These Albums Are 10s (1980s) 

Once you learn James Hetfield’s mom was an opera singer and his dad was a semi-truck driver the world begins to make sense

Hooray I’m allowed to listen to 80s music!

The Queen Is Dead, Doolittle and the Stone Roses self titled debut are my holy trinity of 80s albums

Purple Rain is definitely one of the best albums of all time! The amount of time I have re-played that album is astonishing

Some “These aren’t quite 10s” videos would probably be nice to hear your thoughts on awesome albums throughout history & what made then not QUITE reach that 10/10 status in your opinion

I’m excited to see the 40s list or even top ten of the 1800s

My list would include The Cure's Disintegration, which I consider to be their best album.

Remain in Light is literally one of the best albums of all time.

I'd say that The Cure - Desintegration is one of the most undeniable albums of 80s

Agree with literally everything said about Master Of Puppets, yeah it may be a little overplayed at this point, but it is that for a reason, certainly one of the best Metal/Rock albums of all time

'The Queen is Dead' - The Smiths 'Doolittle' - Pixies 'Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)' - David Bowie 'The Stones Roses' - The Stone Roses 'Closer' - Joy Division' 'Disintegration' - The Cure

Really appreciate these videos, melon. Love discovering and listening to new music. Have found some great ones from you thank ya

80s prince is arguably one of the greatest runs of any modern artist in history. He absolutely killed at every stage, sign o the times and purple rain are phenomenal, around the world in a day is brilliant, its just tons and ton of great music.

I didn’t even know the 80s had music until I found this video.

I remember you mentioning Paul’s Boutique as an example of a 10 during your interview with black midi.. is there any reason that it didn’t make this cut considering it was released during the 80s? I’d love to know melon

I’d have to put Sade’s “Diamond Life” in there. Her style and voice was just so unique to her and her band and the production is absolutely great

I took a screenshot of Kate Bush’s monthly listeners on Spotify after I watched that Stranger Things episode cause I wanted to see how hard she was gonna blow up with the youth and I did NOT expect it be 30 million+ lmao. While a lot of losers like to be sour over this, I, for one, am happy our lord and savior Kate Bush got her bag.

He told Black Midi that Paul's Boutique is a 10/10 but its missing here

it's absolutely crazy how good Nation of Millions still sounds. unreal aesthetic, concept, sampling, editing, chaos/noise, lyrics and beats.

Master of Puppets is timeless. I don’t listen to Metal anymore but if someone put any of those songs on I would not complain. Perfect melodies, fantastic vocals, very tight production, Cliff’s last album. Just badass.

It may only have been released at the tail end of the 1980s but The Cure's disintegration was one of the greatest albums of the eighties hands down no question.

When I was little, about 8 or 9. I had a master of puppets toy set. Had all the members and a stage with crosses. It was killer tbh and I did love and appreciate it at the time.

Sports and Fore by Huey Lewis and the News Their early work was a little too 'new-wave' for my taste, but when 'Sports' came out in '83, I think they really came into their own - both commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor. In '87, Huey released this, 'Fore', their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is 'Hip to Be Square', a song so catchy most people probably don't listen to the lyrics - but they should! Because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself!

Planet Kate! I knew it 💜 I just decided the other day that Hounds of Love is my personal favorite album of all time. Been listening to it since 1989 but found out the meaning of the second half a couple years after I've already been listening to it. It was the most awesome Revelation in music I've ever felt. Ba BOOOOM! And I always cry at the end. I listen to much more new music even at my age, and the rest of my list might be 21st century heavy. But nothing has quite matched the uniqueness of planet Kate. Glad you feel the same way!🥶😃

Agree with all of your suggestions. Other’s I have as 10’s…… The Smiths - Meat Is Murder/Queen Is Dead/Strangeways Here We Come. DeLaSoul - 3ft High & Rising Soul II Soul - Club Classics Vol 1 New Order - Technique The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses Joy Division - Closer George Michael - Faith Michael Jackson - Thriller/Bad Prince - Sign O’The Times

kate bush's 80s output was incredible. never for ever -> the dreaming -> hounds of love -> the sensual world, what an amazing run of albums

I knew Purple Rain’s biggest hit and today I went back to listen the whole album again. I Would Die 4 U… what a fucking banger. I don’t know how the hell I never appreciated that track. Now I am listening to it on repeat.

