80s 101: 101 essential albums

[Dead Planet]

1 minute ago, Glen said:

maybe but surely that Survivor album is hard rock. So different to their other albums albums 🤔 

I'll admit that it is their best but it still wouldn't make my 'best of' lists....

[DorrianWolf]

Here is my list. In no special order. It's never easy choosing but I tried my best:
1.Magnum-On a storytellers night (1985)
2.Dare-Out of the silence (1988)
3.Giant-Last of the runaways (1989)
4.Danger danger-S/T (1989)
5.Dokken-Under lock and key (1985)
6.FM-Tough it out (1989)
7.Def Leppard-Hysteria (1987)
8.Toto-The Seventh one (1988)
9.GNR-Appetite (1987)
10.AC/DC-Back in black (1980)
11.Bon Jovi-S/T (1984)
12.Ratt-Invasion of your privacy (1985)
13.Fate-A matter of attitude (1986)
14.Treat-Dreamhunter (1987)
15.Survivor-Too hot to sleep (1988)
16.Bad English-S/T (1989)
17.House of Lords-S/T (1988)
18.Journey-Escape (1981)
19.Babylon A.D.-S/T (1988)
20.Whitesnake-1987 (1987)
21.Bryan Adams-Reckless (1984)
22.Bonfire-Point blank (1989)
23.Virgin Steele-Age of consent (1988)
24.Walk on fire-Blind faith (1989)
25.Tesla-Mechanical Resonance (1986)
26.Winger-S/T (1988)
27.Cinderella-Long cold winter (1988)
28.Vain-No respect (1989)
29.Motley Crue-Dr. Feelgood (1989)
30.Poison-Open up and say ahh (1988)
31.TNT-Tell no tales (1987)
32.Signal-Loud and clear (1989)
33.Aviator-S/T (1986)
34.Iron Maiden-Powerslave (1984)
35.Dan Reed Network-Slam (1989)
36.Silent rage-Don't touch me there (1989)
37.Van Halen-5150 (1986)
38.David Roberts-All dressed up (1982)
39.Noiseworks-Touch (1988)
40.Preview-S/T (1983)
41.China-Sign in the sky (1989)
42.Time gallery-S/T (1989)
43.Europe-Out of this world (1988)
44.Cutting crew-Broadcast (1986)
45.Great White-Once bitten (1987)
46.Diving for pearls-S/T (1989)
47.Michael Morales-S/T (1989)
48.Fifth angel-Time will tell (1989)
49.Melidian-Lost in the wild (1989)
50.Rick Springfield-Success hasn't spoiled me yet (1982).
51.Da Vinci-Back in bussiness (1989)
52.Charlie-S/T (1983)
53.Skid row-S/T (1989)
54.Strangeways-Walk in the fire (1989)
55.38 Special-Tour de force (1983)
56.Michael Bolton-Everybodys crazy (1985)
57.BulletBoys-S/T (1988)
58.White Lion-Pride (1987)
59.L.A. Guns-Cocked and loaded (1989)
60.Ozzy Osbourne-Diary of a madman (1982)
61.Avalon-Everyman a king (1982)
62.Chicago-19 (1988)
63.Night Ranger-Big life (1987)
64.Winter rose-S/T (1989)
65.Aldo Nova-Twitch (1985)
66.Drive she said-S/T (1989)
67.Lion-Trouble in angel city (1989)
68.Prophet-S/T (1985)
69.Billy Satellite-S/T (1984)
70.Alien-S/T (1989)
71.Restless heart-Wheels (1986)
72.Dio-Holy diver (1984)
73.Van Stephenson-Suspicious heart (1986)
74.Boulevard-BLVD (1988)
75.Kiss-Crazy nights (1987)
76.Vinnie Vincent Invasion-S/T (1986)
77.Shark Island-Law of the order (1989)
78.Network-Crashin Hollywood (1989)
79.Eddie Money-No control (1982)
80.Triumph-Allied forces (1982)
81.Metallica-Ride the lightning (1984)
82.Riot-Thundersteel (1988)
83.Helloween-Keeper of the seven keys pt 2 (1988)
84.Lillian Axe-Love + War (1989)
85.Chris Eaton-Vision (1986)
86.Bruce Springsteen-Born in the usa (1984)
87.Queensryche-Operation mindcrime (1988)
88.Honeymoon suite-The prize (1985)
89.Y&T-In for the count (1986)
90.Joshua-Intense defense (1988)
91.Asia-Astra (1985)
92.Sammy Hagar-Three lock box (1982)
93.Craaft-Second honeymoon (1989)
94.Jojo-S/T (1988)
95.Alice Cooper-Trash (1989)
96.Transit-Dirty pleasures (1989)
97.Zappacosta-S/T (1984)
98.Brighton rock-Take a deep breath (1988)
99.Bridge 2 Far-S/T (1989)
100.White sister-S/T (1984)
101.Swedish Erotica-S/T (1989)

[Glen]

its v interesting to see peoples choice between albums of a band .

