Album Chart of 1981
| ← 1980 |  |
1982 → |
| Album Chart of 1981 |
67 tracks, runtime 5h 13m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (subject to what's available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube 
WHA’PPEN BIRMINGHAM?
In comparison to recent years, it's not the strongest year for Jamaican Reggae, and the death of Bob Marley in May, aged 36, is a monumental loss to the world in general. Birmingham, England, is a hotbed of vitality in the genre however; a number of groups exist underground, but The Beat and UB40 rise as the standard bearers, each delivering career-best classics as working class discontent and race riots scar Britain in 1981. 2-Tone is on the wane already, but Madness continue to evolve and are looking good to outlast the fashion.
An April mini-album from The Fall maintains their bright start, keeping the skinny rats happy, whilst New Order's opening album statement takes a brilliant first step in overcoming the great loss of Ian Curtis, even if the critics don't agree. Echo and The Bunnymen's potential for awesome drama is there for all to hear, and their ever-growing cult is on the march. Down in that there London, Siouxsie and The Banshees phase II emerge with a new air of authority, whilst Public Image Ltd. release one of the most startling records of the year.
Just as it did with the VU 14 years earlier, New York spawns a cutting edge debut like no other via Glenn Branca's symphonic ensemble of guitarists, tearing up the rule book. It's influence will ripple down slowly over the decades. Other terrific debuts appear Stateside from The Gun Club, X and Black Flag, all of whom hail from the Los Angeles area. Brilliantly, each of the three offer greatly differing signposts for the world beyond 70s Punk.
A thriving soukous scene is emerging in Paris and Brussels, and fine albums from Kanda Bongo Man and Zaïko Langa-Langa lay testament to this. 6 African LPs make my Top 30 all told, from artists originating in the D.R. Congo (3), Congo-Brazzaville (1), Nigeria (1) and Ghana (1).
Commercially, 1981 was a big year for synthesizer-based pop groups, and there's rebel affection for the work of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, Kraftwerk, The Human League, Soft Cell and Heaven 17, all of whom find a place in my favourite 40 albums of the year. Beyond the pop, the Brian Eno / David Byrne collaboration blazes a trail for sample-heavy sonically-varied electronica; dubby, trippy, danceable and worldly.
The Jukebox Rebel
10-Sep-2019
The Beat
Go-Feet Records BEAT-3
“A masterpiece” Reggae; CaribbeanJukebox picks: “Drowning” (10) • “All Out To Get You” (10) • “Walk Away” (10)
Wha'ppen? The album of the year's happening, that's what! Possibly the album which I’ve sung with the most gusto ever; e...more →
The Fall
Rough Trade RT-071
“A masterpiece” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Prole Art Threat” (10) • “An Older Lover Etc.” (9.2) • “Slates, Slags, Etc.” (9.1)
5 months on from “Grotesque”, the Fall delivered a new mini-album in April, 1981, bearing the front-cover taunt of “co...more →
Glenn Branca
99 Records 99-001LP
“A masterpiece” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Light Field (In Consonance)” (10) • “The Ascension” (9.4) • “The Spectacular Commodity” (9.2)
Just as it did with the Velvet Underground 14 years earlier, New York spawns a cutting edge debut like no other, the inc...more →
Kanda Bongo Man
Afro-Rythmes AR-001-81
“A masterpiece” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Amina” (9.6) • “Iyole” (9.3) • “Mazina” (9.0)
Back at home in the D.R. Congo, Kanda Bongo Man had made a bit of a name for himself with Orchestre Bella Mambo, but mad...more →
Moses Mchunu
Ezom Dabu BL-320
“A classic” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Gijima Mfana” (9.9) • “Sibanqoba Ngamunye” (9.8) • “Siyavuma” (9.6)
There he is again with that trademark diamond smile, he's got you onside from the start really. I though his “Inkunzi Em...more →
UB40
DEP International LP-DEP-1
“A classic” ReggaeJukebox picks: “One In Ten” (10) • “Don’t Let It Pass You By” (9.8) • “Present Arms” (9.7)
