I love lists. Even lists as strange as Pitchfork’s Top 100 Albums of the 1980s. Like everyone else I know, Pitchfork’s aesthetic agenda rubs me the wrong way. But I find that their rewriting of the '70s, '80s and '90s rock canons does offer readers a good context for their otherwise absurd and contrarian opinions and recommendations; better than any of their reviews, that’s for sure. However, I have to add that I’m not convinced there’s much truth, meaning or even entertainment value in some of the choices that create Pitchfork’s critical context, which is a shame. Isn’t that why we're in this business? So I thought I’d be an ass and put together my own alternative Top 40 Albums of the 1980s NOT listed in Pitchfork's list, in which I offer albums that I believe are far more reliable and meaningful choices than many of the ones compiled by Pitchfork.
I tried for 100, then 50, but 40 hit it just about right. Of course, I would include many of the albums in Pitchfork’s list; who wouldn’t? Who doesn’t love Thriller? Or Trust? Daydream Nation? Sign o’ the Times? So, take some of their list, maybe take some of mine, and you’ll get a pretty good take on the 1980s. As noted above, I can’t recommend some of the Pitchfork choices, but I recommend each of my selections below without reservation. And don’t just take my word for it: all of my choices are cribbed from lists by Spin Magazine, Robert Christgau, Pazz & Jop and various other similar critical institutions on the web.
And now, the rules: As with Pitchfork, I only consider classical and jazz albums with some kind of pop caché, and I include no single-artist compilations, though, for the record, I love compilations. Pitchfork includes Fela Kuti in their ‘70s list, so I figure Afro-pop is fair game. I was going to list my favorites alphabetically (it’s easier for shopping), but listing them in order of preference is really fun to write, and I find, fun to read. So, enjoy! Comments are encouraged.
1. X, Wild Gift (1981)
2. Marshall Crenshaw, Field Day (1983)
3. Bruce Springsteen, Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
4. Robert Cray, Strong Persuader (1986)
5. Franco & Rochereau, Omona Wapi (1983)
6. Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams (1988)
7. Marshall Crenshaw, Marshall Crenshaw (1982)
8. James Blood Ulmer, Odyssey (1983)
9. DeBarge, In a Special Way (1983)
10. Bruce Springsteen, Tunnel of Love (1987)
11. Los Lobos, How Will the Wolf Survive? (1984)
12. Lou Reed, The Blue Mask (1982)
13. The Indestructible Beat of Soweto (1986)
14. George Clinton, Computer Games (1982)
15. New Order, Brotherhood (1986)
16. The Blasters, Non Fiction (1983)
17. John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Double Fantasy (1980)
18. Professor Longhair, Crawfish Fiesta (1980)
19. Cyndi Lauper, She’s So Unusual (1983)
20. Lou Reed, Legendary Hearts (1983)
21. Flipper, Album—Generic Flipper (1982)
22. Lou Reed, New Sensations (1984)
23. Ornette Coleman, Of Human Feelings (1982)
24. Sonny Sharrock, Guitar (1986)
25. Richard & Linda Thompson, Shoot Out the Lights (1982)
26. Laurie Anderson, United States Live (1984)
27. The Blasters, Hard Line (1985)
28. Remmy Ongala, Songs for the Poor Man (1989)
29. Chic, Real People (1980)
30. Go-Betweens, Tallulah (1987)
31. Papa Wemba, L’Esclave (1988)
32. Ornette Coleman, Virgin Beauty (1988)
33. Alberta Hunter, Amtrak Blues (1980)
34. Neil Young, Freedom (1989)
35. King Sunny Ade, Aura (1984)
36. Aretha Franklin, Who’s Zoomin’ Who? (1985)
37. Hüsker Dü, Candy Apple Grey (1986)
38. Psychedelic Furs, Talk Talk Talk (1981)
39. Donald Fagen, The Nightfly (1982)
40. Angry Samoans, Back from Samoa (1982)
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