The Best Rock Albums of the 1980s

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1. 1
   NebraskaBruce Springsteen

   Nebraska

   Bruce Springsteen · 1982 · Rock

   A stark solo home-recording of murder ballads and desperation, just voice, guitar and tape hiss. Haunting and uncompromising. Unlike anything else in his catalogue.

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2. 2
   Born in the U.S.A.Bruce Springsteen

   Born in the U.S.A.

   Bruce Springsteen · 1984 · Rock

   A massive, misread blockbuster whose anthemic surface hides bitter Vietnam-era disillusion. Seven hit singles deep. His commercial peak.

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3. 3
   Back in BlackAC/DC

   Back in Black

   AC/DC · 1980 · Rock

   A thunderous tribute to the late Bon Scott and one of the best-selling albums ever, riff after immortal riff. Lean and monstrous. A hard-rock cornerstone.

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4. 4
   Appetite for DestructionGuns N' Roses

   Appetite for Destruction

   Guns N' Roses · 1987 · Rock

   A dangerous, electric debut that revived raw rock'n'roll in the hair-metal era. 'Sweet Child o' Mine' and 'Welcome to the Jungle' lead it. A blockbuster classic.

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5. 5
   Full Moon FeverTom Petty

   Full Moon Fever

   Tom Petty · 1989 · Rock

   A breezy, hook-laden solo record of perfect radio rock, from 'Free Fallin'' on. Warm and effortless. His most beloved album.

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6. 6
   Brothers in ArmsDire Straits

   Brothers in Arms

   Dire Straits · 1985 · Rock

   A polished, digital-era blockbuster of immaculate guitar and 'Money for Nothing'. Slick and enormous. A CD-era landmark.

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7. 7
   The Joshua TreeU2

   The Joshua Tree

   U2 · 1987 · Rock

   The album that made U2 the biggest band in the world, widescreen and spiritual, anchored by its towering opening trio. Anthemic and assured. Their masterpiece.

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8. 8
   SynchronicityThe Police

   Synchronicity

   The Police · 1983 · Rock

   The band's polished, tense final album, home to 'Every Breath You Take'. Sleek and dark. Their commercial peak.

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9. 9
   Tattoo YouThe Rolling Stones

   Tattoo You

   The Rolling Stones · 1981 · Rock

   A polished late peak assembled from outtakes, home to 'Start Me Up'. Tuneful and big. Their last great commercial record.

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10. 10
    Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)David Bowie

    Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)

    David Bowie · 1980 · Rock

    A sharp, art-rock peak that closed his classic run, home to 'Ashes to Ashes'. Angular and assured. Often called his last great album of the era.

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11. 11
    Moving PicturesRush

    Moving Pictures

    Rush · 1981 · Rock

    Rush's most accessible peak, balancing prog ambition with tight songs like 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Limelight'. Polished and powerful. Their defining record.

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12. 12
    The RiverBruce Springsteen

    The River

    Bruce Springsteen · 1980 · Rock

    A sprawling double album balancing bar-band joy and stark ballads. Generous and beloved. A peak.

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13. 13
    EliminatorZZ Top

    Eliminator

    ZZ Top · 1983 · Rock

    A synth-and-boogie blockbuster, home to 'Sharp Dressed Man' and 'Legs'. Sleek and huge. Their commercial peak.

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14. 14
    1984Van Halen

    1984

    Van Halen · 1984 · Rock

    A synth-driven peak, home to 'Jump' and 'Panama'. Bright and huge. Their commercial high.

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15. 15
    EscapeJourney

    Escape

    Journey · 1981 · Rock

    A blockbuster of arena-rock anthems, home to 'Don't Stop Believin''. Polished and huge. Their commercial peak.

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16. 16
    AvalonRoxy Music

    Avalon

    Roxy Music · 1982 · Rock

    A lush, sophisticated farewell of romantic art-pop, immaculately produced. Smooth and atmospheric. A late peak.

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17. 17
    SoPeter Gabriel

    So

    Peter Gabriel · 1986 · Rock

    Gabriel's accessible, art-pop blockbuster, home to 'Sledgehammer' and 'In Your Eyes'. Polished and soulful. His commercial peak.

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18. 18
    GracelandPaul Simon

    Graceland

    Paul Simon · 1986 · Rock

    A landmark fusion of pop and South African music, joyful and intricate. Controversial and acclaimed. One of the great 80s albums.

