Have always felt that here in Australia, we were fortunate to have a higher quality than most, when it came to eighties music. Acts like Hoodoo Gurus, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, INXS, The Saints, The Angels, Mental As Anything, Jimmy Barnes, The Go Betweens, Crowded House, Boom Crash Opera, Men At Work, Australian Crawl, Gangajang, Mondo Rock and Dragon among others releasing albums, there was no reason to settle for listening to dross from overseas. Thought The Cult “Electric” or “Sonic Temple”, or Big Country and XTC might have made your list Barry. Nice video sir.
I agree absolutely, 100%. Chuck in "Dark Room" by The Angels and "True Colours" and whatever album "Duncan" is on and your argument is invincibly compelling! 😀
1. On a Storyteller's Night - Magnum 2. Clutching at Straws - Marillion 3. Alpha - Asia 4. Melt - Peter Gabriel 5. Drama - Yes 6. Discipline - King Crimson 7. Duke - Genesis 8. Time - ELO 9. Love Over Gold - Dire Straits 10. Brother Where You Bound - Supertramp
My 80s album list, in no order... -Duran Duran: Rio. A better album as a whole that their detractors give them credit for. Very sensual with Lonely In Your Nightmare. Arty with The Chauffeur. Proof that they were in this for the long haul. The version with the David Kershembaum remixes, longer versions of Hungry Like The Wolf and Hold Back The Rain, is the only one that will do. -Rush: Signals. Moving Pictures gets the huzzahs and rightfully so. But I don't think I've heard drums sound better than this album. An album where they became aware of the musical world around them, namely The Police, and tried to see what they could do with some new influences while still keeping their prog instincts. Great lyrics from Neil as well. -The Stone Roses' debut. Just for I Am The Resurrection alone. Yet there are a whole album's worth of great songs to work with. It's stood the test of time. -Yes: 90125. Their first album with new guitarist Trevor Rabin. This one brought them into the 80s with Trevor's edgier guitar sound. Plus another decade-defining track, like Roundabout in the 70s, in Owner Of A Lonely Heart. Like with Signals, they condensed their prog instincts with the new musical and tech landscape around them -The Cure: Faith. Stretching out some newly dark wings, perfected on Pornography. Key track: All Cats Are Grey, my favorite Cure song. This isn't Sunday brunch music. -Prince: Lovesexy. Where he upped the thematic and compositional complexity. You have to give this multiple listens to "get" it; it's very demanding listening (again, not for a brunch or cleaning your house). He's using more jazzy intonations in his chords. His guitar sound here is my favorite...dark, fuzzy, sustained, complex. -X: More Fun In The New World. Just a great bunch of country-influenced punk songs. Billy Zoom is their MVP. -Depeche Mode: Music For The Masses. If Black Celebration was a little (purposely) thin in its production and sound, then MFTM opened up as if for the stadiums the band later played. I've often wanted to hear this one on ultra huge IMAX speakers, for example. It begs to be played LOUD. It totally envelopes you, helps you get immersed in its sound. Btw, the total story of the album has to include the bonus cuts and remixes, such as Pleasure Little Treasure, Agent Orange, etc ie the cassette version. Still listening to this one after more than 35 years. -Beastie Boys: Paul's Boutique. It's fun to play "spot the sample" with this one. I always feel like I found something new. Fun times
Some of my overlooked faves from the 80's - Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985), Jane's Addiction - Nothing Shocking (1988), Roxy Music - Avalon (1982), Stevie Ray Vaughan - Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984) and King Crimson - Discipline (1981)
A well reasoned 10 choices and your person selection, however, one essential omission as it truly was a thing of beautiful uniqueness: “Treasure” Cocteau Twins 1984
10. The Go-Betweens - Before Hollywood (1983) 9. Pixies - Doolittle (1989) 8. Richard & Linda Thompson - Shoot Out the Lights (1982) 7. Midnight Oil - 10...(1982) 6. Rush - Moving Pictures (1981) 5. The The - Infected (1986) 4. Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980) 3. Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses (1987) 2. The The - Soul Mining (1983) 1. Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985) Honourable mentions: Kate Bush - Hounds of Love (1985) Mission of Burma - Vs (1982) Prince - Purple Rain (1984) Pixies - Surfa Rosa (1988) Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (1988) And everything Iron Maiden released between 1982 and 1988
My picks Bowie-Scary monsters and super freaks Talking heads-Remain in light King crimson-Discipline The police-Ghost in the machine Kate Bush -The dreaming Hounds of love Years for fears-The hurting Pixies -Doolittle Cocteau Twins -Garlands The thing soundtrack. It's either those, or something else
1. 1999 - Prince 2. Heartbeat City - The Cars 3. Moving Pictures - Rush 4. So - Peter Gabriel 5. The Joshua Tree - U2 6. Pretty Hate Machine - Nine Inch Nails 7. Nothing's Shocking - Jane's Addiction 8. Beauty and the Beat - The Go-Go's 9. Rio - Duran Duran 10. Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes
Ten personal favourite '80s albums: DAVID SYLVIAN: Brilliant Trees JOY DIVISION: Closer THE SMITHS: The Queen is Dead TALKING HEADS: Remain in Light NEW ORDER: Movement XTC: English Settlement ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN: Heaven Up Here COCTEAU TWINS: Victorialand SIMPLE MINDS: New Gold Dream THIS MORTAL COIL: Filigree and Shadow A lot more actually (BLUE NILE: A Walk Across The Rooftops; PREFAB SPROUT: Steve McQueen; AZTEC CAMERA: High Land Hard Rain; KATE BUSH: The Dreaming; X: Wild Gift; PIXIES: Doolittle; HAPPY MONDAYS: Bummed; HUSKER DU: Warehouse Songs and Stories; U2: Boy; ELVIS COSTELLO: Trust; THE CLASH: Sandinista; FRANK ZAPPA: You Are What You Is... enough already)
@@CraigHollabaugh coil the band or refering to 4AD artists compilation "this mortal coil " ws a nice idea ,song to a siren from tim buckley was never released in the first this mortal coil album but the first E.P. only from this mortal coil vocals by Elizabeth Frazer from Cocteau twins all great compilations of 4AD artists
The The 's Infected and Killing Joke 's self titled I would suggest as stand out albums from the 80's. Nice to see the Cramps get the recognition they deserve , just a short jump to the Gun Club.
Love your choices from Pretenders and The Smiths. XTC has several stellar releases in the 80s which qualify in my book. Most notably Black Sea (1980) English Settlement (1982) and Skylarking (1986) Also New Model Army, Thunder and Consolation.
the 80´s had so many good albuns released that it´s impossible to refer all, as at the time independent labels were alternative and many released great bands that today are forgoten or better to say younger people couldn´t hear them as they weren´t re-released, most of them but never forgoten by the ones who bought their records
Some of my favorite 80's albums; Fables of the Reconstruction-REM English Settlement-XTC Strong Persuader-Robert Cray The Blue Mask-Lou Reed Warehouse-Husker Du Hex Enduction Hour-The Fall Hounds of Love-Kate Bush Youth of America-Wipers Tim-The Replacements Unforgettable Fire-U2
I would guess Kate Bush doesn't qualify because of the criteria stated. She had been around since the 70s, otherwise Hounds Of Love would definitely be in my Ten. So too The Dreaming. Maybe even The Sensual World.
Here's 12 quickly and indiscriminately selected: 12. Raising Hell - Run DMC 11. Paul's Boutique - Beastie Boys 10. The First Born is Dead - Nick Cave 9. Gravity - James Brown 8. New Day Rising - Husker Du (Take your pick with Husker Du. They had a new album out every month back then and they were all great) 7. It Takes A Nation of Millions - Public Enemy 6. Spring Hill Fair - Go-Betweens (at least 4 Gobies albums belong on this list - This one, 16 Lovers Lane, Liberty Belle and Tallulah) 5. Aura - Miles Davis 4. Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - The Dead Kennedys 3. Like A Virgin - Madonna 2. Born Sandy Devotional - Triffids 1. Sign O'The Times - Prince Honorable mentions: Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth because I didn't like it than but am finally getting it no, 35 years on Rio: Duran Duran. Because it feels liberating to actually be able to finally say how brilliant this is, especially side A. Rooms of The Magnificent by Ed Kuepper. Local boy makes good. I had to edit to remove one because it was in the 70's
Tears for fears-The Hurting, Oingo Boingo-Nothing to Fear, Motley Crue-Too Fast for Love, Rem-Lifes Rich Pageant, AC/DC- Back in Black, Black Sabbath- Heaven and Hell, David Bowie-Scary Monsters, The Cure-Fascination Street, Tom Petty-Damn the Torpedos, Deep Purple-Perfect Strangers.
1. Born Sandy Devotional (1986) The Triffids 2. Gossip (1986) Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls. 3. Kick (1987) INXS 4. 16 Lovers Lane (1988) The Go-Betweens 5. Junkyard (1982) The Birthday Party (Nick Cave) 6. Human Frailty (1986) Hunters and Collectors 7. Stoneage Romeos (1984) Hoodoo Gurus 8. Starfish (1988) The Church (Under the Milky Way) 9. Quasimodo's Dream (1981) The Reels. 10. Sunnyboys (1981) The Sunnyboys. The best of Australia. There's more than the UK and North America.
