80s
68 album and song reviews from the 80s, newest first. Page 2 of 3.
“Bizarre Love Triangle” by New Order
One of the best dance tracks of the 80s.
"Ride the Lightning" by Metallica
The band's defining album turns 40.
“Diamond Life” by Sade
A sublime slice of R&B turns 40.
“Cruel Summer” by Bananarama
But it's actually fun.
“Baby I’m a Star” by Prince
A "Purple Rain" highlight.
“Purple Rain” by Prince
Dearly beloved, let's celebrate 40 years of greatness.
“Bleach” by Nirvana
A grunge masterpiece turns 35.
“Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones
A very fun (and very 80s) Stones cut.
“Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen
The Boss's commercial peak turns 40.
“Private Dancer” by Tina Turner
A peerless comeback album turns 40.
“Songs From the Big Chair” by Tears for Fears
My absolute favorite 80s album.
“Empire Burlesque” by Bob Dylan
A misunderstood gem in Dylan's catalog.
“Paid in Full” by Eric B. & Rakim
A foundational hip-hop text.
“The Age of Consent” by Bronski Beat
A poignant synth-pop extravaganza.
“Tracy Chapman” by Tracy Chapman
One of the greatest folk albums ever.
“The Stone Roses” by The Stone Roses
The birth of Madchester turns 35.
“Full Moon Fever” by Tom Petty
This late-80s gem turns 35.
“Doolittle” by the Pixies
A near-perfect alternative LP turns 35.
“Run-D.M.C.” by Run-D.M.C.
One of music history’s most pivotal moments.
“Like a Prayer” by Madonna
It's the 35th anniversary of the Material Girl's late-80s opus.
“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston
The 1987 megahit that has become the lasting image of peak Whitney Houston.
“3 Feet High and Rising” by De La Soul
Celebrating the 35th anniversary of this sterling debut.
“Love Shack” by the B-52’s
One of the most irrepressible earworms of the 80s.
“Mystery Girl” by Roy Orbison
Celebrating the recent 35th anniversary of a tender, incredible swan song.
“Rosanna” by Toto
A stone-cold 80s pop-rock classic.
“Technique” by New Order
Celebrating the 35th anniversary of this club classic.
“1984” by Van Halen
One of the most exhilarating rock records of the 80s turns 40!
"The Great Adventures of Slick Rick" by Slick Rick
The endlessly influential rap debut turns 35.
“Daydream Nation” by Sonic Youth
Celebrating the 35th anniversary of noise-rock's watershed moment.
"She's So Unusual" by Cyndi Lauper
80s Week concludes with a special 40th anniversary celebration!