Albums of 1985

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1. 1
   Spreading the DiseaseAnthrax

   Spreading the Disease

   Anthrax · 1985 · Metal

   A sharp, tuneful thrash peak. Tight and beloved. A high point.

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2. 2
   To Mega TherionCeltic Frost

   To Mega Therion

   Celtic Frost · 1985 · Metal

   An adventurous, avant-metal landmark of crushing invention. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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3. 3
   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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4. 4
   Bonded by BloodExodus

   Bonded by Blood

   Exodus · 1985 · Metal

   A ferocious Bay Area thrash landmark. Fast and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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5. 5
   Rock Me TonightFreddie Jackson

   Rock Me Tonight

   Freddie Jackson · 1985 · Soul & R&B

   A debut that spent weeks at the top of the R&B charts — polished urban soul with genuine warmth at its centre.

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6. 6
   New Day RisingHüsker Dü

   New Day Rising

   Hüsker Dü · 1985 · Alternative & Indie

   A loud, melodic hardcore-into-pop peak. Raw and beloved. A high point.

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7. 7
   Hounds of LoveKate Bush

   Hounds of Love

   Kate Bush · 1985 · Pop

   A two-sided masterpiece, pop singles up front and the experimental 'Ninth Wave' suite behind. Inventive and emotional throughout. Her crowning achievement.

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8. 8
   RadioLL Cool J

   Radio

   LL Cool J · 1985 · Hip-Hop

   A foundational, beat-driven debut of early rap swagger. Raw and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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9. 9
   Low-LifeNew Order

   Low-Life

   New Order · 1985 · Electronic

   A peak of melancholic dance-rock, home to 'The Perfect Kiss'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.

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10. 10
    Seven ChurchesPossessed

    Seven Churches

    Possessed · 1985 · Metal

    A proto-death-metal landmark of extreme speed. Brutal and influential. A genre origin point.

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11. 11
    Around the World in a DayPrince

    Around the World in a Day

    Prince · 1985 · Pop

    A psychedelic-pop pivot after Purple Rain. Bold and beloved. A creative swerve.

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12. 12
    Hell AwaitsSlayer

    Hell Awaits

    Slayer · 1985 · Metal

    A dark, fast early peak of proto-death thrash. Brutal and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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13. 13
    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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14. 14
    Songs from the Big ChairTears for Fears

    Songs from the Big Chair

    Tears for Fears · 1985 · Pop

    Lush, ambitious synth-pop of real depth, home to 'Everybody Wants to Rule the World'. Polished and emotional. An 80s peak.

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15. 15
    The Head on the DoorThe Cure

    The Head on the Door

    The Cure · 1985 · Alternative & Indie

    A bright, accessible pop peak balancing gloom and hooks. Tuneful and beloved. A turning point.

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16. 16
    PsychocandyThe Jesus and Mary Chain

    Psychocandy

    The Jesus and Mary Chain · 1985 · Alternative & Indie

    A landmark of feedback-drenched pop, melody buried in noise. Influential and thrilling. A genre cornerstone.

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17. 17
    TimThe Replacements

    Tim

    The Replacements · 1985 · Alternative & Indie

    A sharper, major-label peak of ragged, heartfelt rock. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.

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18. 18
    Meat Is MurderThe Smiths

    Meat Is Murder

    The Smiths · 1985 · Punk & New Wave

    A sharper, more political peak of Marr's guitars and Morrissey's wit. Bold and beloved. A fan favourite.

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19. 19
    Rain DogsTom Waits

    Rain Dogs

    Tom Waits · 1985 · Folk & Singer-Songwriter

    A wild, junkyard-orchestra masterpiece of broken ballads and barroom experiments. Singular and brilliant. His defining record.

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20. 20
    Whitney HoustonWhitney Houston

    Whitney Houston

    Whitney Houston · 1985 · Pop

    A debut that announced one of the great voices in pop, balancing ballads and dance-pop with effortless power. A blockbuster on release. The start of an era.

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21. 21
    Hunting High and Lowa-ha

    Hunting High and Low

    a-ha · 1985 · Pop

    A synth-pop debut of soaring melodrama, home to 'Take On Me'. Bright and tuneful. An 80s staple.

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