No way would I ever choose Powerslave over NOTB. nor Astra over the debut. 

However I see you chose Walk in the Fire like me but Geoff Chose Native Sons 

Also Magnum. I love Storytellers Night but will always prefer Vigilante. 

[DorrianWolf]

47 minutes ago, Glen said:

its v interesting to see peoples choice between albums of a band .

No way would I ever choose Powerslave over NOTB. nor Astra over the debut. 

However I see you chose Walk in the Fire like me but Geoff Chose Native Sons 

Also Magnum. I love Storytellers Night but will always prefer Vigilante. 

For me Powerslave just has certain vibe I dig,although all of the 80s Maiden albums are classics in my book. I guess Ancient Egyptian theme.

Astra is more straight forward AOR,more keys,thats why I like it. 

When it comes to Magnum it was hard picking between OASTN and Vigilante,because these two are eaasily their greatest works,but had to pick just one.

Also like Wings of heaven,but it was more patchy compared to previous two,some great songs,some filler.

Honestly,I rarely wanna listen to Native sons,it's another quality album,but for me Walk in the fire is just another level,but tastes differ. As long as we like those bands that's all that matter.

 

 

 

[whiplash1972]

First off, damn you to Hell for doing this auslander!   I've been working on this on and off for over a week now...

Anyway, here's my list... not alot of surprises, just my sincere thoughts on 101 essential 80s albums

80s 101

1. Dokken - Back For the Attack 1987  
2. Def Leppard - Hysteria 1987
3. Van Halen - 5150 1986
4. Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet 1986
5. AC/DC - Back In Black 1980
6. Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime 1988
7. Whitesnake - S/T 1987
8. Guns n Roses - Appetite For Destruction 1987
9. Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood 1989
10. Cinderella - Long Cold Winter 1988
11. Ratt - Out of the Cellar 1984
12. Sammy Hagar - Standing Hampton 1981
13. Y&T - Contagious 1987
14. Metallica - Master of Puppets 1986
15. Kiss - Lick It Up 1983
16. Ozzy Osbourne - No Rest For the Wicked 1988
17. Tesla - Mechanical Resonance 1986
18. Dio - The Last in Line 1984 
19. Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith 1984
20. Journey - Escape 1981 
21. Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation 1987
22. Enuff Z'nuff - S/T 1989 
23. King Kobra - Ready to Strike 1985 
24. David Lee Roth - Eat 'em and Smile 1986 
25. Skid Row - S/T 1989 
26. REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity 1980
27. Europe - The Final Countdown 1986 
28. Twisted Sister - Love is For Suckers 1987
29. Night Ranger - Midnight Madness 1983
30. Bad English - S/T 1989
31. Stryper - To Hell With the Devil 1986
32. Survivor - Vital Signs 1984
33. Foreigner - 4 1981
34. Scorpions - Savage Amusement 1988
35. ZZ Top - Eliminator 1983
36. Bulletboys - S/T 1988
37. Quiet Riot - Metal Health 1983
38. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell 1983 
39. Frehley's Comet - Second Sighting 1988 
40. Krokus - Headhunter 1983
41. Fastway - Trick or Treat Soundtrack 1987
42. Great White - Once Bitten 1987 
43. Toto - IV 1982
44. Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time 1986 
45. The Cult - Sonic Temple 1989
46. Chicago - 17 1984
47. Richard Marx - S/T 1987 
48. Keel - S/T 1987
49. White Lion - Pride 1987
50. Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers 1984
51. Pretty Maids - Future World 1987
52. Poison - Open Up and Say... Ahh ! 1988
53. Kix - Blow My Fuse 1988 
54. Yngwie Malmsteen - Odyssey 1988
55. Blue Murder - S/T 1989 
56. Black n Blue - In Heat 1988  
57. Alice Cooper - Raise Your Fist and Yell 1987 
58. Mr. Mister - Welcome to the Real World 1985
59. L.A. Guns - S/T 1988 
60. TNT - Intuition 1989 
61. Lizzy Borden - Visual Lies 1987 
62. Kingdom Come - S/T 1988
63. The Outfield - Play Deep 1985
64. Loverboy - Wildside 1987
65. April Wine  - The Nature of the Beast 1981
66. Anthrax - Among the Living 1987
67. Rush - Moving Pictures  1981
68. Tora Tora - Surprise Attack 1989
69.  Badlands - S/T 1989
70. Rick Springfield - Living in Oz 1983
71. Black Sabbath - Mob Rules 1981
72. Mr. Big - S/T 1989
73. Billy Squier - Don't Say No 1981
74. Bryan Adams - Reckless 1984
75.  Heart - S/T 1985
76. Aldo Nova - S/T 1982
77. EZO - S/T 1987
78. Vinnie Vincent Invasion - All Systems Go 1988
79. W.A.S.P. - S/T 1984
80. Faster Pussycat - Wake Me When It's Over 1989
81. Lillian Axe - Love & War 1989
82. Pat Benatar - Crimes of Passion 1980
83. Megadeth - Peace Sells... 1986
84. Yes - 90125 1983
85. Steve Perry - Street Talk 1984
86. Dangerous Toys - S/T 1989
87. Glass Tiger - The Thin Red Line 1986
88. Giant - Last of the Runaways 1989
89. Rock Candy - Sucker for a Pretty Face 1987
90. Accept - Metal Heart 1985
91. Cheap Trick - Lap of Luxury 1988
92. XYZ - S/T 1989
93. Robert Plant - Now and Zen 1988
94. Cher - Heart of Stone 1989
95. Metal Church - The Dark 1987
96. Bang Tango - Psycho Cafe 1989
97. Gorky Park - S/T 1989
98. D.A.D - No Fuel Left For the Pilgrims 1989
99. Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King 1987
100. Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II 1988
101. Saxon - Wheels of Steel 1980