Now that they were off the dole, the awesome Brummie octet wasted little time in getting their second record out, “Prese...more →
Adam and The Ants
CBS CBS-85268
“A classic” New WaveJukebox picks: “Scorpios” (9.8) • “Prince Charming” (9.8) • “Stand And Deliver” (9.5)
Citing personal conflict and creative differences, bassist Kevin Mooney left the Ants early in 1981 and was replaced by ...more →
Madness
Stiff Records SEEZ-39
“A classic” Pop; ReggaeJukebox picks: “Grey Day” (10) • “Cardiac Arrest” (9.7) • “Promises Promises” (9.5)
In October, 1981, the nutty seven got another long-player in the shops for the third consecutive Autumn. It was preceded...more →
Siouxsie and The Banshees
Polydor POLS-1034
“Excellent” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Spellbound” (9.8) • “Monitor” (9.2) • “Arabian Knights” (8.5)
The group's fourth album in four consecutive years arrived in June, 1981, and the new “phase two” Banshees make this the...more →
Altered Images
Epic EPC-84893
“Brilliant” New Wave; IndieJukebox picks: “Insects” (9.8) • “Midnight” (9.8) • “Love And Kisses” (9.5)
These Glaswegian teenagers made the path to pop stardom seem easy. Send demo tape to favourite band, Siouxsie and the Ba...more →
The Gun Club
Ruby Records JRR-102
“Brilliant” Rock n Roll / RockabillyJukebox picks: “Preaching The Blues” (9.2) • “Promise Me” (8.6) • “For The Love Of Ivy” (8.4)
Having found sympathy for their then-unusual approach of fusing Punk with the Blues via the Slash imprint Ruby Records, ...more →
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Dindisc DID-12
“Brilliant” New WaveJukebox picks: “Joan Of Arc (Maid Of Orleans)” (10) • “Joan Of Arc” (10) • “Souvenir” (9.7)
Their third album in a little under two years arrived in November, 1981, and was preceded by all-time classic singles in...more →
New Order
Factory FACT-50
“Brilliant” New WaveJukebox picks: “The Him” (9.2) • “Dreams Never End” (8.9) • “Doubts Even Here” (8.5)
Within days after the death of Ian Curtis in May, 1980, the three remaining members of Joy Division made a firm resolve ...more →
Pretenders
Real Records SRK-3572
“Really good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Talk Of The Town” (9.8) • “Day After Day” (9.5) • “Message Of Love” (8.4)
For “Pretenders II” the sussed four remain: Chrissie Hynde (vocals, rhythm guitar); James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, k...more →
Echo and The Bunnymen
Korova KODE-3
“Really good” Post-Punk; New WaveJukebox picks: “All My Colours” (10) • “A Promise” (8.8) • “Show Of Strength” (8.7)
The second Bunnymen was delivered in May, 1981, and gave the group their first Top 10 album in the UK, despite adopting ...more →
X
Slash SR-107
“Really good” PunkJukebox picks: “In This House That I Call Home” (9.0) • “We’re Desperate” (8.4) • “I’m Coming Over” (8.3)
For their second long-player in May, 1981, the Angelenos Punks remain: John Doe (28, bass, vocals), Exene Cervenka (25, ...more →
Bopol Mansiamina
Star Musique SMP-6011
“Really good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Décèption Motema” (8.8) • “Cardiaque Ya L’amour” (7.3) • “Issa Touré” (6.7)
Throughout the late 60s and 1970s, the bass player had been involved with a great number of Zairean and West African gro...more →
Johnny Osbourne
Black Joy DHLP-2001
“Really good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Mr. Politician” (8.4) • “Warrior [1981 version]” (8.4) • “Inflation” (7.8)
After having spent most of the 70s in Canada, Johnny was making up for lost time upon his return to his home island with...more →
Kraftwerk
Kling Klang 1C 064-46 311
“Really good” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Taschenrechner” (8.9) • “Computerwelt” (7.8) • “Nummern” (7.4)
Three whole years on from “Die Mensch-Maschine” Kraftwerk finally delivered the much-anticipated follow-up in May, 1981....more →
Brian Eno and David Byrne
Sire SRK-6093
“Really good” Dubbeat; ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Regiment” (8.5) • “Qu’ran” (8.1) • “Moonlight In Glory” (7.7)
Following the Talking Heads albums “More Songs About Buildings And Food” (1978) and “Fear Of Music” (1979) the group's c...more →
Public Image Ltd.