Now that's a bloody good list! Sunnyboys are legends! I took 16LL off my list and replaced it with Spring Hill Fair and I have a soft spot for Shaboo Shabah as the pinnacle of the Mark Opitz Sound. But great, great list nonetheless.
I completely agree. That album has beautifully crafted songs. A swirl of keyboards, excellent guitars and a strong pulsing bass. Also love the early releases Real to Reel Cacophony and Empires and Dance.
Hi, new sub here. have watched a few vids and i am impressed. love the delivery and the diversity of choices you make. i think we are going to get on very well :)
@@classicalbum a pleasure, just started watching music collection part 2, will explore catalogue further. the thing about RUclips is sorting the wheat from the chaff.
Doolittle is an undersung masterpiece. Nirvana clearly took so many elements from this: the loud/quiet/loud dynamics, desperate vocal screams, and ping-ponging basslines, just to name a few. The Joshua Tree struck a perfect balance between epic, accessible songs and real intimacy and darkness. For an 80s album, the production is so tasteful and that has helped it age beautifully. Purple Rain is just incredible - not one weak track on it. It sounded great then and it sounds great now. As always, very elegant, articulate commentary here. Great job!
I love Purple Rain, but it does not sound great today, at least not timeless like..say..Sign “☮️” the Times does. Purple Rain has amazing songs, but it sound’s AGGRESSIVELY 80s, and sounds rather dated by today’s standards.
Love your vids , partly because of your content, partly due to your voice lol😮. I’m happy to find a video of yours that is current and not yrs old. I am a new inductie to your channel and thought perhaps you stopped and all I could find were couple yrs old. Also great to see I own all those records but the Cramps. Not bad eh?
The Pretenders/Pixies/R.E.M and or course The Smiths! NOW your talking my language! It used to be “The Queen Is Dead” for me but now in hindsight I prefer the compilations “Hatful Of Hollow” and “Louder Than Bombs” as they are much more enjoyable to listen to than and more expansive than tqid, But I still remember how I felt when I first heard “I Know It’s Over” for the first time when I was 17 (how low can you go before you feel like this?!) Thank you for this surprising video! I honestly thought it would just be 80’s releases from AC/DC and Jethro Tull and Kiss, but you amazed me with your nod to the alternative side of rock!!!!
Kate Bush's "The Dreaming" is a essential 80ies album for me. It was also the great era of Andy Partridge with XTC albums like 'The Black Sea', 'English Settlement', 'Skylarking' and 'Oranges and Lemons'. The pop king and queen of the eighties must undoubtebly be Annie and Dave from Eurythmics.
It does seem a shame to leave Kate out of the running, she had four great albums in the 80s! She is a unique and extremely creative songwriter / performer.
That's a good list. I have five of those albums in my collection so I'm feeling quite smug now. Just a correction re The Pretenders, Jim Scott died before Pete Farndon.
David Sylvian alone produced 4 of the great 80's albums in Brilliant Trees, Gone to Earth, Secrets of the Beehive and Rain Tree Crow's eponymous album. Spirit of Eden by Talk Talk was perhaps the best album of the whole 80's. its a work of genius. Another genius working in that era was Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout. Their album From Langley Park to Memphis is also a great album. I guess Kate Bush is not an 80's artist but the hounds of Love was released mid 80's
Talking Heads - Remain in Light Prince - Purple Rain Kate Bush - Hounds of Love Peter Gabriel - 3 The Blue Nile - A Walk Across the Rooftops Pixies - Doolittle U2 - The Joshua Tree David Bowie - Scary Monsters Jane’s Addiction - Nothing’s Shocking Roxy Music - Avalon And so many more
Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986) Iron Maiden - Powerslave (1984) Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear (1983) New Order - Substance (1986) Killing Joke - Killing Joke (1980) Ultravox - Quartet (1982) Metallica - Master Of Puppets (1986) David Bowie - Scary Monsters and Super Creeps (1980) Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
Yeah, there are a lot of great metal albums from the 80s. I'm not sure if he delves too deeply into them though. I'd also include King Diamond's Abigail.
I didn't realize how hard it was to do a top 10 until I started my list. I have a ton of honorable mentions and I'm probably forgetting a bunch of great stuff, but here goes (only doing on per artist because most of these bands have a few albums that could make the list)... 10. Hunters & Collectors - Human Frailty 9. The Smithereens - Especially For You 8. Rain Parade - Emergency Third Rail Power Trip 7. Hoodoo Gurus - Mars Needs Guitars 6. 5440 - Self Titled 5. Let’s Active - Cypress 4. The Fall - Bend Sinister 3. New Order - Brotherhood 2. Husker Du - Warehouse Songs and Stories 1. The Replacements - Tim Honorable Mentions: The Church - Heyday, The Cult - Love, Stone Roses - S/T, Iron Maiden - Killers, Depeche Mode - Black Celebration, Camper Van Beethoven - S/T, The Beat - Special Beat Service, The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead, Love and Rockets - Express, Pixies - Doolittle, Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain, U2 - The Joshua Tree, The Woodentops - Giant, XTC - Skylarking, Guadalcanal Diary - Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man, Love Tractor - Themes From Venus
The Blue Nile - A Walk Across The Rooftops Thomas Dolby - The Flat Earth Cocteau Twins - Heaven Or Las Vegas Scritti Politti - Cupid & Psyche 85 David Sylvian - Secrets Of The Beehive Talking Heads - Remain In Light Jon Hassell / Brian Eno - Possible Musics Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions The Sugarcubes - Life's Too God The Sundays - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Anthrax - Among The Living Coil - Horse Rotorvator Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine...
When I listen to a Cure album, it's always 1989's Disintegration! That album hooked me in but I understand your point regarding your choice. The Joshua Tree is a solid album, but like yourself, I usually queue up 1991's Achtung Baby, which is their best by far! Cheers
You got the Smiths right, but some of those choices... phew. REM yes, but Murmur. U2 yes, but War. And the one glaring omission for me here... Replacements, Tim or Let It Be.
Good list, Barry! Have to admit I’m not familiar with all of these albums, but the ones I am I quite like. Sticking to your rule of only counting artists who started in the 1980s (which I presume means releasing their first studio album in 1980 or later), my own favorite albums of the decade (in no particular order) are thus: The Cure - Disintegration (so you prefer the first of “The Trilogy” and I prefer the second; fair enough) X - Wild Gift (could’ve picked any of the first three X albums, honestly; I love them all) The Fixx - Reach the Beach (easily my favorite of the so-called “second British Invasion” bands) Metallica - Master of Puppets Asia (self-titled) Men At Work - Business As Usual Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair INXS - Kick Europe - Wings of Tomorrow (an album no one expected to see on anyone’s list I’m sure, but I’ve owned it for 35 years and I still love it; holds up for me way better than The Final Countdown) Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream Not claiming by any stretch that those are the “best” albums of the 80s, but they’re all albums that I’ve listened to on the regular for decades and still enjoy as much as ever, which is all that really matters to me. If 80s albums by 70s artists were allowed on the list, then I’d also have to consider Moving Pictures, Fair Warning, So, Escape (Journey), Time (ELO), Synchronicity, and Heartbeat City, so that restriction actually made picking out a list a lot easier for me!
A Secret Wish, Propaganda Brilliant Trees, David Sylvian Stop Making Sense, Talking Heads I Approached Masked, Fripp Sumners Fried, Julian Cope Kilimanjaro, The Teardrop Explodes Travelogue, The Human League New Gold Dream, Simple Minds A Walk Across The Rooftops, The Blue Nile Nothing Like The Sun, Sting English Settlement, XTC Compilations: All Of This & Nothing, Psychedelic Furs (?) Songs To Learn & Sing, Echo & The Bunnymen For me the 80's is more a singles decade especially the 12" remixes which became a scene of its own. Pretenders first album is a classic and like a lot of my own selections most of the credible 80s acts started in the late 70s. Like Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush who both started in the 70s but with their 80s work progressed on to new areas in music influencing a lot. Peter Gabriel 3 onwards and Kate Bush The Dreaming and Hounds of Love all iconic 80s albums by those two, fairlight experiments etc.
Late to the party here, but while chasing girls, I got many of them to dig these with me. They all were well-produced, too - and some of the remixes are even better: 1. Joe Jackson - Night and Day 2. Don Henley - I Can't Stand Still 3. George Harrison - Cloud 9 4. Supertramp - Brother Where You Bound 5. Boston - Third Stage 6. Bruce Hornsby - Scenes from the Southside 7. /Rush - Moving Pictures 8. Yes - Big Generator 9. Genesis - Duke 10. Elton John - Live in Australia
My list. 01 Talking Heads - Remain In Light 02 Simple Minds - New Gold Dream 03 U2 - The Joshua Tree 04 The Cure - The Head On The Door 05 Siouxsie & The Banshees - Juju 06 Scorpions - Blackout 07 Duran Duran - Rio 08 The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead 09 Metallica - Ride The Lightning 10 Tina Turner - Private Dancer
Without particular order : "Music For The Masses" (Depeche Mode), "Killers" (Iron Maiden), "Sports" (Huey Lewis and The News), "Disintegration" (The Cure), "Diesel And Dust" (Midnight Oil), "Welcome To the Pleasure Dome" (Frankie goes To Hollywood), "1987" (Whitesnake), "The Seeds Of Love" (Tears For Fears), "Trash" (Alice Cooper), "Night Time" (Killing Joke), "Ninety" (808 State), "Strange Kind Of Love" (Love And Money), "Cosmic Thing" (The B52's).
