Albums of 1981

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1. 1
   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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2. 2
   RedBlack Uhuru

   Red

   Black Uhuru · 1981 · Reggae & Dub

   Tight, heavy roots reggae powered by the Sly and Robbie rhythm section. Their most acclaimed record. A rockers cornerstone.

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3. 3
   Wa-Do-DemEek-A-Mouse

   Wa-Do-Dem

   Eek-A-Mouse · 1981 · Reggae & Dub

   A playful, sing-jay dancehall peak of singular style. Fun and beloved. A genre highlight.

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4. 4
   NightclubbingGrace Jones

   Nightclubbing

   Grace Jones · 1981 · Funk & Disco

   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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5. 5
   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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6. 6
   DisciplineKing Crimson

   Discipline

   King Crimson · 1981 · Rock

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

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7. 7
   Computer WorldKraftwerk

   Computer World

   Kraftwerk · 1981 · Electronic

   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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8. 8
   Never Too MuchLuther Vandross

   Never Too Much

   Luther Vandross · 1981 · Soul & R&B

   The debut that announced a voice of extraordinary control — silky, meticulous R&B that set the tone for the decade's polished soul.

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9. 9
   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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10. 10
    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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11. 11
    Street SongsRick James

    Street Songs

    Rick James · 1981 · Funk & Disco

    A blockbuster funk peak, home to 'Super Freak' and 'Give It to Me Baby'. Slick and huge. His finest.

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12. 12
    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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13. 13
    Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the VampiresScientist

    Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires

    Scientist · 1981 · Reggae & Dub

    A landmark dub album of playful mixing-desk invention. Inventive and beloved. A genre classic.

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14. 14
    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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15. 15
    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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16. 16
    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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17. 17
    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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18. 18
    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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19. 19
    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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