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

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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.

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  1. 51.
    I'm Your Man
    by Leonard Cohen

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  2. 52.
    Paid in Full
    by Eric B. & Rakim

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  3. 53.
    Signals, Calls and Marches
    by Mission of Burma

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  4. 54.
    Songs About Fucking
    by Big Black

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  5. 55.
    Synchronicity
    by The Police

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  6. 56.
    Discipline
    by King Crimson

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  7. 57.
    Come on Pilgrim
    by Pixies

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  8. 58.
    Imperial Bedroom
    by Elvis Costello

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  9. 59.
    Appetite for Destruction
    by Guns N' Roses

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  10. 60.
    Nebraska
    by Bruce Springsteen

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  11. 61.
    Homotopy to Marie
    by Nurse With Wound

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  12. 62.
    Reckoning
    by R.E.M.

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  13. 63.
    Colossal Youth
    by Young Marble Giants

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  14. 64.
    And Don't the Kids Just Love It
    by Television Personalities

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  15. 65.
    Underwater Moonlight
    by The Soft Boys

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  16. 66.
    Psonic Psunspot

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  17. 67.
    Rum Sodomy & the Lash
    by The Pogues

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  18. 68.
    Stop Making Sense: Special New Edition (1984 Film)
    by Talking Heads

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  19. 69.
    Crazy Rhythms
    by The Feelies

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  20. 70.
    Trust
    by Elvis Costello

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  21. 71.
    Pleased to Meet Me
    by The Replacements

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  22. 72.
    Up on the Sun
    by Meat Puppets

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  23. 73.
    Horse Rotorvator
    by Coil

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  24. 74.
    Fear and Whiskey
    by Mekons

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  25. 75.
    Criminal Minded
    by Boogie Down Productions

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  26. 76.
    Stands for Decibels
    by The dB's

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  27. 77.
    Strangeways, Here We Come
    by The Smiths

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  28. 78.
    Lincoln
    by They Might Be Giants

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  29. 79.
    E2-E4
    by Manuel Göttsching

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  30. 80.
    New Day Rising
    by Hüsker Dü

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  31. 81.
    Blue Bell Knoll
    by Cocteau Twins

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  32. 82.
    Perverted by Language
    by The Fall

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  33. 83.
    The Colour of Spring
    by Talk Talk

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  34. 84.
    ?
    Come Away with ESG

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  35. 85.
    Graceland
    by Paul Simon

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  36. 86.
    Ghost in the Machine
    by The Police

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  37. 87.
    Dirty Mind
    by Prince

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  38. 88.
    Playing with Fire
    by Spacemen 3

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  39. 89.
    ?
    Soul Discharge
    by The Boredoms

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  40. 90.
    Nothing's Shocking
    by Jane's Addiction

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  41. 91.
    Los Angeles
    by X

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  42. 92.
    Hounds of Love
    by Kate Bush

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  43. 93.
    Scary Monsters
    by David Bowie

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  44. 94.
    Meat Puppets II
    by Meat Puppets

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  45. 95.
    Rio
    by Duran Duran

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  46. 96.
    Rites of Spring - End on End
    by Rites of Spring

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  47. 97.
    The Mekons Rock 'n' Roll
    by The Mekons

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  48. 98.
    Treasure
    by Cocteau Twins

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  49. 99.
    Songs of the Free
    by Gang of Four

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  50. 100.
    Complete Discography
    by Minor Threat

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Created by Robot Co-op on Nov 30, 2005.
 

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