This list endorses why I think the 80’s is possibly the worst decade in music. Coming out of the 70’s which was a tapestry of genres, prog, disco, glam, punk, krautrock, avante garde etc, into the bland and uninteresting dross that was music in the ‘80’s was a shock to the system, your ten releases just confirmed what a dire decade for music it was.
The 80s was a dreadful decade for classic guitar oriented music. For electronic and synth oriented pop, as well as related new wave genres, it was a golden age.
I'll give you a top 20 based on numbers of plays over the last few years. 31 plays won it, with 14 plays in 20th place. Overall, I think the 1980s were disappointing for music. 31 plays would put these albums in joint 20th place in my list of albums from the 1970s. 1= So - Peter Gabriel 1= Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson 3= Common One - Van Morrison 3= Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt) - Peter Gabriel 5 The Nightfly - Donald Fagen 6 The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses 7= Catholic Boy - Jim Carroll Band 7= Hounds of Love - Kate Bush 9= No Guru, No Method, No Teacher - Van Morrison 9= Sign o' The Times - Prince 11 Graceland - Paul Simon 12 Ocean Rain - Echo & The Bunnymen 13 Love Over Gold - Dire Straits 14= Lady Day & Prez 1937-1941 - Billie Holiday & Lester Young 14= The Joshua Tree - U2 14= The River - Bruce Springsteen 17= I Just Can't Stop It - The Beat 17= Live In New Orleans - Maze 17= Steve McQueen - Prefab Sprout 20= Live At The Harlem Square - Sam Cooke 20= Making Movies - Dire Straits 20= Never For Ever - Kate Bush 20= Snap - The Jam There aren't many surprises here. Probably the least well known is the album by the Jim Carroll Band. This is like a cross between Lou Reed and Television. Marillion were unlucky to miss out as they have two albums missing the list by one play. I always look for albums I don't know, so here are a few others that could bounce into my top 20 with one or two more plays: Boat To Bolivia - Martin Stephenson & The Dainties So Far - Bob Theil The Doubtful Handshake - Terry & The Pirates
Hey Barry. Another great show. I'm now starting to be able to follow your trail of breadcrumbs that leads me to understanding your taste in music. It's interesting for me because it differs in many ways from mine. To sprinkle a small trail of breadcrumbs for albums that I enjoy, here's my top 5 for the year 1983 only. (40 years ago) #5-UNDERCOVER by THE ROLLING STONES #4-ELIMINATOR by ZZ TOP #3-SHOUT AT THE DEVIL by MOTLEY CRUE #2-PYROMANIA by DEF LEPPARD #1-LIVING IN OZ by RICK SPRINGFIELD
1. Spirit of Eden - Talk Talk 2. Isn't Anything - My Bloody Valentine 3. The Head on the Door - The Cure 4. Doolittle - Pixies 5. You're Living All Over Me - Dinosaur Jr 6. Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth 7. Victorialand - The Cocteau Twins 8. Psychocandy - The Jesus and Mary Chain 9. The Queen is Dead - The Smiths 10. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
My Top ten includes many Canadian Bands: 1. Queen City Kids - Black Box 2. Orphan - Lonely At Night 3. Kick Axe - Vices 4. Killer Dwarfs - Big Deal 5. Bryan Adams - Reckless 6. Madam X - We Reserve The Right 7. Quiet Riot - Metal Health 8. Pink Floyd - The Final Cut 9. Iron Maiden - Powerslave 10. Metallica - ...And Justice For All Thank you for your list, I really enjoy The Cure, Adam and the Ants and U2 as well. I could have made a bigger list as well. So many great bands in the 80's.
The Associates's classic Sulk album, The Blue Niles beautiful Hats record, Talk Talk's Colour Of Spring and The The's Infected are a few of my personal faves but a fantastic list nonetheless! There is some real gold to be mined from this often musically much maligned decade.
Good choices but... I think you missed out, Kate Bush - 'The Dreaming' & 'Hounds of Love', The THE - 'Infected' and 'Mind Bomb', two of the greatest albums of the 1980's. King Crimson - 'Discipline' (all three primary colour albums are great). Thomas Dolby - 'The Flat Earth' and 'Aliens Ate My Buick', The Cure - 'Head On The Door' and 'The Top' were also great albums, imho. I'd also have to give a honourable mention to, Frank Zappa - 'You Are What You Is' & 'Joe's Garage I, II & III', and Captain Beefheart - 'Doc At The Radar Station' & 'Ice Cream For Crow' (an album that is still very influential)
Now I've had time to think, there are a lot of great albums released in the 1980's... I'd also like to add any of these as contenders for top 10 of the decade:- Talking Heads - 'Remain in Light', 'Speaking In Tongues' The Stranglers - 'The Gospel According to the Meninblack'. The Clash - 'Sandinista!' Public Enemy - 'It Takes A Nation Of Millions'. Sonic Youth - 'Daydream Nation'. Tom Waits - 'Rain Dogs'. The Pogues - 'Rum Sodomy & The Lash' Talk Talk - 'Spirit of Eden'. Peter Gabriel - 'Peter Gabriel' (melt) Bowie - 'Scary Monsters', 'Let's Dance'. Prince - '1999', 'Sign 'O' The Times'. Ozzy Osborne - 'Blizzard of Ozz'. Metallica - 'Master of Puppets'. Michael Jackson - 'Thriller', 'Off The Wall' (1979 but has the 1980's written all over it) . The Cure - 'Disintegration'. TOTO - IV. I'm sure there are lots more...
I'd have chosen Disintegration for the Cure, Document for REM, Joshua Tree is spot on, Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, Back in Black by AC/DC, Suicidal Tendencies first album, Motorhead's Ace of Spades, 90215 by Yes, Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath, Speaking in Tongues by Talking Heads & Tattoo You by the Rolling Stones.
Cocteau Twins - Treasure My Bloody Valentine -Isn't Anything Just a couple that spring to mind. Cheers for the recommendations - I'll be giving it a listen
From a marillion fan since 1983: Clutching at straws is much better than script for a jester's tear. Misplaced childhood also. Fugazi and script are similar.
Interesting list. I'm not a big fan of The Pretenders, but Learning to Crawl is for me a formidable comeback with a Chrissy Hynde at the peak of her writing abilities, inspired by the loss of her band, and Learning to Crawl has the line up I liked the most. My list: 1. Peter Gabriel - So 2. Paul McCartney - Tug of War 3. Roxy Music - Avalon 4. Prince - Sign O The Times 5. Pixies - Doolittle 6. Tin Machine - Tin Machine (David Bowie's return to life). 7. U2 - Unforgettable Fire 8. The Blue Nile - A Walk Across the Rooftops 9. Dire Straits - Love Over Gold 10. The Police - Synchronicity
Others that some of the viewers might like: The The | Soul Mining The Church | Star Fish Ed Keupper | Today Wonder , is also a great Australian album, but is hard to find physically or online. A real gem. And a largely unknown Australian\New Zealand band and album, but has some great sounds and moments… Schnell Fenster | The Sound of Trees , originally released in the late 1980’s. This one is on most streaming services.
Prince made a load of great albums in the 80s. Parade is my favourite. I would have gone for meat is murder over queen is dead but its all splitting hairs! I would put Los Angeles by X in there too. Great list.
Nice to hear Kings of the Wild Frontier getting an honourable mention - that was the first album I ever owned. I think I was only 9 when I was given it as a present - along with my first record player - and I would play it obsessively. I knew every second of that album. I loved it. In fact, it was the only album I owned until I was given Queen Greatest Hits a year or two later, and then I would listen to both of them obsessively. Regarding your top 10: Kate Bush is my favourite artist, and I'd have to have Hounds of Love on my list. Also Bowie's Scary Monsters. And Talk Talk's Spirit of Eden is one of my favourite albums, so would have to be on my list.
For bands steeped in the 80s I would add Simple Minds - New Gold Dream, ABC - Lexicon of Love and OMD - Architecture and Morality, although I do agree with all your selections
Fascinating video. A lot of people slag off the 80s and to be fair there was a lot of vapid dross, but there was rubbish in every decade. If we ignore those artists who have had very long careers Springsteen’s Tunnel of Love, Gabriel’s So and Simon’s Graceland would all be there, here’s my suggestions: 1. Joy Division:Closer 2. The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead 3. Talk Talk: Spirit Of Eden 4. REM: Murmur 5. Prince: Sign O The Times 6. New Order: Low Life 7. Marc Almond: The Stars We Are 8. Joe Jackson: Night & Day 9. Cocteau Twins: Blue Bell Knoll 10. David Sylvian: Secrets Of The Beehive
Just when I thought I'd kinda know what you'd pick, you done surprised me again! For me, my list would start with Texas Flood, Spirit of Eden, Speaking in Tongues, Moving Pictures, So, and Brothers in Arms. Then add Head on the Door, Substance, Lifes Rich Pagent and Avalon (mentions Tracy Chapman, Lyle Lovett, Let's Dance) Thanks for your list, I'll queue yours up for my afternoon in the shop.