The breakdown:

1980: 4
1981: 7
1982: 2
1983: 8
1984: 9
1985: 5
1986: 10
1987: 21
1988: 16
1989: 19

I turned 14 in the summer of 1986, and started doing anything I could think of around the house to earn a buck, and that, combined with birthday and Christmas money began funding my music addiction via Columbia House and BMG. It makes sense that so many of my picks are from that year forward.

My God, how good were the last 3 years of the decade? Unreal.

Rankings after 21-25 or so became really difficult, and to be honest, there's not a ton of difference in my mind between 21 and 101. Sooooooooo much good stuff in the 80s! 

A few groups like Winger, Warrant, and House of Lords are intentionally absent just in case I decide to do the 90s 101  

 

 

 

[Glen]

14 hours ago, whiplash1972 said:

First off, damn you to Hell for doing this auslander!   I've been working on this on and off for over a week now...

Anyway, here's my list... not alot of surprises, just my sincere thoughts on 101 essential 80s albums

80s 101

1. Dokken - Back For the Attack 1987  
2. Def Leppard - Hysteria 1987
3. Van Halen - 5150 1986
4. Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet 1986
5. AC/DC - Back In Black 1980
6. Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime 1988
7. Whitesnake - S/T 1987
8. Guns n Roses - Appetite For Destruction 1987
9. Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood 1989
10. Cinderella - Long Cold Winter 1988
11. Ratt - Out of the Cellar 1984
12. Sammy Hagar - Standing Hampton 1981
13. Y&T - Contagious 1987
14. Metallica - Master of Puppets 1986
15. Kiss - Lick It Up 1983
16. Ozzy Osbourne - No Rest For the Wicked 1988
17. Tesla - Mechanical Resonance 1986
18. Dio - The Last in Line 1984 
19. Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith 1984
20. Journey - Escape 1981 
21. Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation 1987
22. Enuff Z'nuff - S/T 1989 
23. King Kobra - Ready to Strike 1985 
24. David Lee Roth - Eat 'em and Smile 1986 
25. Skid Row - S/T 1989 
26. REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity 1980
27. Europe - The Final Countdown 1986 
28. Twisted Sister - Love is For Suckers 1987
29. Night Ranger - Midnight Madness 1983
30. Bad English - S/T 1989
31. Stryper - To Hell With the Devil 1986
32. Survivor - Vital Signs 1984
33. Foreigner - 4 1981
34. Scorpions - Savage Amusement 1988
35. ZZ Top - Eliminator 1983
36. Bulletboys - S/T 1988
37. Quiet Riot - Metal Health 1983
38. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell 1983 
39. Frehley's Comet - Second Sighting 1988 
40. Krokus - Headhunter 1983
41. Fastway - Trick or Treat Soundtrack 1987
42. Great White - Once Bitten 1987 
43. Toto - IV 1982
44. Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time 1986 
45. The Cult - Sonic Temple 1989
46. Chicago - 17 1984
47. Richard Marx - S/T 1987 
48. Keel - S/T 1987
49. White Lion - Pride 1987
50. Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers 1984
51. Pretty Maids - Future World 1987
52. Poison - Open Up and Say... Ahh ! 1988
53. Kix - Blow My Fuse 1988 
54. Yngwie Malmsteen - Odyssey 1988
55. Blue Murder - S/T 1989 
56. Black n Blue - In Heat 1988  
57. Alice Cooper - Raise Your Fist and Yell 1987 
58. Mr. Mister - Welcome to the Real World 1985
59. L.A. Guns - S/T 1988 
60. TNT - Intuition 1989 
61. Lizzy Borden - Visual Lies 1987 
62. Kingdom Come - S/T 1988
63. The Outfield - Play Deep 1985
64. Loverboy - Wildside 1987
65. April Wine  - The Nature of the Beast 1981
66. Anthrax - Among the Living 1987
67. Rush - Moving Pictures  1981
68. Tora Tora - Surprise Attack 1989
69.  Badlands - S/T 1989
70. Rick Springfield - Living in Oz 1983
71. Black Sabbath - Mob Rules 1981
72. Mr. Big - S/T 1989
73. Billy Squier - Don't Say No 1981
74. Bryan Adams - Reckless 1984
75.  Heart - S/T 1985
76. Aldo Nova - S/T 1982
77. EZO - S/T 1987
78. Vinnie Vincent Invasion - All Systems Go 1988
79. W.A.S.P. - S/T 1984
80. Faster Pussycat - Wake Me When It's Over 1989
81. Lillian Axe - Love & War 1989
82. Pat Benatar - Crimes of Passion 1980
83. Megadeth - Peace Sells... 1986
84. Yes - 90125 1983
85. Steve Perry - Street Talk 1984
86. Dangerous Toys - S/T 1989
87. Glass Tiger - The Thin Red Line 1986
88. Giant - Last of the Runaways 1989
89. Rock Candy - Sucker for a Pretty Face 1987
90. Accept - Metal Heart 1985
91. Cheap Trick - Lap of Luxury 1988
92. XYZ - S/T 1989
93. Robert Plant - Now and Zen 1988
94. Cher - Heart of Stone 1989
95. Metal Church - The Dark 1987
96. Bang Tango - Psycho Cafe 1989
97. Gorky Park - S/T 1989
98. D.A.D - No Fuel Left For the Pilgrims 1989
99. Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King 1987
100. Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II 1988
101. Saxon - Wheels of Steel 1980

The breakdown:

1980: 4
1981: 7
1982: 2
1983: 8
1984: 9
1985: 5
1986: 10
1987: 21
1988: 16
1989: 19

I turned 14 in the summer of 1986, and started doing anything I could think of around the house to earn a buck, and that, combined with birthday and Christmas money began funding my music addiction via Columbia House and BMG. It makes sense that so many of my picks are from that year forward.

My God, how good were the last 3 years of the decade? Unreal.

Rankings after 21-25 or so became really difficult, and to be honest, there's not a ton of difference in my mind between 21 and 101. Sooooooooo much good stuff in the 80s! 

A few groups like Winger, Warrant, and House of Lords are intentionally absent just in case I decide to do the 90s 101  

 

 

 

you ranked them as well 😳 Impressive 

[auslander]

On 7/29/2021 at 2:20 AM, whiplash1972 said:

First off, damn you to Hell for doing this auslander!   I've been working on this on and off for over a week now...

Anyway, here's my list... not alot of surprises, just my sincere thoughts on 101 essential 80s albums