Virgin V-2189
“Really good” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Flowers Of Romance” (8.9) • “Francis Massacre” (8.0) • “Banging The Door” (7.9)
Almost serving as a clue to the turmoil within the ranks, the group's manager, Jeanette Lee, was the front-cover star on...more →
Zaïko Langa-Langa
Gitta GIP-001
“Really good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Confiance” (8.2) • “Makanzi” (7.3) • “Mobembo” (6.9)
Recorded at Daniel Léon's Studio Caramel in Brussels and produced by Bula Sepa for Gitta Productions, also of Brussels. ...more →
Black Flag
SST Records 9502
“Really good” PunkJukebox picks: “Damaged I” (8.5) • “T.V. Party” (8.3) • “What I See” (8.1)
On their December '81 debut the Californian punks line-up: Henry Rollins (20, lead vocals), Greg Ginn (27, lead guitar, ...more →
The Human League
Virgin V-2192
“Really good” New WaveJukebox picks: “The Sound Of The Crowd” (9.7) • “Open Your Heart” (8.4) • “Love Action (I Believe In Love)” (8.0)
Musical and personal differences between founding band members Martyn Ware and Philip Oakey saw the two-year-old fourpie...more →
The Psychedelic Furs
CBS CBS-84892
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Pretty In Pink” (9.2) • “Mr. Jones” (8.1) • “Dumb Waiters” (7.7)
Following the success of last years self-titled debut (Top 20 in the UK) they stuck with producer Steve Lillywhite at Co...more →
The Astronauts
Genius Genius-001
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Baby Sings Folk Songs” (8.8) • “Still Talking” (8.5) • “Everything Stops For Baby” (7.3)
Co-produced by the group and Grant Showbiz, who'd been making a name himself lately as producer with The Fall, Mark Perr...more →
The Birthday Party
Missing Link LINK-14
“Good” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Cry” (7.5) • “A Dead Song” (7.3) • “Zoo Music Girl” (7.2)
Hark! Some intelligent company for The Fall and Public Image Ltd., as the new “post-punk adventurers” movement gathers p...more →
Soft Cell
Some Bizzare BZLP-2
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye” (10) • “Bedsitter” (8.4) • “Tainted Love” (7.9)
Coming on the back of the summer's biggest hit single, the debut full-length from the duo arrived in November, 1981. Sta...more →
Kouka C. Celio et L’orchestre Le Peuple
Beau-Saccot Sound 81-BSS-3301
“Good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Pépé” (7.4) • “Debora” (7.0) • “Sala M’bongo” (6.5)
Having split from his vocal group, Trio Ce.Pa.Kos, the experienced 46-year-old Brazzavillian singer was free to assume t...more →
Okukuseku International Band Of Ghana
RAS RASLPS-007
“Good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Yebre Ama Owou” (7.6) • “Empa Aba” (7.3) • “Awurade Kasa” (7.0)
Recorded in 1980 at Rogers All Stars Recording Studio, Umuokpu, Akwa in Nigeria. At the heart of the record is group fou...more →
The Exploited
Secret Records SEC-1
“Good” PunkJukebox picks: “Exploited Barmy Army” (9.4) • “Sex And Violence” (7.9) • “Ripper” (7.5)
14 originals on the Exploited’s April '81 debut plus a cover of Puncture’s “Mucky Pup”. Fuck army life, fuck the Roy...more →
Elvis Costello and The Attractions
F-Beat XXLP-11
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “New Lace Sleeves” (9.1) • “Shot With His Own Gun” (8.9) • “Clubland” (7.7)
The optimism of 1980’s “Get Happy” gives way to cynicism just 1 year later on “Trust”, the songs on the album dealing wi...more →
U2
Island Records ILPS-9680
“Good” New Wave; IndieJukebox picks: “Scarlet” (7.9) • “Fire” (7.7) • “Gloria” (7.4)
I never realised it at the time, but the second U2 long player was a bit of a spiritual affair, rejoicing in the name of...more →
Heaven 17
Virgin V-2208
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Let’s All Make A Bomb” (8.3) • “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” (8.0) • “The Height Of The Fighting” (7.9)
Creative and personal differences led to Human League founder members Ware and Marsh leaving Oakey et al with it, and th...more →