Surprised but pleased to see both the Roses and TQID there, probably my top 2 from the decade, though I’d probably have Hounds of Love in there too - the proggiest non-prog album that ever progged.
Interesting choices. I would include the powerfull 1980s Killing Jokes self titled. .Glad you mentioned KOTWF.....Ant Invasion and Killer In The Home go together so perfectly.
I’ll give you a few Barry. Blue sky Mining by Midnight Oil, Gypsy Blood by Mason Ruffner, Texas Flood SRV, You can’t do that on Stage all volumes by FZ. I agree with you on the Pretenders. Loved that guitar sound. Chrissy loved the Kinks so much she married Ray Davies. Ouch! I think Clutching for Straws wraps up the 80’s angst wise. When the fun is over so to say. I never got the Cure. Great review thank you.
Hounds of Love, Skylarking, Spirit of Eden, Victorialand, Greener Postures, The Serpent's Egg, Fried, Psychic... Powerless... Another Man's Sac, Closer, The Girl Who Was... Death
I was too busy chasing cracking birds with ace bristols and drinking cans of Quattro to listen to whole albums in the 80s. I might have bought the occasional single from Woollies, mind. What a wally.
......Oh a cheers for the inclusion of “The Stone Roses” self titled debut! You’ve got to love that where I come from (as it’s virtually a criminal offence not to in Manchester!) Not much keen on the follow up “The Second Coming” though, It’s just John Squire having a Led Zep moment and being a bit self indulgent, proving that for some bands they REALLY could never better their debut!!!!
Such an excellent list! Marillion's Script For a Jester's Tear is such an fantastic album, and so is R.E.M.'s Life's Rich Pageant. I can't believe I never got the "Buffalo Bill" pun after all those years. While The Joshua Tree album is certainly a masterpiece, the 80's album by U2 that I listen to the most often is War, which features two of the most overlooked masterpieces that U2 ever wrote, Like a Song and Drowning Man, which are both fantastic songs. Pornography by The Cure is certainly also a fantastic album, but I personally find myself listening to Disintegration and Faith, far more often. I love the atmosphere of Faith, which is such a contrast to the chaotic intensity of Pornography. I would probably have included Midnight Oil's excellent Diesel and Dust, as well as Ein kleines bisschen Horrorschau by Die Toten Hosen, which is a fantastic album.
Some time ago I read somewhere that Australian rocker Kim Salmon was the forerunner of grunge and is credited with coming up with he term. Also, apparently the Australian band Buffalo with their 1973 album Volcanic Rock was influential on USA grunge bands particularly the track Freedom which sounds like Soundgarden.
I'm late to the party with this, but ho hum: - Rattlesnakes- Lloyd Cole and the Commotions Daydream Nation- Sonic Youth Doolittle- The Pixies Daddy's Highway- the Bats Joshua Tree- U2 16 Lovers Lane- The Go-Betweens You Can't Hide Your Love Forever- Orange Juice A Walk Across The Rooftops- The Blue Nile Stop Making Sense- Talking Heads Fisherman's Blues- The Waterboys
Joy Division / Closer New Order / Movement Tuxedomoon / Desire Pere Ubu / Cloudland Shriekback / Oil & Gold Cramps / Songs The Lord Taught Us John Cale / Artificial Intelligence Pixies / Doolittle The Flying Lizards / Fourth Wall David Bowie / Scary Monsters
80s my favourite era due to being aged 10-19 during this decade, my own top 10 albums of this period would be (and I'll limit it to one per artist otherwise it would all be Big Country and Smiths albums haha) 1. The Crossing - Big Country 2. The Queen is Dead - Smiths 3. Ocean Rain - Echo & The Bunnymen 4. Darklands - Jesus & Mary Chain 5. London 0 Hull 4 - Housemartins 6. Sparkle in the Rain - Simple Minds 7. A Blues for Buddha - Silencers 8. Hipsway - Hipsway 9. Stone Roses - Stone Roses 10. Talking with the Taxman about Poetry - Billy Bragg Bubbling under - The River (Bruce Springsteen), Strange Kind of Love (Love & Money), Sunshine on Leith (Proclaimers), Heartland (Runrig), Strength (The Alarm), Guitar Town (Steve Earle) and many, MANY more. What a decade.
Good picks Barry, a few that come to mind to me Kate Bush “The Dreaming” The Damned “Strawberries” Siouxsie and The Banshees “Ju Ju” Echo and The Bunnymen “Ocean Rain” Icicle Works “Icicle Works” The Jam “Sound Effects” Bauhaus “In The Flat Field” Sisters Of Mercy “Floodland” Marillion “Clutching At Straws” PiL “Album”
Lots of good choices in the comments, so rather than a top 10, just a few that haven't been mentioned. They Might Be Giants - Lincoln Ministry - The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste Midnight Oil - Diesel And Dust (if The Pretenders count as an 80's band, so do they) Men At Work - Cargo (Just the presence of Overkill justifies it, but I really like this album) Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime Oingo Boingo - Good For Your Soul Living Color - Vivid Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother's Milk Pet Shop Boys - Actually Thomas Dolby - The Golden Age of Wireless
Some excellent choices here. Amazing all the memories these albums conjure up. 👍 My top 10 would be: 1. Robert Plant - The Principle Of Moments 2. Big Country - The Crossing 3. Peter Gabriel - 3: Melt 4. Siouxsie And The Banshees - Kaleidoscope 5. Iron Maiden - Killers 6. U2 - War 7. The Sisters Of Mercy - First And Last And Always 8. Magnum - Wings Of Heaven 9. Mike Oldfield - Crises 10. Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers
![Gucci Mane & Sexyy Red - You Don't Love Me [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j7IBqyFKT4c/mqdefault.jpg)
Have always felt that here in Australia, we were fortunate to have a higher quality than most, when it came to eighties music. Acts like Hoodoo Gurus, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, INXS, The Saints, The Angels, Mental As Anything, Jimmy Barnes, The Go Betweens, Crowded House, Boom Crash Opera, Men At Work, Australian Crawl, Gangajang, Mondo Rock and Dragon among others releasing albums, there was no reason to settle for listening to dross from overseas. Thought The Cult “Electric” or “Sonic Temple”, or Big Country and XTC might have made your list Barry. Nice video sir.
I agree absolutely, 100%. Chuck in "Dark Room" by The Angels and "True Colours" and whatever album "Duncan" is on and your argument is invincibly compelling! 😀
Crowded House were from NZ.
The Stone Roses is still one of my all time favs.
Me too.🖖🏼
1. On a Storyteller's Night - Magnum
2. Clutching at Straws - Marillion
3. Alpha - Asia
4. Melt - Peter Gabriel
5. Drama - Yes
6. Discipline - King Crimson
7. Duke - Genesis
8. Time - ELO
9. Love Over Gold - Dire Straits
10. Brother Where You Bound - Supertramp
Love: 2, 4, & 5...7 pretty good too (for PC led Genesis).
My 80s album list, in no order...
-Duran Duran: Rio. A better album as a whole that their detractors give them credit for. Very sensual with Lonely In Your Nightmare. Arty with The Chauffeur. Proof that they were in this for the long haul. The version with the David Kershembaum remixes, longer versions of Hungry Like The Wolf and Hold Back The Rain, is the only one that will do.
-Rush: Signals. Moving Pictures gets the huzzahs and rightfully so. But I don't think I've heard drums sound better than this album. An album where they became aware of the musical world around them, namely The Police, and tried to see what they could do with some new influences while still keeping their prog instincts. Great lyrics from Neil as well.
-The Stone Roses' debut. Just for I Am The Resurrection alone. Yet there are a whole album's worth of great songs to work with. It's stood the test of time.
-Yes: 90125. Their first album with new guitarist Trevor Rabin. This one brought them into the 80s with Trevor's edgier guitar sound. Plus another decade-defining track, like Roundabout in the 70s, in Owner Of A Lonely Heart. Like with Signals, they condensed their prog instincts with the new musical and tech landscape around them
-The Cure: Faith. Stretching out some newly dark wings, perfected on Pornography. Key track: All Cats Are Grey, my favorite Cure song. This isn't Sunday brunch music.
-Prince: Lovesexy. Where he upped the thematic and compositional complexity. You have to give this multiple listens to "get" it; it's very demanding listening (again, not for a brunch or cleaning your house). He's using more jazzy intonations in his chords. His guitar sound here is my favorite...dark, fuzzy, sustained, complex.
-X: More Fun In The New World. Just a great bunch of country-influenced punk songs. Billy Zoom is their MVP.
-Depeche Mode: Music For The Masses. If Black Celebration was a little (purposely) thin in its production and sound, then MFTM opened up as if for the stadiums the band later played. I've often wanted to hear this one on ultra huge IMAX speakers, for example. It begs to be played LOUD. It totally envelopes you, helps you get immersed in its sound. Btw, the total story of the album has to include the bonus cuts and remixes, such as Pleasure Little Treasure, Agent Orange, etc ie the cassette version. Still listening to this one after more than 35 years.