80s 101

1. Dokken - Back For the Attack 1987  
2. Def Leppard - Hysteria 1987
3. Van Halen - 5150 1986
4. Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet 1986
5. AC/DC - Back In Black 1980
6. Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime 1988
7. Whitesnake - S/T 1987
8. Guns n Roses - Appetite For Destruction 1987
9. Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood 1989
10. Cinderella - Long Cold Winter 1988
11. Ratt - Out of the Cellar 1984
12. Sammy Hagar - Standing Hampton 1981
13. Y&T - Contagious 1987
14. Metallica - Master of Puppets 1986
15. Kiss - Lick It Up 1983
16. Ozzy Osbourne - No Rest For the Wicked 1988
17. Tesla - Mechanical Resonance 1986
18. Dio - The Last in Line 1984 
19. Judas Priest - Defenders of the Faith 1984
20. Journey - Escape 1981 
21. Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation 1987
22. Enuff Z'nuff - S/T 1989 
23. King Kobra - Ready to Strike 1985 
24. David Lee Roth - Eat 'em and Smile 1986 
25. Skid Row - S/T 1989 
26. REO Speedwagon - Hi Infidelity 1980
27. Europe - The Final Countdown 1986 
28. Twisted Sister - Love is For Suckers 1987
29. Night Ranger - Midnight Madness 1983
30. Bad English - S/T 1989
31. Stryper - To Hell With the Devil 1986
32. Survivor - Vital Signs 1984
33. Foreigner - 4 1981
34. Scorpions - Savage Amusement 1988
35. ZZ Top - Eliminator 1983
36. Bulletboys - S/T 1988
37. Quiet Riot - Metal Health 1983
38. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell 1983 
39. Frehley's Comet - Second Sighting 1988 
40. Krokus - Headhunter 1983
41. Fastway - Trick or Treat Soundtrack 1987
42. Great White - Once Bitten 1987 
43. Toto - IV 1982
44. Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time 1986 
45. The Cult - Sonic Temple 1989
46. Chicago - 17 1984
47. Richard Marx - S/T 1987 
48. Keel - S/T 1987
49. White Lion - Pride 1987
50. Deep Purple - Perfect Strangers 1984
51. Pretty Maids - Future World 1987
52. Poison - Open Up and Say... Ahh ! 1988
53. Kix - Blow My Fuse 1988 
54. Yngwie Malmsteen - Odyssey 1988
55. Blue Murder - S/T 1989 
56. Black n Blue - In Heat 1988  
57. Alice Cooper - Raise Your Fist and Yell 1987 
58. Mr. Mister - Welcome to the Real World 1985
59. L.A. Guns - S/T 1988 
60. TNT - Intuition 1989 
61. Lizzy Borden - Visual Lies 1987 
62. Kingdom Come - S/T 1988
63. The Outfield - Play Deep 1985
64. Loverboy - Wildside 1987
65. April Wine  - The Nature of the Beast 1981
66. Anthrax - Among the Living 1987
67. Rush - Moving Pictures  1981
68. Tora Tora - Surprise Attack 1989
69.  Badlands - S/T 1989
70. Rick Springfield - Living in Oz 1983
71. Black Sabbath - Mob Rules 1981
72. Mr. Big - S/T 1989
73. Billy Squier - Don't Say No 1981
74. Bryan Adams - Reckless 1984
75.  Heart - S/T 1985
76. Aldo Nova - S/T 1982
77. EZO - S/T 1987
78. Vinnie Vincent Invasion - All Systems Go 1988
79. W.A.S.P. - S/T 1984
80. Faster Pussycat - Wake Me When It's Over 1989
81. Lillian Axe - Love & War 1989
82. Pat Benatar - Crimes of Passion 1980
83. Megadeth - Peace Sells... 1986
84. Yes - 90125 1983
85. Steve Perry - Street Talk 1984
86. Dangerous Toys - S/T 1989
87. Glass Tiger - The Thin Red Line 1986
88. Giant - Last of the Runaways 1989
89. Rock Candy - Sucker for a Pretty Face 1987
90. Accept - Metal Heart 1985
91. Cheap Trick - Lap of Luxury 1988
92. XYZ - S/T 1989
93. Robert Plant - Now and Zen 1988
94. Cher - Heart of Stone 1989
95. Metal Church - The Dark 1987
96. Bang Tango - Psycho Cafe 1989
97. Gorky Park - S/T 1989
98. D.A.D - No Fuel Left For the Pilgrims 1989
99. Savatage - Hall of the Mountain King 1987
100. Helloween - Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II 1988
101. Saxon - Wheels of Steel 1980

The breakdown:

1980: 4
1981: 7
1982: 2
1983: 8
1984: 9
1985: 5
1986: 10
1987: 21
1988: 16
1989: 19

I turned 14 in the summer of 1986, and started doing anything I could think of around the house to earn a buck, and that, combined with birthday and Christmas money began funding my music addiction via Columbia House and BMG. It makes sense that so many of my picks are from that year forward.

My God, how good were the last 3 years of the decade? Unreal.

Rankings after 21-25 or so became really difficult, and to be honest, there's not a ton of difference in my mind between 21 and 101. Sooooooooo much good stuff in the 80s! 

A few groups like Winger, Warrant, and House of Lords are intentionally absent just in case I decide to do the 90s 101  

 

 

 

Even a list maniac like myself didn't rank them! Nice work indeed.