Grace Jones
Island Records ILPS-9624
“Good” New Wave; DubbeatJukebox picks: “Pull Up To The Bumper” (8.2) • “Feel Up” (7.9) • “Nightclubbing” (7.2)
Wow. Who’d have thought it - from those ridiculous LPs in the 70s, Grace Jones has catapulted into my affections with al...more →
The Fire Engines
Pop Aural ACC-001
“Good” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Hungry Beat” (7.5) • “Lubricate Your Living Room part 1” (7.4) • “Discord” (7.3)
Totally wired “background music for now people” transmitted to you by young Edinburgh mentalists the Fire Engines who li...more →
Bow Wow Wow
RCA RCALP-3000
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Go Wild In The Country” (10) • “Jungle Boy” (8.7) • “Orang-Outang” (7.9)
You’ve just got to feel sorry for those Africans, they’ve been ripped off since forever ago. And McLaren’s crew were jus...more →
The Stranglers
Liberty LBG-30342
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “La Folie” (10) • “Golden Brown” (9.6) • “The Man They Love To Hate” (7.4)
More electro than ever without getting all new romantic about it, the sixth Stranglers long-player arrived in November, ...more →
The Selecter
Chrysalis CHR-1306
“Good” Ska / RocksteadyJukebox picks: “Celebrate The Bullet” (8.6) • “(Who Likes) Facing Situations” (7.1) • “Tell Me What’s Wrong” (6.9)
Too Much Pressure? We didn't know the half of it I think. A very disruptive 1980 saw The Selecter depart 2-Tone, losing ...more →
Dead Kennedys
Alternative Tentacles VIRUS-5
“Decent enough” PunkJukebox picks: “We’ve Got A Bigger Problem Now” (9.2) • “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” (7.6) • “Moral Majority” (6.9)
Following in a new American hardcore punk trend for little high-tempo records packing in 7 to 10 songs, Dead Kenndys rel...more →
Bauhaus
Beggars Banquet BEGA-29
“Decent enough” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Of Lillies And Remains” (7.9) • “Mask” (7.3) • “Hair Of The Dog” (7.1)
For their second album in October, 1981, the Northampton post-punk quartet were: Peter Murphy (24, vocals, additional gu...more →
Angelic Upstarts
Zonophone ZONO-104
“Decent enough” PunkJukebox picks: “Last Night Another Soldier” (7.8) • “2,000,000 Voices” (7.0) • “Heath’s Lament” (7.0)
Seems every second record back in the early 1980s of Thatcher’s Britain was making protest. What a strange co-incidence....more →
Killing Joke
EG EGMD-5.50
“Decent enough” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “The Fall Of Because” (7.9) • “Unspeakable” (7.3) • “Exit” (6.9)
8 months on from their self-titled debut, the second Killing Joke arrived in June, 1981. They remain: Jaz Coleman (vocal...more →
Prince Far I
PRE Records PRE-X-7
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Ghetto Living” (7.8) • “Marble Stone” (7.5) • “Badda Card” (6.8)
As he has done all throughout his career, Far I gives thanks and praise to the most high, Jah, who, they believe, partia...more →
Scars
PRE Records PREX-5
“Decent enough” New WaveJukebox picks: “Your Attention Please” (9.4) • “Obsessions” (7.0) • “Leave Me In Autumn” (6.5)
John Peel loved them from the start, playing both sides of their debut single (“Adult/Ery” / “Horrorshow”) to death in 1...more →
Johnny Osbourne
Cha Cha Music CHADLP-010
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Rude Boys” (7.7) • “Girl Of My Complexion” (7.1) • “Jah Jah Say So” (6.5)
That's a skanking dancehall on the cover - thankfully there are no flirtations with disco fashions on the second of thre...more →
Peter Tosh
Intel Diplo SO-17055
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Wanted Dread And Alive” (7.6) • “Coming In Hot” (7.5) • “Reggaemylitis” (7.1)
“Coming In Hot” hot-hot is a musical shot-shot-shot to start things off in fine style, but my good mood is soon spoi...more →
Prince Far I
Trojan Records TRLS-204
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Coming In From The Rock” (6.6) • “Tribute To Bob Marley” (6.5) • “Skinhead” (6.5)