HELL YEAH for Remain In Light. I was literally listening to Side 2 of that album on the way to work today. Such a phenomenal piece of music.

I’m excited to see the 70s list, where people will constantly say Dark Side of the Moon in the comments section while it’s absent from the video. It’s still not overrated, by the way.

I agree with the entire list but would also put in there 1. Michael Jackson - Thriller 2. Joy Division - Closer 3. Paul Simon - Graceland 4. Pixies - Dolittle.

i think that purple rain is the perfect album. if i made a best albums list, there would be 10 empty spots below purple rain at number 1. its that good. the pinnacle of what an album should be

10/10 in the 1980's for me Prince - Purple Rain Michael Jackson - Thriller Kate Bush - Hounds of Love Sade - Promise De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

Gotta say… I love the “These Albums are 10s” videos! More please!!

Cool to see you mentioned Prince and Purple Rain! When I first heard it from start to finish after listening to just the singles for so long, it honestly enhanced the love I already had for the singles. Public Enemy & Kate Bush, while I'm aware of their hits, I haven't listened to their albums fully, & I'll gladly take a chance on them.

I would definitely add Songs for the Big Chair by Tears for Fears. Perfect album with some of the best singles of all time

Ik the stone roses aren’t as acclaimed here in the states, and their self titled almost even feels like a 90s album, but that album IMO is one of the most impressive records ever made.

Just got around to listening to Hounds of Love recently and god does it still hold up today, and I love how SPELLLING is carrying on that legacy and evolving the sound so beautifully. Under Ice especially sounds like it could fit perfectly on The Turning Wheel

Prince Purple Rain and Sign o the Times are the greatest records of the 80s imo Master of Puppets imo is the greatest metal record of all time. Certainly a quintessential thrash record

my 80s 10/10s are: Power, Corruption and Lies (1983) - New Order Daydream Nation (1988) - Sonic Youth Pateando Piedras (1986) - Los Prisioneros The Queen Is Dead (1986) - The Smiths Doolittle (1989) - Pixies Surfer Rosa (1988) - Pixies Hounds of Love (1985) - Kate Bush Purple Rain (1984) - Prince Remain In Light (1980) - Talking Heads Different Trains/Electric Counterpoint (1989) - Steve Reich

I love your 10s album series, great job melon head!

Nice to see a mention of Prince's influence in work of Trent Reznor, which is for me much greater and more visible than Bowie's influence despite of their stronger relation.

The Joshua Tree by U2 is also another masterpiece

Time - Electric Light Orchestra Screaming for Vengeance - Judas Priest Songs from the Big Chair - Tears For Fears Brothers in Arms - Dire Straits These 80s albums would all be 10/10 for me so many bangers between them and very re-listenable.

Michael Jackson - Thriller Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation Skinny Puppy - Rabies Ministry - The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste Talking Heads - Remain in Light

Of course, Kate Bush man. What an amazing album

I'm surprised The Queen is Dead didn't make this list but otherwise Its cool as hell to see you going back to all of these projects

The Stone Roses’ debut album is perfect front to back. Incredible choruses, beautiful fusion of rock, groove, jangle pop, funk, progressive, and art pop. John Squire’s guitar work is unique and hypnotic, Mani’s bass playing sounds less like rock bass and really stands out on each track, and Reni’s drumming is immaculate, forward thinking and also inspired by Afro beat. All around masterpiece.