-Beastie Boys: Paul's Boutique. It's fun to play "spot the sample" with this one. I always feel like I found something new. Fun times
Some of my overlooked faves from the 80's - Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985), Jane's Addiction - Nothing Shocking (1988), Roxy Music - Avalon (1982), Stevie Ray Vaughan - Couldn't Stand the Weather (1984) and King Crimson - Discipline (1981)
Absolutely!
Avalon is probably the finest Synth pop album made by a non synth pop band.
@@joaquinlezcano2372 It certainly does have that 1980's romanticism thing going on. Yeah, sensual synths. lol
Avalon is still in my rotation…
@@sea6bear it’s a go-to for testing hi-fi equipment. Sonic bliss ⭐️
I don't agree with everything you say, but I love listening to your point of view.
A well reasoned 10 choices and your person selection, however, one essential omission as it truly was a thing of beautiful uniqueness: “Treasure” Cocteau Twins 1984
10. The Go-Betweens - Before Hollywood (1983)
9. Pixies - Doolittle (1989)
8. Richard & Linda Thompson - Shoot Out the Lights (1982)
7. Midnight Oil - 10...(1982)
6. Rush - Moving Pictures (1981)
5. The The - Infected (1986)
4. Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)
3. Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses (1987)
2. The The - Soul Mining (1983)
1. Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985)
Honourable mentions:
Kate Bush - Hounds of Love (1985)
Mission of Burma - Vs (1982)
Prince - Purple Rain (1984)
Pixies - Surfa Rosa (1988)
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (1988)
And everything Iron Maiden released between 1982 and 1988
Music for the Masses!
My picks
Bowie-Scary monsters and super freaks
Talking heads-Remain in light
King crimson-Discipline
The police-Ghost in the machine
Kate Bush -The dreaming
Hounds of love
Years for fears-The hurting
Pixies -Doolittle
Cocteau Twins -Garlands
The thing soundtrack.
It's either those, or something else
Rem maybe?
Interesting post and follow-ups. 'Rattlesnakes' by Lloyd Cole and the Commotions would always be on my own list.
Just listened to this because of this post- thanks 🙏
1. 1999 - Prince
2. Heartbeat City - The Cars
3. Moving Pictures - Rush
4. So - Peter Gabriel
5. The Joshua Tree - U2
6. Pretty Hate Machine - Nine Inch Nails
7. Nothing's Shocking - Jane's Addiction
8. Beauty and the Beat - The Go-Go's
9. Rio - Duran Duran
10. Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes
Ten personal favourite '80s albums:
DAVID SYLVIAN: Brilliant Trees
JOY DIVISION: Closer
THE SMITHS: The Queen is Dead
TALKING HEADS: Remain in Light
NEW ORDER: Movement
XTC: English Settlement
ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN: Heaven Up Here
COCTEAU TWINS: Victorialand
SIMPLE MINDS: New Gold Dream
THIS MORTAL COIL: Filigree and Shadow
A lot more actually (BLUE NILE: A Walk Across The Rooftops; PREFAB SPROUT: Steve McQueen; AZTEC CAMERA: High Land Hard Rain; KATE BUSH: The Dreaming; X: Wild Gift; PIXIES: Doolittle; HAPPY MONDAYS: Bummed; HUSKER DU: Warehouse Songs and Stories; U2: Boy; ELVIS COSTELLO: Trust; THE CLASH: Sandinista; FRANK ZAPPA: You Are What You Is... enough already)
COIL, yes forgot about that one.
@@CraigHollabaugh coil the band or refering to 4AD artists compilation "this mortal coil " ws a nice idea ,song to a siren from tim buckley was never released in the first this mortal coil album but the first E.P. only from this mortal coil vocals by Elizabeth Frazer from Cocteau twins all great compilations of 4AD artists
Yeah, I bought the 4 CD set when it came out.
You were absolutely in college in 1982/83!
@@nancyjones6780 oh, you know it
The The 's Infected and Killing Joke 's self titled I would suggest as stand out albums from the 80's. Nice to see the Cramps get the recognition they deserve , just a short jump to the Gun Club.
Love your choices from Pretenders and The Smiths. XTC has several stellar releases in the 80s which qualify in my book. Most notably Black Sea (1980) English Settlement (1982) and Skylarking (1986) Also New Model Army, Thunder and Consolation.
@@DaleRC75 They were the unsung heroes of 80's pop. Well, they did sing.
the 80´s had so many good albuns released that it´s impossible to refer all, as at the time independent labels were alternative and many released great bands that today are forgoten or better to say younger people couldn´t hear them as they weren´t re-released, most of them but never forgoten by the ones who bought their records
A fine list. My one quibble: Joy Division's Closer came out in 1980. It remains iconic. Keep up the great work, and hope you're well.
Some of my favorite 80's albums;
Fables of the Reconstruction-REM
English Settlement-XTC
Strong Persuader-Robert Cray
The Blue Mask-Lou Reed
Warehouse-Husker Du
Hex Enduction Hour-The Fall
Hounds of Love-Kate Bush
Youth of America-Wipers
Tim-The Replacements
Unforgettable Fire-U2
I would guess Kate Bush doesn't qualify because of the criteria stated. She had been around since the 70s, otherwise Hounds Of Love would definitely be in my Ten. So too The Dreaming. Maybe even The Sensual World.
Here's 12 quickly and indiscriminately selected:
12. Raising Hell - Run DMC
11. Paul's Boutique - Beastie Boys
10. The First Born is Dead - Nick Cave
9. Gravity - James Brown
8. New Day Rising - Husker Du (Take your pick with Husker Du. They had a new album out every month back then and they were all great)
7. It Takes A Nation of Millions - Public Enemy
6. Spring Hill Fair - Go-Betweens (at least 4 Gobies albums belong on this list - This one, 16 Lovers Lane, Liberty Belle and Tallulah)
5. Aura - Miles Davis
4. Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - The Dead Kennedys
3. Like A Virgin - Madonna
2. Born Sandy Devotional - Triffids
1. Sign O'The Times - Prince
Honorable mentions: Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth because I didn't like it than but am finally getting it no, 35 years on
Rio: Duran Duran. Because it feels liberating to actually be able to finally say how brilliant this is, especially side A.
Rooms of The Magnificent by Ed Kuepper. Local boy makes good.
I had to edit to remove one because it was in the 70's
This is too straightforward for one of your lists. You usually have one or two genuinely disagreeable choices.
Is Paul's Boutique REALLY that good?
Nothing wrong with Duran Duran. Rio is a great album.
Forgot to add, Miles Davis - 'Aura' a great album yet often forgotten.
Beasty Boys - 'Licensed to Ill'
Just ok
Tears for fears-The Hurting, Oingo Boingo-Nothing to Fear, Motley Crue-Too Fast for Love, Rem-Lifes Rich Pageant, AC/DC- Back in Black, Black Sabbath- Heaven and Hell, David Bowie-Scary Monsters, The Cure-Fascination Street, Tom Petty-Damn the Torpedos, Deep Purple-Perfect Strangers.
Saw the Pretenders and The Cramps in 1981 in smaller venues in DC. Epic!
The Psych Furs debut at the dawn of the decade is pretty brilliant.
1. Born Sandy Devotional (1986) The Triffids
2. Gossip (1986) Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls.
3. Kick (1987) INXS
4. 16 Lovers Lane (1988) The Go-Betweens
5. Junkyard (1982) The Birthday Party (Nick Cave)
6. Human Frailty (1986) Hunters and Collectors
7. Stoneage Romeos (1984) Hoodoo Gurus
8. Starfish (1988) The Church (Under the Milky Way)
9. Quasimodo's Dream (1981) The Reels.
10. Sunnyboys (1981) The Sunnyboys.
The best of Australia. There's more than the UK and North America.
Now that's a bloody good list! Sunnyboys are legends! I took 16LL off my list and replaced it with Spring Hill Fair and I have a soft spot for Shaboo Shabah as the pinnacle of the Mark Opitz Sound. But great, great list nonetheless.
@@Foul_Quince Thanks cheers mate.
I thought all these Aussie bands were just made up by Foul Quince. It's good to have independant confirmation.
No stems?
@@gattingbowledwarne How weird. I picked up their very hard to find double CD last Sunday at a flea market. Yet to play it.
New Gold Dream by Simple Minds (1982) is awesome in my opinion
Good choice
I completely agree. That album has beautifully crafted songs. A swirl of keyboards, excellent guitars and a strong pulsing bass. Also love the early releases Real to Reel Cacophony and Empires and Dance.
I have just started to rediscover Simple Minds 👍
Hi, new sub here. have watched a few vids and i am impressed. love the delivery and the diversity of choices you make. i think we are going to get on very well :)
Welcome aboard.
@@classicalbum a pleasure, just started watching music collection part 2, will explore catalogue further. the thing about RUclips is sorting the wheat from the chaff.
Doolittle is an undersung masterpiece. Nirvana clearly took so many elements from this: the loud/quiet/loud dynamics, desperate vocal screams, and ping-ponging basslines, just to name a few.
