline pump. The high-pitched tales of the terrors of hell are awesomely hilarious. Completely over the top lyrics, but they fit so well."  [+]  Reply

- dmercado | 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:

1986

Appears in:

519 charts

Rank Score:

3,649

Rank in 1986:

7

Rank in 1980s:

67

Overall Rank:

460

Average Rating:

 79 (710 votes)

Comments:

41

8.

Lifes Rich Pageant 

 R.E.M.

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"I was just talking with my dad the other day about what a great album Lifes Rich Pageant is. We're of very different generations musically, and this is one of those rare points of total agreement. The song he singled out for particular praise was "The Flowers of Guatemala," and I couldn't agree m...""I was just talking with my dad the other day about what a great album Lifes Rich Pageant is. We're of very different generations musically, and this is one of those rare points of total agreement. The song he singled out for particular praise was "The Flowers of Guatemala," and I couldn't agree more; it might be the single greatest song R.E.M. ever recorded. It's a haunting political song about the horrific refugee crisis in Guatemala during the early eighties, largely a product of the Reagan administration's meddling in central American political and military affairs. The song itself is an incredibly warm and compassionate depiction of the refugees affected by this situation, with its evocative metaphor of deadly amanita mushrooms as "flowers." Pete Buck's searing guitar solo in this song gives me goosebumps even now, even after listening to this album for the thousandth time. Just a brilliant piece of work."  [+]  Reply

- buzzdainer | 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:

1986

Appears in:

522 charts

Rank Score:

3,506

Rank in 1986:

8

Rank in 1980s:

73

Overall Rank:

482

Average Rating:

 80 (768 votes)

Comments:

47

9.

Licensed To Ill 

 Beastie Boys

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"One of the best fusions of rock and rap. This album is out of this world!"  Reply

- Pegleg | Helpful?  (Log in to vote) | +6 votes (6 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:

1986

Appears in:

622 charts

Rank Score:

3,304

Rank in 1986:

9

Rank in 1980s:

80

Overall Rank:

530

Average Rating:

 77 (869 votes)

Comments:

45

10.

Black Celebration 

 Depeche Mode

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"This is the album where Depeche Mode really started to discover their sound and start to experiment with a darker undertone. While it would be executed better on later releases, this early dive into more harsh and tense sounds makes for fantastic listening as you really can feel the raw nature of...""This is the album where Depeche Mode really started to discover their sound and start to experiment with a darker undertone. While it would be executed better on later releases, this early dive into more harsh and tense sounds makes for fantastic listening as you really can feel the raw nature of the music and that puts you right at the centre of it all. This creates a state of bliss that is hard to achieve on a lot of albums as when artists develop they start to iron out these little nuances but in my opinion they make the soundscape so unique and that's why this is probably my second favourite DM album. This is helped by the fantastic vocals and stellar song writing that we are treated to. Then they add layers on top of that with a dark and brooding atmosphere that is maintained throughout and you then know you are in for a phenomenal experience. If I had to criticise the record it would be that there are a few weaker tracks with some songs being just okay but none of them are bad enough to take you out of the bubble of the record. Overall, an under rated release in my opinion and is probably the most important album in the artists career and is their second best behind Violator. "  [+]  Reply

- Untitled | 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:

1986

Appears in:

381 charts

Rank Score:

2,648

Rank in 1986:

10

Rank in 1980s:

101

Overall Rank:

645

Average Rating:

 78 (512 votes)

Comments:

29

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 1 of 100

Best Albums of 1986 composition

Top 1,000 Top 500 Top 250 Top 100

Artist	Albums	%
Various Artists	27	3%
Leonard Bernstein / New York Philharmonic	3	0%
The Residents	3	0%
Frank Zappa	3	0%
Swans	3	0%
Tangerine Dream	2	0%
Peter Hammill	2	0%
Show all

Country	Albums	%
	382	38%
	269	27%
	43	4%
	41	4%
	28	3%
	28	3%
	25	2%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	918	91%
Yes	86	9%

Live?	Albums	%
No	970	97%
Yes	34	3%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	983	98%
Yes	21	2%