My 10/10s of the 80s... 1. Appetite for Destruction (1987) (Guns ‘N Roses) 2. Back in Black (1980) (AC/DC) 3. The Number of the Beast (1982) (Iron Maiden) 4. Thriller (1982) (Michael Jackson) 5. Ride the Lightning (1984) (Metallica) 6. The Queen is Dead (1986) (The Smiths)

Albums from the 80's I consider 10's that Anthony didn't mention: - Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation - Pixies - Surfer Rosa and Doolittle - The Cure - Disintegration - My Bloody Valentine - Isn't Anything - Kate Bush - The Dreaming - Dinosaur Jr - You're Living All Over Me - The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy - This Heat - Deceit Obviously a little biased towards the latter half of the decade, but this is literally just my opinion lol

I honestly don’t really listen to much 80s music, but a few of my favorites from that decade that weren’t mentioned... David Bowie - Scary Monsters Metallica - Ride the Lightning Oingo Boingo - Dead Man’s Party U2 - The Joshua Tree The Cure - Disintegration Descendents - Milo Goes to College Slayer - Reign in Blood Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine Motley Crue - Too Fast for Love

The Joshua Tree - U2, im not a big U2 fan but jesus that album is immense, the first 3 songs are some of the best of all time undoubtedly. Also cannot forget the likes of Thriller, Closer, The Queen is Dead as 10s

10/10s from the 80s for me include: Hounds of Love ( I agree with everything you said) Graceland - Paul Simon - Just gorgeous in every way, from the lyrics to the Afro beats and grooves, to the vocals, along with sounding unique in a time when "world music" was becoming popular and most of it sounded very generic, whereas Graceland is so catchy and fun. It is also, IMO, Simon's best work. Songs From The Big Chair - Tears For Fears - Moody synth-pop, what's not to love? Disintegration - The Cure - What else needs to be said about this masterpiece? It is better than sex.

80's 10s for me: -The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead -Prince - Sign O The Times -Pixies - Doolittle -NWA - Straight Outta Compton -The Clash - London Calling (do we call it an 80's or a 70's album though?) -Tom Waits - Rain Dogs -AC/DC - Back In Black -The Cure - Disintegration -Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man -Paul McCartney - McCartney II -Joy Division - Closer Honorable mentions: -Paul Simon - Graceland (had it only shaved off the final three songs) -Prince - Purple Rain -Prince - Dirty Mind -Michael Jackson - Thriller -Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation… -Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation -The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy -The Clash - Sandinista! -Bruce Springsteen - Born In The USA -The Smiths - The Smiths

I miss The Cure - Disintegration and Slayer - Reign in Blood. Especially Reign in Blood should be on this list. It has the best opening track of any Metal record from the eighties and is just 28:55 minutes of pure energy all wrapped in excellent production by Rick Rubin. Plus Dave Lombardo can actually drum 😁.

I'm sure I'm gonna get shit for this, but The Nylon Curtain by Billy Joel is an early 80s time capsule. It captures the Cold War nervousness we all felt, the helplessness we fellt while we watched the middle class fade away, the aftermath of Vietnam war, the pressure cooker of early 80s life and work. The lesser known tracks are the best ones: Laura, Surprises, She's Right On Time, Scandinavian Skies, and that stunning closer of Where's The Orchestra. Billy Joel and Phil Ramone played the studio like an instrument, but it never gets muddy or gross. In these songs and arrangements you can hear the nods to The Beatles without it being a parody. And Billy sings in 10 different voices on this record, choosing just the right subtle vocal shifts to be the perfect narrator for these songs. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. :-)

Here's some more 80s albums I believe to be either near perfect or 10/10: . DEVO - "Freedom Of Choice (1980) . Godflesh - "Streetcleaner" (1989) . Joy Division - "Closer" (1980) . Coil - "Horse Rotorvator" (1986) . Swans - "Children Of God" (1987) . Big Black - "Atomizer" (1986) . King Crimson - "Discipline" (1981) . Violent Femmes - "Violent Femmes" (1984?) . Dead Kennedys - "Plastic Surgery Disasters" (1981 or 1982)

Fantastic list. I would add a few, but Surfer Rosa from the Pixies would be at the top of my list. Bone Machine is catchy ass opening track to scream along to. Cactus is weird and creepy in the best way possible. And Where is my Mind is their most popular song for a reason; it just never gets old to listen to. Absolutely perfect album from a band with many great albums.

