Albums of 1980

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1. 1
   Super TrouperABBA

   Super Trouper

   ABBA · 1980 · Pop

   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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2. 2
   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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3. 3
   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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4. 4
   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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5. 5
   Heaven and HellBlack Sabbath

   Heaven and Hell

   Black Sabbath · 1980 · Metal

   A triumphant Dio-fronted reinvention of melodic metal. Powerful and beloved. A late peak.

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6. 6
   SinsemillaBlack Uhuru

   Sinsemilla

   Black Uhuru · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

   A heavy, Sly-and-Robbie-powered roots peak. Tough and acclaimed. A strong record.

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7. 7
   UprisingBob Marley and the Wailers

   Uprising

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

   A reflective, spiritual late peak, home to 'Redemption Song'. Powerful and poignant. A moving record.

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8. 8
   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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9. 9
   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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10. 10
    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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11. 11
    DianaDiana Ross

    Diana

    Diana Ross · 1980 · Funk & Disco

    A sleek Chic-produced peak, home to 'Upside Down' and 'I'm Coming Out'. Polished and huge. Her commercial high.

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12. 12
    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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13. 13
    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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14. 14
    I Am What I AmGeorge Jones

    I Am What I Am

    George Jones · 1980 · Country & Americana

    A peak of classic country balladry, home to 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'. Devastating and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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15. 15
    Iron MaidenIron Maiden

    Iron Maiden

    Iron Maiden · 1980 · Metal

    A raw, punky debut of galloping NWOBHM energy. Vital and influential. The start of a legend.

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16. 16
    Shadows and LightJoni Mitchell

    Shadows and Light

    Joni Mitchell · 1980 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    The live document of her jazz period — Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny in the band, her voice and phrasing at peak sophistication.

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17. 17
    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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18. 18
    British SteelJudas Priest

    British Steel

    Judas Priest · 1980 · Metal

    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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19. 19
    Celebrate!Kool & the Gang

    Celebrate!

    Kool & the Gang · 1980 · Funk & Disco

    Celebration and the band at their most commercially accessible — four-on-the-floor and irresistible.

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20. 20
    Bass CultureLinton Kwesi Johnson

    Bass Culture

    Linton Kwesi Johnson · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

    A landmark of dub poetry and political reggae. Sharp and influential. A singular British record.

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21. 21
    Ace of SpadesMotörhead

    Ace of Spades

    Motörhead · 1980 · Metal

    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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22. 22
    Blizzard of OzzOzzy Osbourne

    Blizzard of Ozz

    Ozzy Osbourne · 1980 · Metal

    A solo debut powered by Randy Rhoads's virtuoso guitar, home to 'Crazy Train'. Sharp and influential. A metal classic.

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23. 23
    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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24. 24
    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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25. 25
    Dirty MindPrince

    Dirty Mind

    Prince · 1980 · Pop

    A raw, provocative new-wave-funk peak of sexual energy. Bold and influential. A creative leap.

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26. 26
    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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27. 27
    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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28. 28
    GauchoSteely Dan

    Gaucho

    Steely Dan · 1980 · Rock

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

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29. 29
    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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30. 30
    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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31. 31
    Seventeen SecondsThe Cure

    Seventeen Seconds

    The Cure · 1980 · Alternative & Indie

    A spare, atmospheric early peak. Moody and acclaimed. A turning point.

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32. 32
    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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33. 33
    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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34. 34
    BoyU2

    Boy

    U2 · 1980 · Rock

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

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35. 35
    Signing OffUB40

    Signing Off

    UB40 · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

    A politically charged British reggae debut of real depth. Bold and acclaimed. A strong start.

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36. 36
    ZappZapp

    Zapp

    Zapp · 1980 · Funk & Disco

    Roger Troutman's talk-box funk debut, home to 'More Bounce to the Ounce'. Influential and beloved. An electro-funk cornerstone.

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