Best Rock albums of the 1980s

34 records · chart score = each record's average, pulled toward the site average (8.0) until it has more than a few scores

1. 1
   ReckoningR.E.M.

   1984Rock
   Chart score8.52avg 10.0 · 1 score
2. 2
   TimThe Replacements

   1985Rock
   Chart score8.52avg 10.0 · 1 score
3. 3
   1984 (Remastered)Van Halen

   1984Rock
   Chart score8.40avg 9.5 · 1 score
4. 4
   Skid Row (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)Skid Row

   1989Rock
   Chart score8.37avg 9.4 · 1 score
5. 5
   Pleased to Meet MeThe Replacements

   1987Rock
   Chart score8.36avg 8.9 · 2 scores
6. 6
   Blizzard Of Ozz (40th Anniversary Expanded Edition)Ozzy Osbourne

   1980Rock
   Chart score8.30avg 9.1 · 1 score
7. 7
   Pretty Hate MachineNine Inch Nails

   1989Rock
   Chart score8.30avg 9.1 · 1 score
8. 8
   PyromaniaDef Leppard

   1983Rock
   Chart score8.30avg 9.1 · 1 score
9. 9
   Epic Garden MusicSad Lovers & Giants

   1981Rock
   Chart score8.27avg 9.0 · 1 score
10. 10
    Louder Than LoveSoundgarden

    1989Rock
    Chart score8.27avg 9.0 · 1 score
11. 11
    MurmurR.E.M.

    1983Rock
    Chart score8.27avg 9.0 · 1 score
12. 12
    Ride The Lightning (Deluxe Remaster)Metallica

    1984Rock
    Chart score8.20avg 8.7 · 1 score
13. 13
    British SteelJudas Priest

    1980Rock
    Chart score8.16avg 8.4 · 2 scores
14. 14
    Kill 'Em All (Deluxe Remaster)Metallica

    1983Rock
    Chart score8.12avg 8.4 · 1 score
15. 15
    Ace of SpadesMotörhead

    1980Rock
    Chart score8.07avg 8.2 · 1 score
16. 16
    ...And Justice for All (Remastered Deluxe Box Set)Metallica

    1988Rock
    Chart score8.05avg 8.1 · 1 score
17. 17
    Give the People What They WantThe Kinks

    1981Rock
    Chart score8.02avg 8.0 · 1 score
18. 18
    Room to LiveThe Fall

    1986Rock
    Chart score8.02avg 8.0 · 1 score
19. 19
    Shout At The DevilMötley Crüe

    1983Rock
    Chart score8.02avg 8.0 · 1 score
20. 20
    The Pros And Cons Of Hitch HikingRoger Waters

    1984Rock
    Chart score8.02avg 8.0 · 1 score
21. 21
    Whitesnake (2018 Remaster)Whitesnake

    1987Rock
    Chart score7.95avg 7.7 · 1 score
22. 22
    Diver Down (Remastered)Van Halen

    1982Rock
    Chart score7.92avg 7.6 · 1 score
23. 23
    Women and Children First (Remastered)Van Halen

    1980Rock
    Chart score7.92avg 7.6 · 1 score
24. 24
    Moving Pictures (2011 Remaster)Rush

    1981Rock
    Chart score7.84avg 7.6 · 2 scores
25. 25
    Appetite For DestructionGuns N' Roses

    1987Rock
    Chart score7.82avg 7.2 · 1 score
26. 26
    5150Van Halen

    1986Rock
    Chart score7.80avg 7.1 · 1 score
27. 27
    Dr. FeelgoodMötley Crüe

    1989Rock
    Chart score7.80avg 7.1 · 1 score
28. 28
    Fair Warning (Remastered)Van Halen

    1981Rock
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
29. 29
    Let's Dance (2018 Remaster)David Bowie

    1983Rock
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
30. 30
    Among The LivingAnthrax

    1987Rock
    Chart score7.72avg 6.8 · 1 score
31. 31
    Reign In Blood (Expanded)Slayer

    1986Rock
    Chart score7.55avg 6.1 · 1 score
32. 32
    Coda (Remaster)Led Zeppelin

    1982Rock
    Chart score7.52avg 6.0 · 1 score
33. 33
    A Momentary Lapse of ReasonPink Floyd

    1987Rock
    Chart score6.06avg 4.6 · 4 scores
34. 34
    The Final CutPink Floyd

    1983Rock
    Chart score5.64avg 3.9 · 4 scores