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.


Kara Lane
The Smiths – The Smiths (1984)
Echo & The Bunnymen – Porcupine (1983)
The English Beat – I Just Can’t Stop It (1980)
Specials – Specials (1980)
Love & Rockets – Express (1986)
Pixies – Come On Pilgrim (1987)
Cocteau Twins – Blue Bell Knoll (1988)
The Cure – Boys Don’t Cry (1980)
XTC – Skylarking (1986)
X – Los Angeles (1980)

                           


Shane Talada
Christian Death – Only Theatre Of Pain (1982)
Lords Of The New Church – The Lords Of The New Church (1982)
And Also The Trees – Virus Meadow (1986)
Killing Joke – Night Time (1985)
The Jesus And Mary Chain – Psychocandy (1985)
Bauhaus – In The Flat Field (1980)
Dead Can Dance – Dead Can Dance (1984)
The Birthday Party – The Birthday Party (1980)
The Sisters Of Mercy – First & Last & Always (1985)

                          


Andrew Spear
Sonic Youth – Bad Moon Rising (1985)
Big Black – Atomizer (1986)
Husker Du – Zen Arcade (1984)
Black Flag – My War (1984)
Dinosaur Jr. – You’re Living All Over Me (1987)
Butthole Surfers – Locust Abortion Technician (1987)
Minutemen – Double Nickles On The Dime (1984)
Meat Puppets – Meat Puppets II (1983)
The Gun Club – Miami (1982)
The Clash – Sandinista (1980)

                            


Scott Carlson
Iron Maiden – Number of the Beast (1982)
Bad Brains – Bad Brains (1982)
Swans – Children of God (1987)
Pentagram – Relentless (1985)
Captain Beefheart – Doc at the Radar Station (1986)
Celtic Frost – Morbid Tales (1984)
Melvins – Gluey Porch Treatments (1986)
Pussy Galore - Right Now! (1987)
Psychic TV – Force the Hand of Chance (1982)
Bad Religion – No Control (1989)

                          


Melissa Logan
The Cramps – A Date With Elvis (1986)
The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms (1980)
Nirvana – Bleach (1989)
The Smiths – Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
Joy Division – Closer (1980)
Roky Erickson & The Aliens – The Evil One (1981)
The Cure – Faith (1981)
Spacemen 3 – The Perfect Prescription (1987)
The Birthday Party – Prayers On Fire (1981)
Depeche Mode – Music For The Masses (1987)

                             


Woody
Journey – Departure (1980)
Madonna – Madonna (1983)
Pretenders –  Pretenders (1980)
The B-52’s – Wild Planet (1980)
Pat Benatar – Crimes Of Passion (1980)
Cocteau Twins – Treasure (1984)
Stevie Nicks – Bella Donna (1981)
Judas Priest – British Steel (1980)
Duran Duran – Rio (1982)
A Flock Of Seagulls – A Flock Of Seagulls (1982)

                             


Sam Rodriguez
AC/DC – Back In Black (1980)
Guns N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction (1987)
Metallica – Ride The Lightning (1984)
Slayer – Reign In Blood (1986)
Iron Maiden – Killers (1981)
Riot – Fire Down Under (1981)
Rush – Moving Pictures (1980)
Motley Crue – Shout At The Devil (1983)
Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking (1988)
Black Sabbath – Heaven & Hell (1980)

                           


Travis King
Leonard Cohen – I’m Your Man (1988)
Pixies – Doolittle (1989)
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (1988)
The Cure – The Head On The Door (1985)
Talking Heads – Speaking In Tongues (1983)
Echo & The Bunnymen – Ocean Rain (1984)
Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)
Joy Division – Closer (1980)
The Jesus And Mary Chain – Psychocandy (1985)
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Kaleidoscope (1980)

                           


Lucy Patino
Depeche Mode – Some Great Reward (1984)
The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead (1986)
New Order – Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)
Psychic TV – Dreams Less Sweet (1983)
Sparks – Angst In My Pants (1982)
Cocteau Twins – Garlands (1982)
The Chills – Brave World (1987)
The Cure – Disintegration (1989)
The Raincoats – Odyshape (1981)
The Go-Betweens – Before Hollywood (1982)

                           

Rick Frystak
David Sylvian – Brilliant Trees (1984)
Kraftwerk – Computer World (1981)
Yellow Magic Orchestra – Naughty Boys (1983)
Cabaret Voltaire – Voice Of America (1980)
Frank Zappa – Jazz From Hell (1986)
Art Of Noise – Into Battle (1983)
Maurizio Bianchi – Regel (1982)
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Ongakuzukan (1984)
Material – Seven Souls (1989)
Missing Persons – Rhyme & Reason (1984)

                           


Next up is Part 8 of the '80s list project. We'll be posting new lists every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See Part 6.