The Joshua Tree struck a perfect balance between epic, accessible songs and real intimacy and darkness. For an 80s album, the production is so tasteful and that has helped it age beautifully.
Purple Rain is just incredible - not one weak track on it. It sounded great then and it sounds great now.
As always, very elegant, articulate commentary here. Great job!
I love Purple Rain, but it does not sound great today, at least not timeless like..say..Sign “☮️” the Times does. Purple Rain has amazing songs, but it sound’s AGGRESSIVELY 80s, and sounds rather dated by today’s standards.
Love your vids , partly because of your content, partly due to your voice lol😮. I’m happy to find a video of yours that is current and not yrs old. I am a new inductie to your channel and thought perhaps you stopped and all I could find were couple yrs old. Also great to see I own all those records but the Cramps. Not bad eh?
Two bands I’d like Bazza to cover? Thunder and the Heavy Metal Kids. Two great - underrated - bands. Great channel. 👏👏👏👏
The Pretenders/Pixies/R.E.M and or course The Smiths! NOW your talking my language! It used to be “The Queen Is Dead” for me but now in hindsight I prefer the compilations “Hatful Of Hollow” and “Louder Than Bombs” as they are much more enjoyable to listen to than and more expansive than tqid, But I still remember how I felt when I first heard “I Know It’s Over” for the first time when I was 17 (how low can you go before you feel like this?!) Thank you for this surprising video! I honestly thought it would just be 80’s releases from AC/DC and Jethro Tull and Kiss, but you amazed me with your nod to the alternative side of rock!!!!
Kate Bush's "The Dreaming" is a essential 80ies album for me. It was also the great era of Andy Partridge with XTC albums like 'The Black Sea', 'English Settlement', 'Skylarking' and 'Oranges and Lemons'. The pop king and queen of the eighties must undoubtebly be Annie and Dave from Eurythmics.
The Dreaming is my favorite album of all time. And I'm mainly a metalhead.
It does seem a shame to leave Kate out of the running, she had four great albums in the 80s! She is a unique and extremely creative songwriter / performer.
That's a good list. I have five of those albums in my collection so I'm feeling quite smug now. Just a correction re The Pretenders, Jim Scott died before Pete Farndon.
David Sylvian alone produced 4 of the great 80's albums in Brilliant Trees, Gone to Earth, Secrets of the Beehive and Rain Tree Crow's eponymous album. Spirit of Eden by Talk Talk was perhaps the best album of the whole 80's. its a work of genius. Another genius working in that era was Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout. Their album From Langley Park to Memphis is also a great album. I guess Kate Bush is not an 80's artist but the hounds of Love was released mid 80's
You're damn right about 'Spirit Of Eden'. Impeccable taste! 🦋
Thank you so much for reminding of the Pretenders. OMG. These two albums hold up extremely well.
Talking Heads - Remain in Light
Prince - Purple Rain
Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
Peter Gabriel - 3
The Blue Nile - A Walk Across the Rooftops
Pixies - Doolittle
U2 - The Joshua Tree
David Bowie - Scary Monsters
Jane’s Addiction - Nothing’s Shocking
Roxy Music - Avalon
And so many more
A lot of those artists I would ocnsider 70s artists
Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986)
Iron Maiden - Powerslave (1984)
Marillion - Script For A Jester's Tear (1983)
New Order - Substance (1986)
Killing Joke - Killing Joke (1980)
Ultravox - Quartet (1982)
Metallica - Master Of Puppets (1986)
David Bowie - Scary Monsters and Super Creeps (1980)
Nirvana - Bleach (1989)
Yeah, there are a lot of great metal albums from the 80s. I'm not sure if he delves too deeply into them though. I'd also include King Diamond's Abigail.
I didn't realize how hard it was to do a top 10 until I started my list. I have a ton of honorable mentions and I'm probably forgetting a bunch of great stuff, but here goes (only doing on per artist because most of these bands have a few albums that could make the list)...
10. Hunters & Collectors - Human Frailty
9. The Smithereens - Especially For You
8. Rain Parade - Emergency Third Rail Power Trip
7. Hoodoo Gurus - Mars Needs Guitars
6. 5440 - Self Titled
5. Let’s Active - Cypress
4. The Fall - Bend Sinister
3. New Order - Brotherhood
2. Husker Du - Warehouse Songs and Stories
1. The Replacements - Tim
Honorable Mentions: The Church - Heyday, The Cult - Love, Stone Roses - S/T, Iron Maiden - Killers, Depeche Mode - Black Celebration, Camper Van Beethoven - S/T, The Beat - Special Beat Service, The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead, Love and Rockets - Express, Pixies - Doolittle, Echo and the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain, U2 - The Joshua Tree, The Woodentops - Giant, XTC - Skylarking, Guadalcanal Diary - Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man, Love Tractor - Themes From Venus
The Blue Nile - A Walk Across The Rooftops
Thomas Dolby - The Flat Earth
Cocteau Twins - Heaven Or Las Vegas
Scritti Politti - Cupid & Psyche 85
David Sylvian - Secrets Of The Beehive
Talking Heads - Remain In Light
Jon Hassell / Brian Eno - Possible Musics
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions
The Sugarcubes - Life's Too God
The Sundays - Reading, Writing and Arithmetic
Anthrax - Among The Living
Coil - Horse Rotorvator
Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine...
When I listen to a Cure album, it's always 1989's Disintegration! That album hooked me in but I understand your point regarding your choice. The Joshua Tree is a solid album, but like yourself, I usually queue up 1991's Achtung Baby, which is their best by far! Cheers
You got the Smiths right, but some of those choices... phew. REM yes, but Murmur. U2 yes, but War. And the one glaring omission for me here... Replacements, Tim or Let It Be.
Good list, Barry! Have to admit I’m not familiar with all of these albums, but the ones I am I quite like.
Sticking to your rule of only counting artists who started in the 1980s (which I presume means releasing their first studio album in 1980 or later), my own favorite albums of the decade (in no particular order) are thus:
The Cure - Disintegration (so you prefer the first of “The Trilogy” and I prefer the second; fair enough)
X - Wild Gift (could’ve picked any of the first three X albums, honestly; I love them all)
The Fixx - Reach the Beach (easily my favorite of the so-called “second British Invasion” bands)
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Asia (self-titled)
Men At Work - Business As Usual
Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair
INXS - Kick
Europe - Wings of Tomorrow (an album no one expected to see on anyone’s list I’m sure, but I’ve owned it for 35 years and I still love it; holds up for me way better than The Final Countdown)
Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream
Not claiming by any stretch that those are the “best” albums of the 80s, but they’re all albums that I’ve listened to on the regular for decades and still enjoy as much as ever, which is all that really matters to me.
If 80s albums by 70s artists were allowed on the list, then I’d also have to consider Moving Pictures, Fair Warning, So, Escape (Journey), Time (ELO), Synchronicity, and Heartbeat City, so that restriction actually made picking out a list a lot easier for me!
I think my favourite 1980's album is Talking Heads' Remain In Light.
Same with me. +Cocteau twins
Excellent work. Thanks brother, you're appreciated.
A compelling list, well argued. Thanks
Wow! Just discovered this channel. The one thing I’ve learned. Is I have to work on my vocabulary.
A Secret Wish, Propaganda Brilliant Trees, David Sylvian
Stop Making Sense, Talking Heads
I Approached Masked, Fripp Sumners
Fried, Julian Cope
Kilimanjaro, The Teardrop Explodes
Travelogue, The Human League
New Gold Dream, Simple Minds
A Walk Across The Rooftops, The Blue Nile
Nothing Like The Sun, Sting
English Settlement, XTC
Compilations:
All Of This & Nothing, Psychedelic Furs (?)
Songs To Learn & Sing, Echo & The Bunnymen
For me the 80's is more a singles decade especially the 12" remixes which became a scene of its own.
Pretenders first album is a classic and like a lot of my own selections most of the credible 80s acts started in the late 70s. Like Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush who both started in the 70s but with their 80s work progressed on to new areas in music influencing a lot. Peter Gabriel 3 onwards and Kate Bush The Dreaming and Hounds of Love all iconic 80s albums by those two, fairlight experiments etc.
Late to the party here, but while chasing girls, I got many of them to dig these with me. They all were well-produced, too - and some of the remixes are even better:
1. Joe Jackson - Night and Day
2. Don Henley - I Can't Stand Still
3. George Harrison - Cloud 9
4. Supertramp - Brother Where You Bound
5. Boston - Third Stage
6. Bruce Hornsby - Scenes from the Southside
7. /Rush - Moving Pictures
8. Yes - Big Generator
9. Genesis - Duke
10. Elton John - Live in Australia
My list.
