Best Albums of 1986

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Explore the best albums of 1986, based on over 2 million album rankings across 60,000 charts. Last updated: 2 hours ago

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1986 year summaryThe best artists of 1986 were The Smiths, Metallica, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, XTC, Talk Talk, Slayer, R.E.M., Beastie Boys and Depeche Mode.

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The Queen Is Dead

The Smiths

"The Queen Is Dead was the first whole Smiths album I listened to, and it's stuck by me ever since. Every play through since has only increased my love of it, and I've come to see it as a benchmark for most music. The intricacy and detail within the sound of the album, it's excellent lyrical work ...""The Queen Is Dead was the first whole Smiths album I listened to, and it's stuck by me ever since. Every play through since has only increased my love of it, and I've come to see it as a benchmark for most music. The intricacy and detail within the sound of the album, it's excellent lyrical work and the overall form of the record justify my praise. As far as albums go, it's consistent, excellently well paced and incredibly self contained. It's tone, however, is it's zenith; never has bleakness and misery been so well glorified and romanticised, and you can't help but revel in it's sheer potency. Trying to choose a best/worst track for the album is very hard; it covers such a wide range of sounds and styles, from ballards - I Know It's Over/Never Had No One Ever - to jangle pop masterpieces - Cemetery Gates/The Boy With The Thorn In His Side. For me though, there are 4 songs that really stand out for me. It's title track is one of them; it's a driving, powerful, state-of-the-nation address that is vital in setting out the tone of the album. Those opening drum beats only help to convey the urgency of Morrissey's words. 'Bigmouth Strikes Again' is another, and showcases Marr's best guitar playing on the whole album. Despite there being 2 or 3 guitars playing at the same time, every layer feels thoroughly fleshed out and developed. The riff that kicks in at the 50 second mark always gives me goosebumps. I guess, unsurprisingly, 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' is easily my favorite track on the album. It needs little justice; it is, simply put, one of the greatest songs that has ever been written. 'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others' completes the album like the final piece of a Jigsaw; the way it fades off at the end ensures that the gloomy tones are still conveyed right to the end, without leaving the listening feeling unsatisfied. There could not have been a better way to end TQID. For me, it's physical musical achievements only tell one part of the story. They're used exceptionally well to convey the tone and message of the album , which really are its strong points. I've spent a huge amount of time trying to sum up The Queen Is Dead, but like all great albums, it leaves a different impression on everyone. For me, it embodies the message of The Smiths; that there is darkness, sadness and hate in the world, but that it's ok to relish within those feelings. And often, hope and happiness can be found there too. With music this good, it only encourages you to love sadness and enjoy unhappiness. Music doesn't get much better than this." Reply

DeusExMackia | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 7

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

2,504 charts

Rank Score:

31,314

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"For a period of time in the 80s Metallica were at the pinnacle of alternative music. They were innovative, edgy, controversial, and above-all, relevant to a groundswell of angry youths wanting to rebel against a generally aloof, removed ruling class. Ironically, when grunge came about, Metallica'..." Reply

Strangel | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 4

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

1,303 charts

Rank Score:

12,041

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"I've been listening to this record for a while and I can't understand how people see it as one best albums of its decade. Sure, it has some good tunes like Boy in the Bubble or the title theme, but half of the album is uninteresting filling-music. Plus, its awful how it sound so "world-music" wit..." Reply

JoaoMoreira | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 4

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

1,148 charts

Rank Score:

10,361

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

121

Average Rating:

81 (1,374 votes)

Comments:

Peter Gabriel

"Listening to this album again after some time and looking at some of the reviews on this site and others I have the following comments. Firstly do not judge this album by the the 'commercial hits', 'Sledgehammer' and 'Big Time', these are not the best tracks on the album. Several listens are requ..." Reply

Goliath | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 4

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

839 charts

Rank Score:

7,183

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

210

Average Rating:

80 (954 votes)

Comments:

Skylarking

XTC

"These songwriters possess some of the greatest melodic sense of anyone, in any era. Some say Beatlesque, but I find it closer to Brian Wilson. This album is like a cross between Pet Sounds and Odyssey and Oracle, which is high praise. I almost want to dock it a notch for including 'Dear God' afte..." Reply

- ninecurses | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 4

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

601 charts

Rank Score:

4,446

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

"The first album in the Talk Talk 5 star holy trinity (1986 'The Colour of Spring' , 1988 'Spirit of Eden' , 1991 'Laughing Stock') with each great album better than the next and ending with the closing masterpiece. Start here and work forward to hear some of the greatest music of our times Note: ..." Reply

Brad1770 | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 3

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

485 charts

Rank Score:

3,979

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

411

Average Rating:

80 (585 votes)

Comments:

Reign In Blood

Slayer

"I remember the cassette version had both the A and B sides of the LP on each side. It was THAT fast and furious. Pure smash mouthed aggression, the likes of which had never been heard before." Reply

Decurso | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 3

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

523 charts

Rank Score:

3,611

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

464

Average Rating:

79 (714 votes)

Comments:

Lifes Rich Pageant

R.E.M.

"Outstanding album from one of the decade's best bands. Consistent excellence all the way through." Reply

- Rivera | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 5

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

526 charts

Rank Score:

3,428

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

Average Rating:

Comments:

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

- Pegleg | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 6

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

628 charts

Rank Score:

3,278

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

Overall Rank:

529

Average Rating:

77 (872 votes)

Comments:

10.

Black Celebration

Depeche Mode

"This is a really solid synth-pop album with dark, nocturnal vibe. Title track sets the atmosphere right in the beginning and it is followed by fantastic Fly On The Windscreen. Then we have very danceable, sensual Question Of Lust, that has this esoteric vibe. Another highlight for me is Question ..." Reply

- mv3k | Helpful? (Log in to vote) · 1

Year of Release:

1986

Appears in:

383 charts

Rank Score:

2,685

Rank in 1986:

Rank in 1980s:

101

Overall Rank:

634

Average Rating:

78 (514 votes)

Comments:

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Total albums: 1,000. Page 1 of 100

Best Albums of 1986 composition

Artist	Albums	%

Various Artists	26	3%
Wham!	3	0%
The Residents	3	0%
Frank Zappa	3	0%
Swans	3	0%
Linda Ronstadt	2	0%
Hajime Mizoguchi	2	0%
Show all

Country	Albums	%

	381	38%
	265	27%
	41	4%
	40	4%
	29	3%
	28	3%
	25	3%
Show all

Compilation?	Albums	%
No	916	92%
Yes	84	8%

Live?	Albums	%
No	965	97%
Yes	35	4%

Soundtrack?	Albums	%
No	979	98%
Yes	21	2%

Best Albums of 1986 chart changes

Biggest climbers Biggest climbers in top 100 since last month
Up 23 from 121st to 98th 輪廻交響楽 [Ecophony Rinne] by 芸能山城組 [Geinoh Yamashirogumi]
Up 3 from 82nd to 79th True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
Up 2 from 89th to 87th Whispering Jack by John Farnham

Biggest fallers Biggest fallers in top 100 since last month
Down 3 from 79th to 82nd Dois by Legião Urbana
Down 2 from 88th to 90th Element Of Light by Robyn Hitchcock And The Egyptians
Down 1 from 29th to 30th Born Sandy Devotional by The Triffids

New entries New entries in top 100 since last month
Up 23 from 121st to 98th 輪廻交響楽 [Ecophony Rinne] by 芸能山城組 [Geinoh Yamashirogumi]

Leavers Leavers from top 100 since last month
Down 2 from 100th to 102nd 17 RE by Litfiba

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