Albums of 1980
The records from 1980 that made our lists.
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1Super TrouperABBA
Super Trouper
A reflective, hook-laden peak, home to its title track and 'The Winner Takes It All'. Tuneful and beloved. A late high.
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2Back in BlackAC/DC
Back in Black
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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3Kings of the Wild FrontierAdam and the Ants
Kings of the Wild Frontier
A flamboyant, drum-heavy new-wave landmark. Bold and huge. A defining 80s record.
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4In the Flat FieldBauhaus
In the Flat Field
A gloomy, angular goth landmark of dread. Dark and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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5Heaven and HellBlack Sabbath
Heaven and Hell
A triumphant Dio-fronted reinvention of melodic metal. Powerful and beloved. A late peak.
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6SinsemillaBlack Uhuru
Sinsemilla
A heavy, Sly-and-Robbie-powered roots peak. Tough and acclaimed. A strong record.
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7UprisingBob Marley and the Wailers
Uprising
A reflective, spiritual late peak, home to 'Redemption Song'. Powerful and poignant. A moving record.
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8The RiverBruce Springsteen
The River
A sprawling double album balancing bar-band joy and stark ballads. Generous and beloved. A peak.
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9Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)David Bowie
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
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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10Fresh Fruit for Rotting VegetablesDead Kennedys
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
A savage, satirical hardcore debut of surf-tinged speed and political venom. Fast and funny. A genre landmark.
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11DianaDiana Ross
Diana
A sleek Chic-produced peak, home to 'Upside Down' and 'I'm Coming Out'. Polished and huge. Her commercial high.
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12Making MoviesDire Straits
Making Movies
A cinematic, romantic peak, home to 'Romeo and Juliet'. Lush and acclaimed. A creative high.
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13Get Happy!!Elvis Costello
Get Happy!!
A soul-and-Motown-inspired burst of twenty short songs. Tuneful and energetic. A fan favourite.
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14I Am What I AmGeorge Jones
I Am What I Am
A peak of classic country balladry, home to 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'. Devastating and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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15Iron MaidenIron Maiden
Iron Maiden
A raw, punky debut of galloping NWOBHM energy. Vital and influential. The start of a legend.
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16CloserJoy Division
Closer
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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17British SteelJudas Priest
British Steel
The album that streamlined heavy metal into anthems, from 'Breaking the Law' to 'Living After Midnight'. Tight and iconic. A genre cornerstone.
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18Bass CultureLinton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
A landmark of dub poetry and political reggae. Sharp and influential. A singular British record.
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19Ace of SpadesMotörhead
Ace of Spades
Fast, loud and gloriously dirty, the album that defined Motörhead and bridged punk and metal. The title track is immortal. Pure adrenaline.
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20Blizzard of OzzOzzy Osbourne
Blizzard of Ozz
A solo debut powered by Randy Rhoads's virtuoso guitar, home to 'Crazy Train'. Sharp and influential. A metal classic.
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21Peter Gabriel (Melt)Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel (Melt)
A dark, art-rock peak, home to 'Games Without Frontiers'. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative high.
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22PretendersPretenders
Pretenders
A sharp, tuneful debut of new-wave swagger, home to 'Brass in Pocket'. Tough and beloved. A landmark.
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23Dirty MindPrince
Dirty Mind
A raw, provocative new-wave-funk peak of sexual energy. Bold and influential. A creative leap.
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24The GameQueen
The Game
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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25Permanent WavesRush
Permanent Waves
A tighter, new-wave-influenced pivot, home to 'The Spirit of Radio'. Sharp and beloved. A turning point.
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26GauchoSteely Dan
Gaucho
An immaculate, glossy final-era peak. Polished and acclaimed. A high point.
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27Remain in LightTalking Heads
Remain in Light
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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28Sandinista!The Clash
Sandinista!
A sprawling, eclectic triple album of dub, funk, rap and rock. Uneven but visionary. A bold, generous statement.
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29Seventeen SecondsThe Cure
Seventeen Seconds
A spare, atmospheric early peak. Moody and acclaimed. A turning point.
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30Sound AffectsThe Jam
Sound Affects
A sharp, post-punk-influenced peak of taut English pop. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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31Zenyatta MondattaThe Police
Zenyatta Mondatta
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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32PretendersThe Pretenders
Pretenders
A sharp, tuneful debut of new-wave swagger, home to 'Brass in Pocket'. Tough and beloved. A landmark.
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33BoyU2
Boy
An urgent, atmospheric debut of youthful post-punk. Bold and acclaimed. A striking start.
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34Signing OffUB40
Signing Off
A politically charged British reggae debut of real depth. Bold and acclaimed. A strong start.
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35ZappZapp
Zapp
Roger Troutman's talk-box funk debut, home to 'More Bounce to the Ounce'. Influential and beloved. An electro-funk cornerstone.