The Best Albums, From All Genres, Of 1980
As the world transitioned into a new decade, the music industry of 1980 was shaped, in part, by a diverse range of genres. As you’ll see from this subjectively ranked list, the breadth of iconic albums not only reflects the cultural shifts of the era, but would go on to shape the musical landscape for many years, and in some cases decades, to come.
The vinyl record continued to dominate the home consumer market while the compact cassette tracked solidly as a portable alternative for music distribution. Of course, as important as the music formats were to music lovers of the era, it truly was the kaleidoscope of styles and an eclectic mix of genres, that left its mark on the music released in 1980.
Rock Anthems And Diversity Within The Genre
AC/DC's Back In Black (July 25th) emerged as a rock juggernaut, paying tribute to their late lead singer Bon Scott and established itself as one of the best-selling albums of all time. Iron Maiden introduced their self-titled debut album (April 14th), laying the foundation for a legendary career in heavy metal, while Queen's The Game (June 30th) explored diverse musical styles, further solidifying their global presence.
Alice Cooper's Flush The Fashion (April 28th) showcased the artist's experimental edge, while Cold Chisel's East (June 2nd) became a landmark release in Australian rock.
Flowers, later known as Icehouse, made their mark with the eponymous album Icehouse (October 10th), foreshadowing their prominence within the new wave scene while The Alan Parsons Project blended progressive rock with conceptual storytelling with The Turn Of A Friendly Card (November 1st).
Pop, Ballads, And A Touch Of Soul
ABBA continued their dominance with Super Trouper (November 3rd), delivering infectious pop melodies while Stevie Wonder's Hotter Than July (September 29th) produced soulful and timeless rhythms.
Air Supply's Lost In Love (March 3rd) and Elton John's 21 At 33 (May 13th) would further highlight the diversity, and importance, of ballads within the pop and soft rock genres.
Smooth Jazz Vibes With A Touch Of Instrumental Brilliance
Not to be outdone by the commercially viable music genres, Hancock’s Monster (n.d) and George Winston's Autumn (n.d) showcased instrumental genius within the annals of jazz fusion and piano composition genres.
As we further reflect on the gems of 1980, these albums remain not only relics of the past but vibrant testaments to the creativity and cultural influences that defined an era. Each note and lyric echoes the spirit of a transformative period in music history and continues to resonate with music lovers to this very day.
Within the list below, the best albums from 1980 have been ranked from best to almost the best, but not quite. However, depending on your subjective preferences, you may prefer a different order, omit some, or even ponder some that are not included. Trust me, I’ve changed the order countless times because determining the best albums often depends on how one feels at any given moment. Either way, let’s simply enjoy the best music from 1980.
1. ABBA – Super Trouper
Super Trouper is an incredible album from start to finish. While I still consider The Visitors to be a superior release, Super Trouper is a musical masterpiece that not only needs to be heard but shared, for it’s a timeless classic that will continue to be appreciated for as long as intelligent music-loving life exists.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Super Trouper.
2. AC/DC – Back In Black
Back In Black may have catapulted AC/DC to a level of success that dwarfed everything they had previously achieved, but it simultaneously became one of the greatest hard rock albums ever released while memorialising their former frontman. Back In Black truly knows no equal, it's a masterpiece!
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Back In Black.
3. Air Supply – Lost In Love
Lost In Love is a timeless classic and while some will dismiss it as merely a soft rock ballad-focused album of love songs, that determination is too limiting for there’s something here for every music lover to enjoy; if you give it a chance, that is! If you do, you’ll no doubt agree that Lost In Love is not only Air Supply’s greatest album but that it's one of the best albums released in 1980.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Lost In Love.
4. Alice Cooper – Flush The Fashion
Flush The Fashion is Alice Cooper’s fifth album post the Alice Cooper Band era and sees a slight shift in style compared to Cooper’s prior releases. With a new wave feel, one that was particularly relevant to the era, Cooper recorded an album that is nothing short of an underrated masterpiece.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Flush The Fashion.
5. Cold Chisel – East
East is an exceptional release that has only ever been overshadowed by Circus Animals; a truly incredible album that builds on what East was able to achieve. While Cold Chisel has an incredible legacy far exceeding these records, it’s these early 80s albums that, for me at least, represent the very best of this iconic Australian rock and roll band.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of East.
6. Elton John – 21 At 33
21 At 33 is an incredible Elton John album that is severely underrated and really should be in every fan’s collection. There is little doubt, in my mind, that 21 At 33 is one of the best releases from 1980. Seriously, check it out if you haven’t already; it’s astonishingly good!
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of 21 At 33.
7. Flowers – Icehouse
Flowers would soon become Icehouse and the rest, as they say, is history! Released in 1980, Icehouse catapulted Flowers to the top of the Australian and New Zealand charts with songs that have forever become part of the social consciousness and are subsequently one of those must-own albums as it has become a classic record of the Australian 80s music scene.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Icehouse.
8. George Winston – Autumn
Released in 1980, Autumn is George Winston’s second studio album of piano solos inspired, naturally, by the season that adorns the album title. There’s a new age meets ambient feel with a touch of folk mixed in for good measure. The result is an addictively good record that you’ll find yourself playing on repeat for hours on end.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Autumn.
9. Herbie Hancock – Monster
Monster is, pun intended, a monster of an album. It’s the perfect length, at approximately 42 minutes and its six songs are amongst the very best Hancock has ever recorded. Yes, Monster isn’t his most successful, nor is it extremely well-known, but if you give it a chance, I’ve no doubt you’ll find the same musical bliss I have for when I listen to Monster, it reminds me of why I love music.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Monster.
10. Iron Maiden – Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden is a musical masterstroke and is a debut that has not only stood the test of time but is as relevant to the Iron Maiden story as any other album in their extensive back catalogue. It is, without a doubt, one of the best albums released in 1980 and is amongst the greatest Metal albums of all time; a timeless classic!
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Iron Maiden.
11. Queen – The Game
It isn’t erroneous to consider Queen as an artist better known for their hits than their albums, but as it pertains to their 1980 release, The Game, it’s all killer, no filler.
If you don’t have this album in your collection it is time to reflect as to why, for The Game is one of Queen’s greatest and most fluid album experiences.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of The Game.
12. Stevie Wonder – Hotter Than July
There is little doubt that Hotter Than July is one of the better albums in Stevie Wonder’s extensive catalogue of music. Songs In The Key Of Life, however, is his musical opus, but Hotter Than July is difficult to ignore for its upbeat musicality will compel you.
Check out the full review for a more detailed overview of Hotter Than July.
13. The Alan Parsons Project – The Turn of a Friendly Card
Allister Jenks, a freelance music reviewer, and podcaster, has penned a review of The Turn Of A Friendly Card from his own subjective perspective and I can only concur with his findings as there really is no track out of place, no track which lets the album down, and it's an album that you'll never tire of listening to from end to end.
Check out Allister's full review for a more detailed overview of Turn Of A Friendly Card.
Honourable Mentions (In Alphabetical Order)
These are albums from 1980 that I appreciate but don’t feel are the best of the best. However, there’s some killer music to be heard here, so load up your favourite streaming service and give them a listen, for our music tastes are subjective and you may just come across an album that you consider a masterpiece.
