Pitchfork Media's "Top 100 Albums of the 1980s"

Add to my lists | Print this list

It’s said that the 1980s are responsible for the worst fashion, fads, and music of any decade of the 20th century. But as we see the decade recycled and updated with post-millennial minimalism, it’s becoming clear that the 1980s had more to offer than we’ve given them credit for. As the calendar left the classless earthtones and polyester of the 1970s behind, musicians looked to the future for inspiration in new genres. With this feature, Pitchfork seeks to prove that, amidst the smooth-jazz of Kenny G, the vanilla soul of Hall & Oates, and the white-trash hair-rock of Warrant, lay a revolution in sound. It is to the vision and perseverance of many of these artists that we owe the roots of hip-hop, synth-pop, and most notably for this publication, alternative and indie rock. Respect is due.

Pages: 1

  1. 1.
    Daydream Nation
    by Sonic Youth

    Drag me to re-order


  2. 2.
    Remain in Light
    by Talking Heads

    Drag me to re-order


  3. 3.
    Paul's Boutique
    by Beastie Boys

    Drag me to re-order


  4. 4.
    Doolittle
    by Pixies

    Drag me to re-order


  5. 5.
    Murmur
    by R.E.M.

    Drag me to re-order


  6. 6.
    The Queen is Dead
    by The Smiths

    Drag me to re-order


  7. 7.
    Surfer Rosa
    by Pixies

    Drag me to re-order


  8. 8.
    Rain Dogs
    by Tom Waits

    Drag me to re-order


  9. 9.
    It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
    by Public Enemy

    Drag me to re-order


  10. 10.
    Closer
    by Joy Division

    Drag me to re-order


  11. 11.
    Swordfishtrombones
    by Tom Waits

    Drag me to re-order


  12. 12.
    This Nation's Saving Grace
    by The Fall

    Drag me to re-order


  13. 13.
    Sister
    by Sonic Youth

    Drag me to re-order


  14. 14.
    Skylarking
    by XTC

    Drag me to re-order


  15. 15.
    On Fire
    by Galaxie 500

    Drag me to re-order


  16. 16.
    Double Nickels on the Dime
    by Minutemen

    Drag me to re-order


  17. 17.
    3 Feet High and Rising
    by De La Soul

    Drag me to re-order


  18. 18.
    Second Edition
    by Public Image Ltd.

    Drag me to re-order


  19. 19.
    Deceit

    Drag me to re-order


  20. 20.
    My Life in the Bush of Ghosts

    Drag me to re-order


  21. 21.
    Isn't Anything
    by My Bloody Valentine

    Drag me to re-order


  22. 22.
    Psychocandy
    by The Jesus and Mary Chain

    Drag me to re-order


  23. 23.
    Hard / Solid Gold
    by Gang of Four

    Drag me to re-order


  24. 24.
    Damaged
    by Black Flag

    Drag me to re-order


  25. 25.
    Get Happy!!
    by Elvis Costello & the Attractions

    Drag me to re-order


  26. 26.
    Thriller
    by Michael Jackson

    Drag me to re-order


  27. 27.
    Power, Corruption & Lies
    by New Order

    Drag me to re-order


  28. 28.
    Let It Be
    by Replacements

    Drag me to re-order


  29. 29.
    The Joshua Tree
    by U2

    Drag me to re-order


  30. 30.
    EVOL
    by Sonic Youth

    Drag me to re-order


  31. 31.
    Zen Arcade
    by Hüsker Dü

    Drag me to re-order


  32. 32.
    Hex Enduction Hour
    by The Fall

    Drag me to re-order


  33. 33.
    Spirit of Eden
    by Talk Talk

    Drag me to re-order


  34. 34.
    Straight Outta Compton
    by N.W.A.

    Drag me to re-order


  35. 35.
    Violent Femmes
    by Violent Femmes

    Drag me to re-order


  36. 36.
    Tim
    by The Replacements

    Drag me to re-order


  37. 37.
    Disintegration
    by The Cure

    Drag me to re-order


  38. 38.
    The Stone Roses
    by The Stone Roses

    Drag me to re-order


  39. 39.
    You're Living All Over Me
    by Dinosaur Jr.

    Drag me to re-order


  40. 40.
    Licensed to Ill
    by Beastie Boys

    Drag me to re-order


  41. 41.
    The Trinity Session
    by Cowboy Junkies

    Drag me to re-order


  42. 42.
    Raising Hell
    by Run-D.M.C.

    Drag me to re-order


  43. 43.
    Computer World
    by Kraftwerk

    Drag me to re-order


  44. 44.
    Sign 'O' the Times
    by Prince

    Drag me to re-order


  45. 45.
    English Settlement
    by XTC

    Drag me to re-order


  46. 46.
    Naked City
    by John Zorn

    Drag me to re-order


  47. 47.
    Document
    by R.E.M.

    Drag me to re-order


  48. 48.
    Vs.
    by Mission of Burma

    Drag me to re-order


  49. 49.
    The Perfect Prescription
    by Spacemen 3

    Drag me to re-order


  50. 50.
    I'm Your Man
    by Leonard Cohen

    Drag me to re-order


Pages: 1

This is a community list. You can contribute, edit, or help maintain it by adding it to your lists.
Created by Robot Co-op on Nov 30, 2005.
 

Comments

Read — 1 year ago

Read Carfully: Michael Jackson, Thriller – The best album of the 80’s.


iyiiki
Cumberland

Corrections — 3 years ago

The original link to Straight Outta Compton was to a tribute album, not the original. When I tried to change it to the correct one, the whole list got screwed up somehow. Thus all the changes I had to make. Looks like everything is correct now. I also updated the source link to the actual list on pitchfork’s site.