01 Talking Heads - Remain In Light
02 Simple Minds - New Gold Dream
03 U2 - The Joshua Tree
04 The Cure - The Head On The Door
05 Siouxsie & The Banshees - Juju
06 Scorpions - Blackout
07 Duran Duran - Rio
08 The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead
09 Metallica - Ride The Lightning
10 Tina Turner - Private Dancer
Without particular order : "Music For The Masses" (Depeche Mode), "Killers" (Iron Maiden), "Sports" (Huey Lewis and The News), "Disintegration" (The Cure), "Diesel And Dust" (Midnight Oil), "Welcome To the Pleasure Dome" (Frankie goes To Hollywood), "1987" (Whitesnake), "The Seeds Of Love" (Tears For Fears), "Trash" (Alice Cooper), "Night Time" (Killing Joke), "Ninety" (808 State), "Strange Kind Of Love" (Love And Money), "Cosmic Thing" (The B52's).
This list endorses why I think the 80’s is possibly the worst decade in music. Coming out of the 70’s which was a tapestry of genres, prog, disco, glam, punk, krautrock, avante garde etc, into the bland and uninteresting dross that was music in the ‘80’s was a shock to the system, your ten releases just confirmed what a dire decade for music it was.
The 80s was a dreadful decade for classic guitar oriented music. For electronic and synth oriented pop, as well as related new wave genres, it was a golden age.
I'll give you a top 20 based on numbers of plays over the last few years. 31 plays won it, with 14 plays in 20th place. Overall, I think the 1980s were disappointing for music. 31 plays would put these albums in joint 20th place in my list of albums from the 1970s.
1= So - Peter Gabriel
1= Robbie Robertson - Robbie Robertson
3= Common One - Van Morrison
3= Peter Gabriel 3 (Melt) - Peter Gabriel
5 The Nightfly - Donald Fagen
6 The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
7= Catholic Boy - Jim Carroll Band
7= Hounds of Love - Kate Bush
9= No Guru, No Method, No Teacher - Van Morrison
9= Sign o' The Times - Prince
11 Graceland - Paul Simon
12 Ocean Rain - Echo & The Bunnymen
13 Love Over Gold - Dire Straits
14= Lady Day & Prez 1937-1941 - Billie Holiday & Lester Young
14= The Joshua Tree - U2
14= The River - Bruce Springsteen
17= I Just Can't Stop It - The Beat
17= Live In New Orleans - Maze
17= Steve McQueen - Prefab Sprout
20= Live At The Harlem Square - Sam Cooke
20= Making Movies - Dire Straits
20= Never For Ever - Kate Bush
20= Snap - The Jam
There aren't many surprises here. Probably the least well known is the album by the Jim Carroll Band. This is like a cross between Lou Reed and Television.
Marillion were unlucky to miss out as they have two albums missing the list by one play.
I always look for albums I don't know, so here are a few others that could bounce into my top 20 with one or two more plays:
Boat To Bolivia - Martin Stephenson & The Dainties
So Far - Bob Theil
The Doubtful Handshake - Terry & The Pirates
Hey Barry. Another great show. I'm now starting to be able to follow your trail of breadcrumbs that leads me to understanding your taste in music. It's interesting for me because it differs in many ways from mine. To sprinkle a small trail of breadcrumbs for albums that I enjoy, here's my top 5 for the year 1983 only. (40 years ago)
#5-UNDERCOVER by THE ROLLING STONES
#4-ELIMINATOR by ZZ TOP
#3-SHOUT AT THE DEVIL by MOTLEY CRUE
#2-PYROMANIA by DEF LEPPARD
#1-LIVING IN OZ by RICK SPRINGFIELD
Your obsession with trails of breadcrumbs is odd.
1. Spirit of Eden - Talk Talk
2. Isn't Anything - My Bloody Valentine
3. The Head on the Door - The Cure
4. Doolittle - Pixies
5. You're Living All Over Me - Dinosaur Jr
6. Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth
7. Victorialand - The Cocteau Twins
8. Psychocandy - The Jesus and Mary Chain
9. The Queen is Dead - The Smiths
10. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
My Top ten includes many Canadian Bands:
1. Queen City Kids - Black Box
2. Orphan - Lonely At Night
3. Kick Axe - Vices
4. Killer Dwarfs - Big Deal
5. Bryan Adams - Reckless
6. Madam X - We Reserve The Right
7. Quiet Riot - Metal Health
8. Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
9. Iron Maiden - Powerslave
10. Metallica - ...And Justice For All
Thank you for your list, I really enjoy The Cure, Adam and the Ants and U2 as well. I could have made a bigger list as well. So many great bands in the 80's.
I would add Condition Critical by Quiet Riot
Why no mention, honourable or otherwise of XTC ? English Settlement is a rather splendid album.
Kate Bush- Hounds of Love
The Cars- Panorama
Elvis Costello- Imperial Bedroom
Joe Jackson- Blaze of Glory
Squeeze- East Side Story
Also, Clutching at Straws-Marillion
The Associates's classic Sulk album, The Blue Niles beautiful Hats record, Talk Talk's Colour Of Spring and The The's Infected are a few of my personal faves but a fantastic list nonetheless! There is some real gold to be mined from this often musically much maligned decade.
Good choices but... I think you missed out, Kate Bush - 'The Dreaming' & 'Hounds of Love', The THE - 'Infected' and 'Mind Bomb', two of the greatest albums of the 1980's. King Crimson - 'Discipline' (all three primary colour albums are great). Thomas Dolby - 'The Flat Earth' and 'Aliens Ate My Buick', The Cure - 'Head On The Door' and 'The Top' were also great albums, imho.
I'd also have to give a honourable mention to, Frank Zappa - 'You Are What You Is' & 'Joe's Garage I, II & III', and Captain Beefheart - 'Doc At The Radar Station' & 'Ice Cream For Crow' (an album that is still very influential)
Now I've had time to think, there are a lot of great albums released in the 1980's...
I'd also like to add any of these as contenders for top 10 of the decade:-
Talking Heads - 'Remain in Light', 'Speaking In Tongues'
The Stranglers - 'The Gospel According to the Meninblack'.
The Clash - 'Sandinista!'
Public Enemy - 'It Takes A Nation Of Millions'.
Sonic Youth - 'Daydream Nation'.
Tom Waits - 'Rain Dogs'.
The Pogues - 'Rum Sodomy & The Lash'
Talk Talk - 'Spirit of Eden'.
Peter Gabriel - 'Peter Gabriel' (melt)
Bowie - 'Scary Monsters', 'Let's Dance'.
Prince - '1999', 'Sign 'O' The Times'.
Ozzy Osborne - 'Blizzard of Ozz'.
Metallica - 'Master of Puppets'.
Michael Jackson - 'Thriller', 'Off The Wall' (1979 but has the 1980's written all over it) .
The Cure - 'Disintegration'.
TOTO - IV.
I'm sure there are lots more...
I'd have chosen Disintegration for the Cure, Document for REM, Joshua Tree is spot on, Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, Back in Black by AC/DC, Suicidal Tendencies first album, Motorhead's Ace of Spades, 90215 by Yes, Heaven and Hell by Black Sabbath, Speaking in Tongues by Talking Heads & Tattoo You by the Rolling Stones.
Agree on Disintegration (and the alternate longer remixes on "Integration"); also Document, but I like "Life's Rich Pageant" too...
@@Railway_Railfan Cool, hard to nail it down to 10, I could have a totally different list tomorrow.
Cocteau Twins - Treasure
My Bloody Valentine -Isn't Anything
Just a couple that spring to mind.
Cheers for the recommendations - I'll be giving it a listen
REM. Yes my god. The chord sequence in Fall on Me is sublime.
From a marillion fan since 1983: Clutching at straws is much better than script for a jester's tear. Misplaced childhood also. Fugazi and script are similar.
Great list! I’m partial to The Smiths debut album. What a surprise when I first bought it.
Interesting list.
I'm not a big fan of The Pretenders, but Learning to Crawl is for me a formidable comeback with a Chrissy Hynde at the peak of her writing abilities, inspired by the loss of her band, and Learning to Crawl has the line up I liked the most.
My list:
1. Peter Gabriel - So
2. Paul McCartney - Tug of War
3. Roxy Music - Avalon
4. Prince - Sign O The Times
5. Pixies - Doolittle
6. Tin Machine - Tin Machine (David Bowie's return to life).
7. U2 - Unforgettable Fire
8. The Blue Nile - A Walk Across the Rooftops
9. Dire Straits - Love Over Gold
10. The Police - Synchronicity
Lovely to see Script for a Jesters Tear in there , and The Queen is Dead at No 1; definitely two of my favourite albums from that period..... X
Solid list! The majority are my personal most influential albums of the decade. 💜Cheers!
Others that some of the viewers might like:
The The | Soul Mining
The Church | Star Fish
Ed Keupper | Today Wonder , is also a great Australian album, but is hard to find physically or online. A real gem.
And a largely unknown Australian\New Zealand band and album, but has some great sounds and moments…
Schnell Fenster | The Sound of Trees , originally released in the late 1980’s.
This one is on most streaming services.
The The's INFECTED is the very best album of the 80s, imho.
Lou reeds new york...and rem fables...were completely overlooked...not by you but in general...otherwise solid list.
Prince made a load of great albums in the 80s. Parade is my favourite. I would have gone for meat is murder over queen is dead but its all splitting hairs! I would put Los Angeles by X in there too. Great list.
Good observations. I would go as far as considering the first 3 albums by X.
