The Best Punk and New Wave Albums of the 1980s

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1. 1
   Remain in LightTalking Heads

   Remain in Light

   Talking Heads · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

   Afrobeat polyrhythms meet art-rock and Eno's production on a dense, ecstatic landmark led by 'Once in a Lifetime'. Layered and danceable, it expanded what a rock band could be. A high point of the era.

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2. 2
   The Queen Is DeadThe Smiths

   The Queen Is Dead

   The Smiths · 1986 · Punk & New Wave

   Morrissey's wit and Marr's chiming guitars at their combined peak, swinging from biting satire to aching tenderness. Widely held to be their masterpiece and a cornerstone of British indie. Funny, sad and gorgeous.

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   CloserJoy Division

   Closer

   Joy Division · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

   Released weeks after Curtis's death, it is colder and more electronic than the debut, and almost unbearably moving in hindsight. Bleak, beautiful and pivotal in the move toward New Order. A landmark of British music.

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4. 4
   Power, Corruption & LiesNew Order

   Power, Corruption & Lies

   New Order · 1983 · Punk & New Wave

   The leap from post-punk grief into electronic dance-rock, melodic and forward-looking. The foundation of their sound. Hugely influential.

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5. 5
   Fresh Fruit for Rotting VegetablesDead Kennedys

   Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

   Dead Kennedys · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

   A savage, satirical hardcore debut of surf-tinged speed and political venom. Fast and funny. A genre landmark.

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6. 6
   DamagedBlack Flag

   Damaged

   Black Flag · 1981 · Punk & New Wave

   A raw, intense hardcore landmark of alienation and aggression. Pummeling and influential. A foundational document.

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7. 7
   Sound AffectsThe Jam

   Sound Affects

   The Jam · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

   A sharp, post-punk-influenced peak of taut English pop. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

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8. 8
   Sandinista!The Clash

   Sandinista!

   The Clash · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

   A sprawling, eclectic triple album of dub, funk, rap and rock. Uneven but visionary. A bold, generous statement.

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   JujuSiouxsie and the Banshees

   Juju

   Siouxsie and the Banshees · 1981 · Punk & New Wave

   A dark, swirling post-punk peak that helped shape goth. Atmospheric and sharp. Their defining record.

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10. 10
    The SmithsThe Smiths

    The Smiths

    The Smiths · 1984 · Punk & New Wave

    A jangly, literate debut that announced a singular partnership. Sharp and beloved. A British landmark.

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    Meat Is MurderThe Smiths

    Meat Is Murder

    The Smiths · 1985 · Punk & New Wave

    A sharper, more political peak of Marr's guitars and Morrissey's wit. Bold and beloved. A fan favourite.

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    Strangeways, Here We ComeThe Smiths

    Strangeways, Here We Come

    The Smiths · 1987 · Punk & New Wave

    Their lush, ambitious final album, the band's own favourite. Tuneful and bittersweet. A strong farewell.

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    Ocean RainEcho & the Bunnymen

    Ocean Rain

    Echo & the Bunnymen · 1984 · Punk & New Wave

    A lush, string-laden peak of dramatic post-punk, home to 'The Killing Moon'. Grand and beautiful. Their masterpiece.

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14. 14
    Get Happy!!Elvis Costello

    Get Happy!!

    Elvis Costello · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

    A soul-and-Motown-inspired burst of twenty short songs. Tuneful and energetic. A fan favourite.

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    SkylarkingXTC

    Skylarking

    XTC · 1986 · Punk & New Wave

    A sunny, Todd Rundgren-produced song-cycle of pastoral English pop. Tuneful and clever. Their most beloved record.

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    Combat RockThe Clash

    Combat Rock

    The Clash · 1982 · Punk & New Wave

    Their biggest album, home to 'Rock the Casbah' and 'Should I Stay or Should I Go'. Tuneful and huge. A commercial peak.

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    Plastic Surgery DisastersDead Kennedys

    Plastic Surgery Disasters

    Dead Kennedys · 1982 · Punk & New Wave

    A sharp, satirical hardcore peak. Fast and acclaimed. A high point.

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    My WarBlack Flag

    My War

    Black Flag · 1984 · Punk & New Wave

    A heavier, slower hardcore landmark that pointed toward sludge. Raw and influential. A pivotal record.

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    Bad BrainsBad Brains

    Bad Brains

    Bad Brains · 1982 · Punk & New Wave

    A ferocious hardcore-meets-reggae debut of blistering speed. Explosive and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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20. 20
    Walk Among UsMisfits

    Walk Among Us

    Misfits · 1982 · Punk & New Wave

    A catchy, horror-themed punk landmark of melody and menace. Fun and influential. A cult classic.

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21. 21
    Hex Enduction HourThe Fall

    Hex Enduction Hour

    The Fall · 1982 · Punk & New Wave

    A dense, abrasive post-punk peak of Mark E. Smith's invective. Sharp and acclaimed. A cult cornerstone.

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22. 22
    Beauty and the BeatThe Go-Go's

    Beauty and the Beat

    The Go-Go's · 1981 · Punk & New Wave

    A bright new-wave-pop debut that topped the charts, home to 'Our Lips Are Sealed'. Tuneful and beloved. A landmark.

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    MovementNew Order

    Movement

    New Order · 1981 · Punk & New Wave

    A transitional debut still shadowed by Joy Division. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A starting point.

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24. 24
    Imperial BedroomElvis Costello

    Imperial Bedroom

    Elvis Costello · 1982 · Punk & New Wave

    A lush, ambitious pop peak of intricate songcraft. Sophisticated and acclaimed. One of his finest.

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25. 25
    English SettlementXTC

    English Settlement

    XTC · 1982 · Punk & New Wave

    A sprawling, pastoral peak of inventive English pop. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

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    NakedTalking Heads

    Naked

    Talking Heads · 1988 · Punk & New Wave

    A worldly, horn-driven final album. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong close.

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27. 27
    In the Flat FieldBauhaus

    In the Flat Field

    Bauhaus · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

    A gloomy, angular goth landmark of dread. Dark and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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    Kings of the Wild FrontierAdam and the Ants

    Kings of the Wild Frontier

    Adam and the Ants · 1980 · Punk & New Wave

    A flamboyant, drum-heavy new-wave landmark. Bold and huge. A defining 80s record.

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    The HurtingTears for Fears

    The Hurting

    Tears for Fears · 1983 · Punk & New Wave

    A dark, synth-driven debut of childhood trauma. Sharp and acclaimed. A strong start.

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    The Colour of SpringTalk Talk

    The Colour of Spring

    Talk Talk · 1986 · Punk & New Wave

    A lush, sophisticated peak before their post-rock turn. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.

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    DareThe Human League

    Dare

    The Human League · 1981 · Punk & New Wave

    A sleek synth-pop landmark, home to 'Don't You Want Me'. Glossy and influential. A defining 80s record.

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    Non-Stop Erotic CabaretSoft Cell

    Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

    Soft Cell · 1981 · Punk & New Wave

    A sleazy, tuneful synth-pop debut, home to 'Tainted Love'. Dark and danceable. An 80s classic.

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    Architecture & MoralityOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

    Architecture & Morality

    Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark · 1981 · Punk & New Wave

    A melodic, ambitious synth-pop peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. Their finest.

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