Best albums of the 1980s

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

1. 51
   The Pros And Cons Of Hitch HikingRoger Waters

   1984Rock
   Chart score8.02avg 8.0 · 1 score
2. 52
   This Nation's Saving GraceThe Fall

   1985Alternative
   Chart score8.02avg 8.0 · 1 score
3. 53
   Youth of AmericaWipers

   1981Alternative
   Chart score8.02avg 8.0 · 1 score
4. 54
   So Far, So Good...So What! (Expanded Edition - Remastered)Megadeth

   1988Metal
   Chart score8.00avg 7.9 · 1 score
5. 55
   Whitesnake (2018 Remaster)Whitesnake

   1987Rock
   Chart score7.95avg 7.7 · 1 score
6. 56
   Diver Down (Remastered)Van Halen

   1982Rock
   Chart score7.92avg 7.6 · 1 score
7. 57
   Women and Children First (Remastered)Van Halen

   1980Rock
   Chart score7.92avg 7.6 · 1 score
8. 58
   Seventh Son of a Seventh Son (Remastered 2015)Iron Maiden

   1988Metal
   Chart score7.86avg 7.6 · 2 scores
9. 59
   Moving Pictures (2011 Remaster)Rush

   1981Rock
   Chart score7.84avg 7.6 · 2 scores
10. 60
    Appetite For DestructionGuns N' Roses

    1987Rock
    Chart score7.82avg 7.2 · 1 score
11. 61
    5150Van Halen

    1986Rock
    Chart score7.80avg 7.1 · 1 score
12. 62
    Dr. FeelgoodMötley Crüe

    1989Rock
    Chart score7.80avg 7.1 · 1 score
13. 63
    Licensed To IllBeastie Boys

    1986Hip-Hop
    Chart score7.80avg 7.1 · 1 score
14. 64
    Nothing's ShockingJane's Addiction

    1988Alternative
    Chart score7.80avg 7.1 · 1 score
15. 65
    Disraeli GearsCream

    1989Pop
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
16. 66
    Fair Warning (Remastered)Van Halen

    1981Rock
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
17. 67
    FreedomNeil Young

    1989Pop
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
18. 68
    Gyrate (Remastered)Pylon

    1980Alternative
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
19. 69
    Let's Dance (2018 Remaster)David Bowie

    1983Rock
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
20. 70
    Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!Devo

    1988Alternative
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
21. 71
    WingerWinger

    1988Metal
    Chart score7.77avg 7.0 · 1 score
22. 72
    Among The LivingAnthrax

    1987Rock
    Chart score7.72avg 6.8 · 1 score
23. 73
    Reign In Blood (Expanded)Slayer

    1986Rock
    Chart score7.55avg 6.1 · 1 score
24. 74
    A Bell Is a Cup Until It Is StruckWire

    1988Alternative
    Chart score7.52avg 6.0 · 1 score
25. 75
    Coda (Remaster)Led Zeppelin

    1982Rock
    Chart score7.52avg 6.0 · 1 score
26. 76
    Remain in LightTalking Heads

    1980Pop
    Chart score7.52avg 6.0 · 1 score
27. 77
    Seventeen SecondsThe Cure

    1980Alternative
    Chart score7.52avg 6.0 · 1 score
28. 78
    The Frenz ExperimentThe Fall

    1988Alternative
    Chart score7.52avg 6.0 · 1 score
29. 79
    SlipknotSlipknot

    1989Metal
    Chart score7.50avg 5.9 · 1 score
30. 80
    Bleach (Deluxe Edition)Nirvana

    1989Alternative
    Chart score7.24avg 6.1 · 2 scores
31. 81
    Paid In FullEric B. & Rakim

    1987Hip-Hop
    Chart score6.47avg 1.8 · 1 score
32. 82
    A Momentary Lapse of ReasonPink Floyd

    1987Rock
    Chart score6.06avg 4.6 · 4 scores
33. 83
    The Final CutPink Floyd

    1983Rock
    Chart score5.64avg 3.9 · 4 scores