I don't know it to be intentional, but the sparsity and solemnity of Far I's second long-player of 1981 seems to reflect...more →
Elvis Costello and The Attractions
F-Beat XXLP-13
“Decent enough” CountryJukebox picks: “A Good Year For The Roses” (10) • “Sweet Dreams” (9.3) • “Success” (7.8)
Stamped with a great big MADE IN NASHVILLE, “Almost Blue” was the first Costello record to categorically displace the ar...more →
Clint Eastwood and General Saint
Greensleeves Records GREL-24
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Tribute To General Echo” (8.1) • “Can’t Take Another World War” (6.8) • “Another One Bites The Dust” (6.5)
Producer Henry 'Junjo' Lawes was one of the figures who realised that the market was tiring of the biblical chanters and...more →
Gary Numan
Beggars Banquet BEGA-28
“Decent enough” New Wave; ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Slowcar To China” (8.7) • “Cry, The Clock Said” (7.0) • “Boys Like Me” (6.4)
Well, you can't stay #1 forever, but “Dance” (#3) did at least maintain his succesful run in the higher echelons of the ...more →
The Police
A&M Records AMLK-63730
“Decent enough” New WaveJukebox picks: “Spirits In The Material World” (9.1) • “Invisible Sun” (8.6) • “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” (6.6)
The fourth album for the fourth consecutive Autumn from the consistently decent London trio, now with greater emphasis o...more →
Tom Tom Club
Sire SRK-3628
“Decent enough” DubbeatJukebox picks: “Wordy Rappinghood” (8.8) • “Genius Of Love” (7.1) • “L’éléphant” (6.9)
Encouraged by their fellow Talking Heads to do so, the husband-and-wife duo of bassist/vocalist Tina Weymouth and drumme...more →
The Raincoats
Rough Trade ROUGH-13
“Decent enough” Dubbeat; Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Shouting Out Loud” (7.3) • “Only Loved At Night” (6.8) • “Red Shoes” (6.5)
Since the '79 debut, drummer Palmolive had left for a journey of spiritual self-discovery and by now the other three had...more →
Poly Styrene
United Artists Records UAG-30320
“Decent enough” Songwriter; Alternative Folk; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Dreaming” (8.4) • “Sky Diver” (6.8) • “Toytown” (6.6)
Almost as if the 23-year-old Poly is on a mission to calm down, this pretty, vaguely hippy-ish, affair was a million mil...more →
Mass
4AD CAD-107
“Decent enough” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Mass” (7.9) • “Ill” (6.9) • “F.A.H.T.C.F.” (6.5)
A thoroughly unsettling affair fronted by a tortured vocalist and an evil group who seem want to push him on his way wit...more →
Bad Manners
Magnet MAGL-5043
“Average” Ska / RocksteadyJukebox picks: “Only Funkin’” (8.0) • “Walking In The Sunshine” (7.8) • “Runaway” (7.0)
Their third LP arrived in September, 1981, buoyed by the success of their summertime #3 smash hit “Can Can”, which f...more →
Vangelis
Polydor 2383 602
“Average” Film Score / IncidentalJukebox picks: “Titles” (9.0) • “Chariots Of Fire” (6.1) • “Eric’s Theme” (5.9)
The soundtrack to the historical drama film was released in April, 1981, just weeks ahead of the film's public release. ...more →
The Teardrop Explodes
Mercury 6359-056
“Average” New WaveJukebox picks: “Passionate Friend” (7.7) • “Pure Joy” (7.5) • “The Great Dominions” (6.9)
The quartet remain: Julian Cope (vocals, guitars, bass guitar, piano, organ), Troy Tate (guitars), David Balfe (keyboard...more →
The Go-Go’s
I.R.S. Records SP-70021
“Average” Indie; New WaveJukebox picks: “Can’t Stop The World” (7.3) • “Our Lips Are Sealed” (7.2) • “Automatic” (7.0)
For their July, 1981, long-play debut the 3-year-old punk-turned-power-pop quintet from Los Angeles lined up: Belinda Ca...more →
The Passions
Polydor POLS-1041
“Average” New WaveJukebox picks: “I’m In Love With A German Film Star” (9.6) • “Small Stones” (6.2) • “Alice’s Song” (6.0)
Almost 18 months on from their debut, the second LP from the London quartet arrived in September, 1981. In the interim p...more →
Gil Scott-Heron
Arista AL-9566