I always preferred Ride the Lightning over Master of Puppets, but yeah, Lars is killer on Master of Puppets.

Good picks. I like how you purposefully left off three of the best to encourage people to comment. Smart move to leave off Disintegration, Daydream Nation, and Graceland.

Glad to see Public Enemy get the 10. That was my first hip-hop album and a life changing record. Long live PE.

I'll never forget a show that Prince almost played Purple Rain. It was rained out and only maybe 500 showed up because most thought it was cancelled in a large amphitheater in Dallas. Black Eyed Peas opened with Erykah Badu filling in because they were between vocalists. Then instead of Gang Starr playing by themselves the Roots came out with them along with Erykah and gave us a two hour jam session. At one point Prince stuck his head out and gave us a big smile and everyone tried to get him to come out. We all wanted Purple Rain. Quest Love kept giving him a head nod to come but never did. Still one of the most epic shows ever.

For me, I would also throw these on that list: Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985) Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruits for Rotting Vegetables (1980)

My 10s from the 1980's: Joy Division - Closer The Smiths - Meat Is Murder The Durutti Column - LC A ton of honourable mentions such as The Stone Roses, The Queen Is Dead, Ride The Lightning, Master Of Puppets, Daydream Nation, The Joshua Tree, Doolittle, You're Living All Over Me, Disintegration, etc.

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Disintegration, but great list otherwise. I love Hounds of Love and am so glad Kate Bush is having a moment so more people can discover her incredible music!

Janet Jackson- Rhythm Nation 1814's pioneering achievements remain overlooked. The transitions, the sampling, the foreshadowing, the 2nd half rivaling the first half, the vocal performance, the message, the impact it had. I could go on and on! It was a perfect cap to the wild '80s and carried over to the 90s triumphantly. It totally changed the way we listen to albums with its seamless sonic energy.

Other 10's that he didn't mention, IMO - Paul's Boutique - Disintegration - Ace of Spades - Doolittle - Daydream Nation - Let It Be (Replacements) - Reign in Blood - Power, Corruption, and Lies - Stone Roses - The Queen is Dead

I’m surprised thriller or just any Michael Jackson wasnt on this list Edit:oh

Lars took drum lessons I think right after recording RTL so 1984-85, around that time. I think it really shows on Master of Puppets, especially on Disposable Heroes. If you listen to that drum track isolated it is just insane in how tight and precise the drumming is. Props to Lars on that album

No Thriller?! C'mon! I would also add Joshua Tree - U2 Closer - Joy Division Strangeways/The Queen is Dead - The Smiths Control - Janet Jackson Texas Food - Stevie Ray Vaughan

So hyped about the public enemy pick!! I just got around to listening to them and absolutely love the their music and was wondering if you thought their debut was a ten

Three of my fave albums listed here. Good take today, Tony

Looooove this new thing you're doing it brought me back to u as a creator

Cal Chuchesta's Top 5 80s albums (transcribed from a Denny's napkin): 1) Tiffany - Tiffany 2) REO Speedwagon - Wheels Are Turnin' 3) Air Supply - Lost in Love 4) Was (Not Was) - What Up, Dog? 5) Starship - Knee Deep in the Hoopla

The Cure - Disintegration This was my first Cure album. I loved it from the start. Obsessed over it. And eventually tried other Cure albums but nothing ever scratched the itch for more Disintegration. I think I started at the top and it was all disappointment from there, they way I'd set myself up. Other people have the Best Of and "like the Cure". But little do they know...

Love the series - would love for some more from the same decades!

in last month the amount of music I've been allowed to listen to is immense. Thank you fantano and please tell me more 10s so I can hear more music.