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19. 19
    PretendersPretenders

    Pretenders

    Pretenders · 1980 · Rock

    A sharp, tuneful debut of new-wave swagger, home to 'Brass in Pocket'. Tough and beloved. A landmark.

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20. 20
    WarU2

    War

    U2 · 1983 · Rock

    A fierce, political early peak, home to 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' and 'New Year's Day'. Urgent and anthemic. The album that broke them.

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21. 21
    The Final CutPink Floyd

    The Final Cut

    Pink Floyd · 1983 · Rock

    A bleak, Waters-dominated song-cycle of war and grief. Sombre and divisive. A poignant late record.

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22. 22
    Let's DanceDavid Bowie

    Let's Dance

    David Bowie · 1983 · Rock

    Bowie's glossy, Nile Rodgers-produced pop blockbuster, home to its irresistible title track. Slick and huge. His commercial high.

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23. 23
    The GameQueen

    The Game

    Queen · 1980 · Rock

    A leaner, hit-packed peak, home to 'Another One Bites the Dust' and 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'. Tuneful and huge. A commercial high.

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24. 24
    Permanent WavesRush

    Permanent Waves

    Rush · 1980 · Rock

    A tighter, new-wave-influenced pivot, home to 'The Spirit of Radio'. Sharp and beloved. A turning point.

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25. 25
    GauchoSteely Dan

    Gaucho

    Steely Dan · 1980 · Rock

    An immaculate, glossy final-era peak. Polished and acclaimed. A high point.

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26. 26
    Speaking in TonguesTalking Heads

    Speaking in Tongues

    Talking Heads · 1983 · Rock

    A funky, accessible peak, home to 'Burning Down the House'. Danceable and beloved. A commercial high.

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27. 27
    Little CreaturesTalking Heads

    Little Creatures

    Talking Heads · 1985 · Rock

    A bright, accessible peak, home to 'Road to Nowhere'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.

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28. 28
    Zenyatta MondattaThe Police

    Zenyatta Mondatta

    The Police · 1980 · Rock

    A peak of reggae-tinged new wave, home to 'Don't Stand So Close to Me'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.

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29. 29
    Ghost in the MachineThe Police

    Ghost in the Machine

    The Police · 1981 · Rock

    A horn-tinged peak, home to 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic'. Polished and beloved. A high point.

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30. 30
    Making MoviesDire Straits

    Making Movies

    Dire Straits · 1980 · Rock

    A cinematic, romantic peak, home to 'Romeo and Juliet'. Lush and acclaimed. A creative high.

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31. 31
    Love over GoldDire Straits

    Love over Gold

    Dire Straits · 1982 · Rock

    An ambitious, long-form peak, home to 'Telegraph Road'. Cinematic and acclaimed. A creative high.

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32. 32
    The Unforgettable FireU2

    The Unforgettable Fire

    U2 · 1984 · Rock

    An atmospheric, Eno-and-Lanois-shaped turn, home to 'Pride'. Bold and acclaimed. A pivotal record.

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33. 33
    BoyU2

    Boy

    U2 · 1980 · Rock

    An urgent, atmospheric debut of youthful post-punk. Bold and acclaimed. A striking start.

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34. 34
    Nothing's ShockingJane's Addiction

    Nothing's Shocking

    Jane's Addiction · 1988 · Rock

    A wild, genre-blurring debut that bridged metal, punk and art-rock. Adventurous and influential. An alt-rock landmark.

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35. 35
    PumpAerosmith

    Pump

    Aerosmith · 1989 · Rock

    A polished, hit-stuffed comeback peak. Tuneful and huge. A commercial high.

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36. 36
    Toto IVToto

    Toto IV

    Toto · 1982 · Rock

    A polished pop-rock blockbuster, home to 'Africa' and 'Rosanna'. Slick and huge. Their peak.

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37. 37
    Peter Gabriel (Melt)Peter Gabriel

    Peter Gabriel (Melt)

    Peter Gabriel · 1980 · Rock

    A dark, art-rock peak, home to 'Games Without Frontiers'. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative high.

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38. 38
    The DreamingKate Bush

    The Dreaming

    Kate Bush · 1982 · Rock

    An experimental, dense art-pop peak of restless invention. Bold and acclaimed. A cult favourite.

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39. 39
    DisciplineKing Crimson

    Discipline

    King Crimson · 1981 · Rock

    A taut, polyrhythmic 80s reinvention. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative high.

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