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.


Tim Latham
The Smiths – Strangeways Here We Come (1987)
The Jam – Sound Affects (1980)
Specials – More (1980)
The Cure – Disintegration (1989)
Erasure – The Innocents (1988)
English Beat – I Just Can't Stop It (1980)
Minor Threat – Out of Step (1983)
Dexy's Midnight Runners – Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980)
Joy Division – Closer (1980)
Morrissey – Viva Hate (1988)

                          


Javier Johnston Marquez
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980)
Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska (1982)
The Gun Club – Fire Of Love (1981)
The Clash – Combat Rock (1982)
The Pogues – Rum, Sodomy & The Lash (1985)
D.A.F. – Gold Und Liebe (1981)
Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes (1982)
Tones On Tail – Pop (1984)
Tom Tom Club – Tom Tom Club (1981)
The Vapor – Nu-Clear Days (1980)

                             


Rik Sanchez
The Clash – Sandinista (1980)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Kicking Against The Pricks (1986)
The Cramps – Songs The Lord Taught Us (1980)
The Rolling Stones – Tattoo You (1981)
Los Lobos – How Will The Wolf Survive? (1984)
Sonic Youth – Evol (1986)
The Plimsouls – Everywhere At Once (1983)
Husker Du – New Day Rising (1985)
Bauhaus – Burning From The Inside (1983)

                           


Nancy "Little Vee" Scibilia
Blondie – Auto American (1980)
Concrete Blonde – Free(1987)
The Cure –  Head On The Door (1985)
Dead Or Alive – Youthquake (1985)
Culture Club – Kissing To Be Clever (1982)
Culture Club – Colour By Numbers (1983)
Madonna – Madonna (1983)
Madonna – Like A Virgin (1984)
Cyndi Lauper – She's So Unusual (1984)
Billy Joel – Glass Houses (1980)

                             


Mark Beaver
Talking Heads – Remain In Light (1980)
Elvis Costello – Trust (1983)
David Bowie – Scary Monsters (1980)
Kate Bush – The Dreaming (1982)
X – Wild Gift (1981)
Roxy Music – Avalon (1982)
Sonic Youth – Bad Moon Rising (1985)
Echo And The Bunnymen – Heaven Up Here (1981)
The Psychedelic Furs – Talk Talk Talk (1981)
The Fall – This Nation’s Saving Grace (1985)

                             


Grace Hirose
Fad Gadget – Fireside Favorites (1980)
The Smiths – Strangeways Here We Come (1987)
The Del-Byzanteens – Lies To Live By (1982)
Depeche Mode – Black Celebration (1986)
Grauzone – Grauzone (1981)
Trisome 21 – Passions Divisees (1984)
Richard Hell – Destiny Street (1982)
ESG – Come Away With ESG (1983)
Adam Ant – Friend Or Foe (1982)
Tones On Tail – Pop (1984)
 
                            


Andrew Flores
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Kaleidoscope (1980)
Rudimentry Peni – Death Church (1983)
Soft Cell – Non Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981)
The Cure – Pornography (1982)
Crass – Penis Envy (1981)
Adolescents – Adolescents (1981)
Christian Death – Only Theatre of Pain (1982)
D.A.F. – Alles Ist Gut (1981)
Cro Mags – The Age of Quarrel (1986)
Skinny Puppy – Remission (1984)

                             


Greg Griffith
XTC – Black Sea (1981)
Prefab Sprout – Swoon (1984)
Japan – Tin Drum (1982)
Family Fodder – Monkey Banana Kitchen (1981)
The Blue Nile – Walk Across The Rooftops (1984)
Cristina – Doll In the Box (1980)
Adam & The Ants – Kings of The Wild Frontier (1980)
The Associates – The Affectionate Punch (1980)
Lol Coxhill – Morgan Fischer / Slow Magic (1980)
Talking Heads – Remain In Light (1980)

                            


Fernando G. Zavala Jr. aka Furn
Modern English – Mesh & Lace (1981)
Klaus Nomi – Klaus Nomi (1981)
Cocteau Twins – Garlands (1982)
Negative Approach – Tied Down (1983)
New Order – Power, Corruption and Lies (1983)
7 Seconds – The Crew (1984)
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Darklands (1987)
Embrace – Embrace (1987)
Stone Roses – Stone Roses (1989)
Galaxie 500 – On Fire (1989)

                            


Chad Hemus
Chris and Cosey – Heartbeat (1981)
Judy Nylon – Pal Judy (1982)
Lydia Lunch – Queen Of Siam (1980)
Diamanda Galas – You Must Be Certain Of The Devil (1988)
Kid Creole & The Coconuts – Tropical Gangsters (1982)
Madonna – Madonna (1983)
Siouxsie & The Banshees – A Kiss In The Dream House (1982)
Ike Yard – A Fact A Second (1982)
Soft Cell – Non Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981)
X – Under The Big Black Sun (1982)

                            


Next up is Part 10 of the '80s list project. We'll be posting new lists every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. See Part 8.