Appetite For Destruction, Disintegration, War(U2), Louder Than Bombs ( I count it as an album but technically a compilation), Bleach, Daydream Nation, Surfer Rosa. All successful, all arguably influential to this day, and in my opinion all still hold up very well.

Definitely agree with Puppets, RIL and Purple Rain, definitely some of the best rock albums of the 80s

Kate Bush & Prince did amazing work in the 80’s - they produced themselves and understood the balance between cultivating their own artistry and making accessible music.

Been waiting for this one 🔥🔥🔥

Michael's Thriller is a classic.

I agree on MoP, some of Metallica's best clean passages too

My 80's 10/10: Clics Modernos - Charly García Ciudad de Pobres Corazones - Fito Páez Tester de Violencia - Luis Alberto Spinetta

I don't care if it's an obvious choice Purple Rain is one of my favorite albums. It is absolutely a 10/10, excellent choice.

Can you do top 10 albums from the Neolithic Period?

Can't believe he put To Pimp a Butterfly on here 10 times even though it didn't come out in the 80's.

I think one for me would be Ocean Rain by Echo & the Bunnymen. It yielded some incredible blends of post-punk, spiraling neo-psychedelia, catchy hooks and lovely orchestral arrangements. Ian's vocals are passionate and present, and I think it really set itself apart from many of its contemporaries for how dense the production was, but never overbearing or plain noisy. The Cure's Disintegration could also be up there as well. Not my personal favorite Cure record, but it's arguably their overall best.

Yessss I’ve been waiting for this video!!!!

All great albums, Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love is the only 80s album that I personally have as a 10. Other albums that are almost a 10 for me from the 80s: The Cure - Disintegration Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies Michael Jackson - Thriller Dead Kennedys - Plastic Surgery Disasters Kate Bush - The Dreaming Talking Heads - Remain in Light Paul Simon - Graceland

Thank you Anthony, now I added these albums to my “best albums of all time” I love you

I love these! Please do the 70’s and 60’s haha

what's the art pop record that gets honorable mention at 5:01 besides talk talk's colour of spring?

MY 10s FROM THE 80s - Milo Goes to College - Descendents - Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth - Big Lizard in my Backyard - The Dead Milkmen - Doolittle - Pixies - Bad Brains - Bad Brains - Nothing’s Shocking - Jane’s Addiction

I gotta give a shout-out to The Ascension by Glenn Branca , one the best experimental rock records, certainly the most interesting No Wave album that came out in the 80s ,from the guitar tone to the repetitive moments that seem to have had huge influence on Swans to the oddly transcendental feel of the final track, it's a 10 Oh ,i also gotta mention Disintegration by The Cure , easily the best goth album out there, and the psychedelic sound of it which was hugely influential on the dream pop and Shoegaze to come

Wonderful shout on _Remain on Light._ It's not their absolute pinnacle (that would be _Fear of Music_ ) but the percussion and tonal dynamism here are outstanding.

Totally agree with all of them, only felt like this list is missing Thriller or Bad from Michael Jackson. Not only iconic albums but very much influential in all of pop, rock and hip-hop culture. :)

Cant ignore the groundbreaking impact Thriller had on music and culture

Dude is picking some of the most popular albums for each decade, but if you look at his 10’s from the 2010s or 2020s, they’re more so underground with a few exceptions (TPAB especially). Is Fantano looking back at these artists with rose-colored glasses, or will history remember Spellling and Lingua Ignota among the greats like Kate Bush, Prince, etc.?

Nice list. I'd add: *Peter Gabriel - So *The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy *Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique *Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden

My 80's 10/10 suggestions: Billy Joel - The Nylon Curtain Earth, Wind & Fire - Powerlight The Jacksons - Triumph Kool & The Gang - Celebrate! Michael Jackson - Thriller Pekka Pohjola - Jokamies Prince & The Revolution - Parade Stevie Wonder - Hotter Than July Talking Heads - True Stories Wham! - Make It Big