“Average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “B Movie” (8.2) • “Inner City Blues” (7.3) • “Gun” (5.3)
At long, long, last Scott-Heron broadens his genre range and consequently rises in my affections. I'm so pleased, I don'...more →
Depeche Mode
Mute STUMM-5
“Average” Electronica; PopJukebox picks: “Just Can’t Get Enough” (7.5) • “New Life” (7.2) • “I Sometimes Wish I Was Dead” (7.0)
Three keyboard players and a singer, eh? The times they were-a-changin’ in 1981. There’s much to like about the Depeche ...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia TC-37496
“Average” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Property Of Jesus” (7.7) • “In The Summertime” (7.2) • “Heart Of Mine” (6.7)
The 40 year old continues with the third in the trilogy of Christian LPs, although the album does include secular as wel...more →
Einstürzende Neubauten
Zickzack ZZ-65
“Average” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Kollaps” (8.0) • “Jet’M” (6.4) • “Negativ Nein” (6.3)
Experimental trio from Berlin unleash radical post-music vision upon unsuspecting public. At this stage Einstürzende Neu...more →
Hazel O’Connor
Albion Records ALB-108
“Below average” New Wave; SongwriterJukebox picks: “(Cover Plus) We’re All Grown Up” (8.8) • “Hanging Around” (6.9) • “Do What You Gotta Do” (6.2)
The third album in thirteen months from the hard-working 26-year-old arrived in September, 1981, with Hazel delighted th...more →
Ultravox
Chrysalis CDL-1338
“Below average” Electronica; New WaveJukebox picks: “The Voice” (6.2) • “The Thin Wall” (6.1) • “Rage In Eden” (6.0)
For the third consecutive time, the fifth Ultravox, released in September, 1981, was co-produced by Conny Plank at his C...more →
Nash The Slash
Cut-Throat Records CUT-4
“Below average” New WaveJukebox picks: “Wolf” (8.3) • “Danger Zone” (5.5) • “Metropolis” (5.4)
The second Nash The Slash album was produced by Steve Hillage, the old Canterbury scene guitarist now turning his hand t...more →
Split Enz
Polydor ENZ-2
“Below average” New Wave; PopJukebox picks: “Wail” (6.8) • “Clumsy” (6.4) • “Hard Act To Follow” (6.1)
“Waiata” is the Māori term for song and singing and the fifth album from the 9-year-old Auckland group followed “True Co...more →
The Stranglers
Liberty LBG-30313
“Poor” New WaveJukebox picks: “Manna Machine” (5.8) • “Waiting For The Meninblack” (5.7) • “Thrown Away” (5.6)
With last years “The Raven” they took a bit of a backwards step in my affections and the follow-up, delivered in Februar...more →
ABBA
Polar POLS-342
“Poor” PopJukebox picks: “I Let The Music Speak” (5.9) • “Head Over Heels” (5.8) • “The Visitors” (5.5)
Björn and Benny married non-Abba girls in 1981, and “The Visitors”, released in November, 1981, understandably, reflects...more →
Magazine
Virgin V-2200
“Lame” New WaveJukebox picks: “The Great Man’s Secrets” (5.4) • “About The Weather” (5.0) • “So Lucky” (5.0)
The fourth Magazine album arrived in June, 1981, and followed all of the others into the UK Top 40, no mean achievement,...more →
New Race
WEA 600-120
“Lame” Proto-Punk; PunkJukebox picks: “November 22, 1963 [live ’81]” (5.5) • “Columbia [live ’81]” (4.6) • “Break My Heart [live ’81]” (4.4)
This one-off-album 'supergroup', conceived to introduce Australians and Americans to each others bands, consisted of Rob...more →
Throbbing Gristle
Fetish Records FR-2007
“Terrible” Avant-GardeJukebox picks: “Guts On The Floor [live 29 may ’81]” (5.5) • “Persuasion [live 29 may ’81]” (4.6) • “Discipline (Reprise) [live 29 may ’81]” (4.3)
Recorded 29th May 1981 in San Fransisco - would prove to be their last live performance until the reformation 23 years l...more →
Rush
Anthem Records ANR-1-1030
“Terrible” Rock; ProgJukebox picks: “Vital Signs” (5.0) • “Witch Hunt (Part III of "Fear")” (4.1) • “YYZ” (3.7)
For their 8th long-player in February, 1981, the Toronto trio remain: Geddy Lee (vocals, bass, synthesizers), Alex Lifes...more →
Swamp Dogg
Takoma TAK 7099
