One day at Amoeba Hollywood I proclaimed that Aztec Camera's 1983 release High Land, Hard Rain was one of the best records of the '80s. This single statement eventually led to over 200 Amoebites ranking their top 10 favorite albums from the ‘80s.

From the beginning we realized that it was impossible for most of us to condense our favorites from all genres into a tiny top ten list. So, we limited our lists to Rock/Pop and its sub-genres like punk, metal, goth, and new wave. Even so, it was a difficult selection process because not only are there hundreds of amazing records to consider, there is also the added dynamic of time.

The '80s were a long time ago and the music has had many years to gestate. We have a deep sense of nostalgia and sentiment with these albums as our fondest memories are associated with them. These are albums we LOVE.

- Henry Polk

P.S. We'll be posting new additions to the '80s list project from Amoeba staff members on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. See all entries in our '80s list series.

P.P.S. The '80s List Book is available for sale at Amoeba Hollywood.


Melody Hirose
Klaus Nomi – Klaus Nomi (1981)
Adam Ant – Friend Or Foe (1982)
Grauzone – Grauzone (1981)
Depeche Mode – Black Celebration (1986)
The Clash – Combat Rock (1982)
Judy Nylon – Pal Judy (1982)
Psychic TV – Pagan Day (1984)
Tones On Tail – Pop (1984)
Fad Gadget – Fireside Favourites (1980)
ESG – Come Away With ESG (1983)

                            


Aaron Detroit
Christian Death – Only Theater Of Pain (1982)
Bauhaus – In The Flat Field (1980)
Coil – Horse Rotovator (1986)
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Ju Ju (1981)
Sonic Youth – Sister (1987)
Psychic TV – Dreams Less Sweet (1983)
Kate Bush – The Dreaming (1982)
Joy Division – Closer (1980)
David Bowie – Scary Monsters (1980)
The Cure – Pornography (1982)

                             


Lisa Loomis
The English Beat – Special Beat Service (1982)
Go-Go’s – Beauty & The Beat (1981)
Stevie Nicks – Bella Donna (1981)
Husker Du – Zen Arcade (1984)
The Replacements – Tim (1985)
R.E.M. – Murmur (1983)
Duran Duran – Rio (1982)
Pat Benatar – Crimes Of Passion (1980)
Roxy Music – Avalon (1982)
Echo & The Bunnymen –  Porcupine(1983)

                            


Chris Hathwell
The Jesus And Mary Chain – Psychocandy (1985)
Sonic Youth – Evol (1986)
The Clash – London Calling (1980)
Christian Death – Only Theatre Of Pain (1982)
The Heats – The Heats (1980)
Bauhaus – In The Flat Field (1980)
This Heat – Deceit (1981)
Gary Numan – Telekon (1980)
Echo & The Bunnymen – Ocean Rain (1984)
Black Flag – Damaged (1981)

                            


Amy Pennington
Avengers – Avengers (1983)
Bauhaus – Mask (1981)
The Cramps – Songs The Lord Taught Us (1980)
The Hangmen – The Hangmen (1989)
Joan Jett – Bad Reputation (1981)
Ramones – Pleasant Dreams (1981)
The Sisters of Mercy – First & Last & Always (1985)
Social Distortion – Mommy’s Little Monster (1983)
Stiv Bators – Disconnected (1980)

                           


Brad Schelden
Cocteau Twins – Head Over Heels (1983)
The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
New Order – Low Life (1985)
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Kaleidoscope (1980)
Dead Can Dance – Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun (1987)
The Cure – Disintegration (1989)
Depeche Mode – Music For The Masses (1987)
Clan Of Xymox – Clan Of Xymox (1985)
The Pixies – Doolittle (1989)
Duran Duran – Rio (1982)

                             


Jose Cota
D.A.F. – Gold Und Liebe (1981)
Cabaret Voltaire – Voice Of America (1980)
Sonic Youth – Evol (1986)
Bad Brains – Bad Brains (1982)
The Gun Club – Miami (1982)
Slayer – Reign In Blood (1986)
Kraftwerk – Computer World (1981)
My Bloody Valentine – Isn’t Anything (1988)
Adolescents – Adolescents (1981)
The Cramps – Psychedelic Jungle (1981)

                            


Courtney Frystak
Motorhead – Ace Of Spades (1980)
Thin Lizzy – Chinatown (1980)
Dio – Holy Diver (1983)
Diamond Head – Borrowed Time (1982)
Aerosmith – Rock In A Hard Place (1982)
Judas Priest – British Steel (1980)
Mercyful Fate – Melissa (1983)
Black Sabbath – Mob Rules (1981)
Venom – Black Metal (1982)
Queen – The Game (1980)

                            


Cliff Dealist
The Gun Club – Fire Of Love (1981)
Johnny Thunders – Hurt Me (1984)
Rolling Stones – Tattoo You (1981)
Christian Death – Catastrophe Ballet (1984)
The Salvation Army – The Salvation Army (1980)
Redd Kross – Born Innocent (1981)
Pretenders –  Pretenders (1980)
Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction (1987)
The Ramones – End Of The Century (1980)
The Jacobites – The Jacobites (1984)
 
                           


Anel Barrera
Ministry – With Sympathy (1983)
Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
Depeche Mode – Speak & Spell (1980)
The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry (1980)
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Ju Ju (1981)
The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Motley Crue – Too Fast For Love (1981)
Go-Go’s – Beauty & The Beat (1981)
Cyndi Lauper – She’s So Unusual (1983)
Madonna – Madonna (1983)

                            


Next up is Part 7 of the '80s list project. We'll be posting new lists every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See Part 5.