Top 100 Albums of the 1980s (Pitchfork Staff Lists #03)

From Pitchfork:

It's said that the 1980s are responsible for the worst fashion, fads, and music of any decade of the 20th century. But as we see the decade recycled and updated with post-millennial minimalism, it's becoming clear that the 1980s had more to offer than we've given them credit for. As the calendar left the classless earthtones and polyester of the 1970s behind, musicians looked to the future for inspiration in new genres. With this feature, Pitchfork seeks to prove that, amidst the smooth-jazz of Kenny G, the vanilla soul of Hall & Oates, and the white-trash hair-rock of Warrant, lay a revolution in sound. It is to the vision and perseverance of many of these artists that we owe the roots of hip-hop, synth-pop, and most notably for this publication, alternative and indie rock. Respect is due.

Originally compiled and published by Pitchfork: November 20, 2002.

Spotify version fully updated: April 28, 2014.

The Pitchfork Staff Lists Series:

#01 The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1960s

#02 Top 100 Albums of the 1970s

#03 Top 100 Albums of the 1980s

TOP 100 ALBUMS OF THE 1980s

(Pitchfork, 2002, from #1 to #100, full albums)

(graduated: 6 tracks for #1-#20 albums, 5 tracks for #21-#40 album, 

4 tracks #41-#60, 3 tracks #61-#80, 2 tracks #81-100) 

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Full list

Strikethrough albums (13/100) are not available on Spotify. Some albums may be not available in all countries.

1. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (1987)
2. Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)
3. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989)
4. Pixies - Doolittle (1989)
5. R.E.M. - Murmur (1983)
6. The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)
7. Pixies - Surfer Rosa (1988)
8. Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985)
9. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)
10. Joy Division - Closer (1980)
11. Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones (1983)
12. Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain (1984)
13. The Fall - This Nation's Saving Grace (1985)
14. Sonic Youth - Sister (1987)
15. XTC - Skylarking (1986)
16. Galaxie 500 - On Fire (1989)
17. Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime (1984)
18. De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
19. Public Image, Ltd. - Second Edition (1980)
20. This Heat - Deceit (1981)
21. Brian Eno & David Byrne - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (1981)
22. My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything (1988)
23. The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)
24. Gang of Four - Solid Gold (1981)
25. Black Flag - Damaged (1981)
26. Elvis Costello - Get Happy!! (1980)
27. Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
28. New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)
29. The Replacements - Let It Be (1984)
30. U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)
31. Sonic Youth - EVOL (1986)
32. Hüsker Dü - Zen Arcade (1984)
33. The Fall - Hex Enduction Hour (1982)
34. Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden (1988)
35. N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton (1988)
36. Violent Femmes - Violent Femmes (1983)
37. The Replacements - Tim (1985)
38. The Cure - Disintegration (1989)
39. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses (1989)
40. Dinosaur Jr. - You're Living All Over Me (1987)
41. Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill (1986)
42. Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Session (1988)
43. Run-DMC - Raising Hell (1986)
44. Kraftwerk - Computer World (1981)
45. Prince - Sign 'O' The Times (1987)
46. XTC - English Settlement (1982)
47. John Zorn - Naked City (1989)
48. R.E.M. - Document (1987)
49. Mission of Burma - Vs. (1982)
50. Spacemen 3 - The Perfect Prescription (1987)
51. Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man (1988)
52. Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full (1987)
53. Mission of Burma - Signals, Calls & Marches (1981)
54. Big Black - Songs about Fucking (1987)
55. The Police - Synchronicity (1983)
56. King Crimson - Discipline (1981)
57. Pixies - Come On Pilgrim (1987)
58. Elvis Costello - Imperial Bedroom (1982)
59. Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)
60. Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska (1982)
61. Nurse with Wound - Homotopy to Marie (1982)
62. R.E.M. - Reckoning (1984)
63. Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth (1980)
64. Television Personalities - ...And Don't the Kids Just Love It (1981)
65. The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight (Armageddon; 1980)
66. The Dukes of Stratosphear - Psonic Psunspot (1987)
67. The Pogues - Rum, Sodomy & The Lash (1985)
68. Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (1984)
69. The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms (1980)
70. Elvis Costello - Trust (1981)
71. Replacements - Pleased to Meet Me (1987)
72. Meat Puppets - Up on the Sun (1985)
73. Coil - Horse Rotorvator (1987)
74. Mekons - Fear & Whiskey (1985)
75. Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded (1987)
76. The dB's - Stands for Decibels (1981)
77. The Smiths - Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
78. They Might Be Giants - Lincoln (1989)
79. Manuel Göttsching - E2-E4 (1981)
80. Hüsker Dü - New Day Rising (1985)
81. Cocteau Twins - Blue Bell Knoll (1988)
82. The Fall - Perverted by Language (1983)
83. Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring (1986)
84. ESG - Come Away with ESG (1983)
85. Paul Simon - Graceland (1986)
86. The Police - Ghost in the Machine (1981)
87. Prince - Dirty Mind (1980)
88. Spacemen 3 - Playing with Fire (1989)
89. Boredoms - Soul Discharge (1989)
90. Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking (1988)
91. X - Los Angeles (1980)
92. Kate Bush - Hounds of Love (1985)
93. David Bowie - Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (1980)
94. Meat Puppets - II (1983)
95. Duran Duran - Rio (1982)
96. Rites of Spring - Rites of Spring (1985)
97. Mekons - The Mekons Rock 'N' Roll (1989)
98. Cocteau Twins - Treasure (1984)
99. Gang of Four - Songs of the Free (1982)
100. Minor Threat - Out of Step (1984)