Albums of 1981
The records from 1981 that made our lists.
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1DamagedBlack Flag
Damaged
A raw, intense hardcore landmark of alienation and aggression. Pummeling and influential. A foundational document.
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2RedBlack Uhuru
Red
Tight, heavy roots reggae powered by the Sly and Robbie rhythm section. Their most acclaimed record. A rockers cornerstone.
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3Wa-Do-DemEek-A-Mouse
Wa-Do-Dem
A playful, sing-jay dancehall peak of singular style. Fun and beloved. A genre highlight.
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4NightclubbingGrace Jones
Nightclubbing
A cool, reggae-and-new-wave-tinged art-disco peak, home to 'Pull Up to the Bumper'. Striking and acclaimed. Her finest.
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5EscapeJourney
Escape
A blockbuster of arena-rock anthems, home to 'Don't Stop Believin''. Polished and huge. Their commercial peak.
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6DisciplineKing Crimson
Discipline
A taut, polyrhythmic 80s reinvention. Inventive and acclaimed. A creative high.
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7Computer WorldKraftwerk
Computer World
A prescient meditation on data, machines and digital life, tighter and funkier than ever. Decades ahead of its time. Essential Kraftwerk.
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8MovementNew Order
Movement
A transitional debut still shadowed by Joy Division. Atmospheric and acclaimed. A starting point.
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9Architecture & MoralityOrchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Architecture & Morality
A melodic, ambitious synth-pop peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. Their finest.
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10Street SongsRick James
Street Songs
A blockbuster funk peak, home to 'Super Freak' and 'Give It to Me Baby'. Slick and huge. His finest.
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11Moving PicturesRush
Moving Pictures
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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12Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the VampiresScientist
Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires
A landmark dub album of playful mixing-desk invention. Inventive and beloved. A genre classic.
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13JujuSiouxsie and the Banshees
Juju
A dark, swirling post-punk peak that helped shape goth. Atmospheric and sharp. Their defining record.
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14Non-Stop Erotic CabaretSoft Cell
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
A sleazy, tuneful synth-pop debut, home to 'Tainted Love'. Dark and danceable. An 80s classic.
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15Beauty and the BeatThe Go-Go's
Beauty and the Beat
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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16DareThe Human League
Dare
A sleek synth-pop landmark, home to 'Don't You Want Me'. Glossy and influential. A defining 80s record.
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17Ghost in the MachineThe Police
Ghost in the Machine
A horn-tinged peak, home to 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic'. Polished and beloved. A high point.
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18Tattoo YouThe Rolling Stones
Tattoo You
A polished late peak assembled from outtakes, home to 'Start Me Up'. Tuneful and big. Their last great commercial record.