Nice to hear Kings of the Wild Frontier getting an honourable mention - that was the first album I ever owned. I think I was only 9 when I was given it as a present - along with my first record player - and I would play it obsessively. I knew every second of that album. I loved it. In fact, it was the only album I owned until I was given Queen Greatest Hits a year or two later, and then I would listen to both of them obsessively.
Regarding your top 10: Kate Bush is my favourite artist, and I'd have to have Hounds of Love on my list. Also Bowie's Scary Monsters. And Talk Talk's Spirit of Eden is one of my favourite albums, so would have to be on my list.
I must've been busy typing when he mentioned KOTWF. great album
For bands steeped in the 80s I would add Simple Minds - New Gold Dream, ABC - Lexicon of Love and OMD - Architecture and Morality, although I do agree with all your selections
Fascinating video.
A lot of people slag off the 80s and to be fair there was a lot of vapid dross, but there was rubbish in every decade.
If we ignore those artists who have had very long careers Springsteen’s Tunnel of Love, Gabriel’s So and Simon’s Graceland would all be there, here’s my suggestions:
1. Joy Division:Closer
2. The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead
3. Talk Talk: Spirit Of Eden
4. REM: Murmur
5. Prince: Sign O The Times
6. New Order: Low Life
7. Marc Almond: The Stars We Are
8. Joe Jackson: Night & Day
9. Cocteau Twins: Blue Bell Knoll
10. David Sylvian: Secrets Of The Beehive
Just when I thought I'd kinda know what you'd pick, you done surprised me again! For me, my list would start with Texas Flood, Spirit of Eden, Speaking in Tongues, Moving Pictures, So, and Brothers in Arms. Then add Head on the Door, Substance, Lifes Rich Pagent and Avalon (mentions Tracy Chapman, Lyle Lovett, Let's Dance) Thanks for your list, I'll queue yours up for my afternoon in the shop.
Thank you for mentioning Lifes Rich Pageant...imo the best REM album...superman...love that cover
Kate Bush: The Dreaming and Hounds of Love. Two of my favorite albums ever.
Lexicon of Love ABC. Perfection !
Surprised but pleased to see both the Roses and TQID there, probably my top 2 from the decade, though I’d probably have Hounds of Love in there too - the proggiest non-prog album that ever progged.
Can't fault ya number one, got it when it came out and never left the turntable at the time. My mum loved "frankly Mr Shankley" 👍😁
Interesting choices. I would include the powerfull 1980s Killing Jokes self titled. .Glad you mentioned KOTWF.....Ant Invasion and Killer In The Home go together so perfectly.
I’ll give you a few Barry. Blue sky Mining by Midnight Oil, Gypsy Blood by Mason Ruffner, Texas Flood SRV, You can’t do that on Stage all volumes by FZ. I agree with you on the Pretenders. Loved that guitar sound. Chrissy loved the Kinks so much she married Ray Davies. Ouch! I think Clutching for Straws wraps up the 80’s angst wise. When the fun is over so to say. I never got the Cure. Great review thank you.
Great list; did you consider Echo & TB Ocean Rain?
Crowded House. One of the best debut albums of all time. I’m biased tho as they’re my favourite band.
Nice add.
I'll take any Split Enz album over any Crowded House one
Hounds of Love, Skylarking, Spirit of Eden, Victorialand, Greener Postures, The Serpent's Egg, Fried, Psychic... Powerless... Another Man's Sac, Closer, The Girl Who Was... Death
Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms
I was too busy chasing cracking birds with ace bristols and drinking cans of Quattro to listen to whole albums in the 80s. I might have bought the occasional single from Woollies, mind. What a wally.
......Oh a cheers for the inclusion of “The Stone Roses” self titled debut! You’ve got to love that where I come from (as it’s virtually a criminal offence not to in Manchester!) Not much keen on the follow up “The Second Coming” though, It’s just John Squire having a Led Zep moment and being a bit self indulgent, proving that for some bands they REALLY could never better their debut!!!!
Such an excellent list!
Marillion's Script For a Jester's Tear is such an fantastic album, and so is R.E.M.'s Life's Rich Pageant. I can't believe I never got the "Buffalo Bill" pun after all those years.
While The Joshua Tree album is certainly a masterpiece, the 80's album by U2 that I listen to the most often is War, which features two of the most overlooked masterpieces that U2 ever wrote, Like a Song and Drowning Man, which are both fantastic songs.
Pornography by The Cure is certainly also a fantastic album, but I personally find myself listening to Disintegration and Faith, far more often. I love the atmosphere of Faith, which is such a contrast to the chaotic intensity of Pornography.
I would probably have included Midnight Oil's excellent Diesel and Dust, as well as Ein kleines bisschen Horrorschau by Die Toten Hosen, which is a fantastic album.
Some time ago I read somewhere that Australian rocker Kim Salmon was the forerunner of grunge and is credited with coming up with he term. Also, apparently the Australian band Buffalo with their 1973 album Volcanic Rock was influential on USA grunge bands particularly the track Freedom which sounds like Soundgarden.
Kim Salmon is like the mad scientist of Australian Rock.
I'm late to the party with this, but ho hum: -
Rattlesnakes- Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
Daydream Nation- Sonic Youth
Doolittle- The Pixies
Daddy's Highway- the Bats
Joshua Tree- U2
16 Lovers Lane- The Go-Betweens
You Can't Hide Your Love Forever- Orange Juice
A Walk Across The Rooftops- The Blue Nile
Stop Making Sense- Talking Heads
Fisherman's Blues- The Waterboys
Joy Division / Closer New Order / Movement Tuxedomoon / Desire Pere Ubu / Cloudland Shriekback / Oil & Gold Cramps / Songs The Lord Taught Us John Cale / Artificial Intelligence
Pixies / Doolittle The Flying Lizards / Fourth Wall David Bowie / Scary Monsters
Queen- The Game. Quiet Riot- Metal Health, Paul McCartney- Tug Of War, Def Leppard- Hysteria & Motley Crue- Dr. Feelgood!
What a great list
80s my favourite era due to being aged 10-19 during this decade, my own top 10 albums of this period would be (and I'll limit it to one per artist otherwise it would all be Big Country and Smiths albums haha)
1. The Crossing - Big Country
2. The Queen is Dead - Smiths
3. Ocean Rain - Echo & The Bunnymen
4. Darklands - Jesus & Mary Chain
5. London 0 Hull 4 - Housemartins
6. Sparkle in the Rain - Simple Minds
7. A Blues for Buddha - Silencers
8. Hipsway - Hipsway
9. Stone Roses - Stone Roses
10. Talking with the Taxman about Poetry - Billy Bragg
Bubbling under - The River (Bruce Springsteen), Strange Kind of Love (Love & Money), Sunshine on Leith (Proclaimers), Heartland (Runrig), Strength (The Alarm), Guitar Town (Steve Earle) and many, MANY more. What a decade.
Good picks Barry, a few that come to mind to me
Kate Bush “The Dreaming”
The Damned “Strawberries”
Siouxsie and The Banshees “Ju Ju”
Echo and The Bunnymen “Ocean Rain”
Icicle Works “Icicle Works”
The Jam “Sound Effects”
Bauhaus “In The Flat Field”
Sisters Of Mercy “Floodland”
Marillion “Clutching At Straws”
PiL “Album”
Lots of good choices in the comments, so rather than a top 10, just a few that haven't been mentioned.
They Might Be Giants - Lincoln
Ministry - The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste
Midnight Oil - Diesel And Dust (if The Pretenders count as an 80's band, so do they)
Men At Work - Cargo (Just the presence of Overkill justifies it, but I really like this album)
Queensryche - Operation: Mindcrime
Oingo Boingo - Good For Your Soul
Living Color - Vivid
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mother's Milk
Pet Shop Boys - Actually
Thomas Dolby - The Golden Age of Wireless
Dolby, forgot about that one, yes.
That Midnight Oil album had two fantastic hits on it. Vivid is too often forgotten
Probably my favourite album from the 80's is Tim by The Replacements. This band is not mentioned enough, in my opinion.
Love the Mats. Tim is a CLASSIC though the production by Tommy Ramone is weird. My favorite Mats is the controversial Don't Tell a Soul.
I agree! but Let it Be is their magnum opus, and Unsatisfied is their best song.
Great list... my honorable mentions would be XTC's Black Sea and The Police's Zenyatta Mondatta...despite Stings involvement.
The Cure - disintegration
Marillion - clutching at straws
Absolute masterpieces, prob my favourites
Some excellent choices here. Amazing all the memories these albums conjure up. 👍 My top 10 would be:
1. Robert Plant - The Principle Of Moments
2. Big Country - The Crossing
3. Peter Gabriel - 3: Melt
4. Siouxsie And The Banshees - Kaleidoscope
5. Iron Maiden - Killers
6. U2 - War
7. The Sisters Of Mercy - First And Last And Always
8. Magnum - Wings Of Heaven
9. Mike Oldfield - Crises
10. Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers
Synchronicity? I know The Police began in the late 70s but they’re really an 80s band aren’t they?
The Police's 80's material (and Sting's) was incredible.
Great list, my favorite is Disintegration by The Cure
Excellent list and analysis. Thank you.
My pleasure!