“Terrible” Pop; Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “A Hundred And …” (4.5) • “California Is Drowning And I Live Down By The River” (4.0) • “It’s Just A Little Time Left” (3.7)
LOL! Check that cover! Swamp Dogg, black man standing tall on a boardroom table, bedecked in resplendent white suit, com...more →
Canned Heat
Destiny Records DLA-10007
“Terrible” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “You Can’t Get Close To Me” (4.6) • “Hell’s Just Down The Line” (4.4) • “Dog House Blues” (3.7)
This Status Quo cheezefest is the worst yet. With the limited success of 1978’s “Human Condition” Bob Hite attempted to ...more →
INXS
Deluxe Records VPL1-6601
“Terrible” Pop; New WaveJukebox picks: “Underneath The Colours” (5.6) • “Barbarian” (4.9) • “Follow” (3.8)
Providing that all-important conduit between Elton John and Japan, the second album from the Sydney group arrived in Oct...more →
Desmond Dekker
Stiff Records SEEZ-36
“Dire” Reggae; PopJukebox picks: “I’ll Get By” (5.0) • “We Can And We Shall” (4.8) • “Moving On” (4.1)
Desmond’s second LP for Stiff Records, following last years remakes set “Black and Dekker”. Unhappy at the lack of comme...more →
Genesis
Charisma CBR-102
“Dire” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Who Dunnit?” (4.2) • “Abacab” (4.0) • “Dodo/Lurker” (3.0)
Phil Collins had been doing a roaring trade with his solo debut “Face Value” earlier in the year, and this informs “Abac...more →
Bobby Womack
Beverly Glen Music BG-10000
“Dire” R n BJukebox picks: “So Many Sides Of You” (4.0) • “Stand Up” (2.7) • “Lay Your Lovin’ On Me” (2.4)
This November '81 release represented a big turnaround in fortunes for the 37-year-old, whose golden period of the early...more →
Startrax
Picksy Records KSY-A-1005
“Dire” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Startrax Club Disco, Reggae [album version, side a]” (2.2) • “Startrax Club Disco, Reggae [album version, side b]” (2.0)
The second Startrax album recorded in the UK by Picksy Records, released on Picksy KSYA-1005 LP. 65 non-stop segued regg...more →
Luther Vandross
Epic FE-37451
“An embarrassment” R n B; Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Never Too Much” (3.4) • “Don’t You Know That?” (1.5) • “A House Is Not A Home” (1.5)
It's all strongly detestable to my ears, but this August '81 release was the big breakthrough for the 30-year-old R n B ...more →
Journey
Columbia TC-37408
“An embarrassment” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; RockJukebox picks: “Don’t Stop Believin’” (2.8) • “Keep On Runnin’” (1.4) • “Dead Or Alive” (1.3)
Whilst it stands as my definition of musical hell, this chart-topping July '81 release is almost universally revered as ...more →
Starsound
CBS S-CBS-86132
“An embarrassment” Disco / Funk; PopJukebox picks: “Stars On 45, Beatles Medley” (2.4) • “Nutrocker Medley” (0.7) • “Stars On 45, Boogie Nights Medley” (0.6)
In the late 70s and early 80s, DJs on both sides of the Atlantic were producing and playing their own bootleg mixes inco...more →
Tight Fit
Jive HIP-1
“Pathetically abysmal” PopJukebox picks: “Back To The 60’s [album version, side a]” (1.0) • “Back To The 60’s [album version, side b]” (0.6)
London producer Ken Gold copies Dutch producer Japp Eggermont's Stars on 45 project, employing studio musicians to mimic...more →
Startrax
Picksy Records KSY-A-1001
“Pathetically abysmal” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Startrax Club Disco [album version, side a]” (0.9) • “Startrax Club Disco [album version, side b]” (0.4)
The first Startrax album - produced by Bruce Baxter (famous for producing the vast majority of Hallmark’s Top of The Pop...more →
Enigma
Creole Records CRX-1
“Pathetically abysmal” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Ain’t No Stoppin’ (Medley)” (0.5) • “I Love Music (Medley)” (0.4) • “Good Times (Medley)” (0.2)
Another from the medley craze era of '81, featuring banal re-recordings of 72 mobile disco hits over 4 mixes. Dear oh de...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1981 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s