21 Underrated Rock Albums from the 1980s You Need on Vinyl
The 1980s was a transformative decade for rock music, marked by experimentation and a variety of styles. While some albums became iconic, many deserving records were overlooked. Below is a curated list of 21 underrated rock albums from the ’80s that every vinyl collector should consider adding to their collection.
Exploring the Underrated Gems
These albums share a common thread of being underrated, often taking creative risks that left some fans perplexed. For instance, Iggy Pop’s Zombie Birdhouse was deemed too experimental upon its release in 1982, despite its artistic merit. More than 40 years later, it deserves a second listen. Similarly, Los Angeles punk band X, often remembered for their cover of “Wild Thing,” made an indelible mark with their 1980 debut, Los Angeles, which is a must-listen for any rock enthusiast.
Noteworthy Albums from the ’80s
The Cure – Seventeen Seconds (1980)
Key tracks: “A Forest,” “Play for Today,” “M”
The Jam – Sound Affects (1980)
Key tracks: “That’s Entertainment,” “Start!,” “Man in the Corner Shop”
Loverboy – Loverboy (1980)
Key tracks: “Turn Me Loose,” “The Kid is Hot Tonite,” “Always On My Mind”
Talking Heads – Remain in Light (1980)
Key tracks: “Once in a Lifetime,” “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On),” “Crosseyed and Painless”
X – Los Angeles (1980)
Key tracks: “Los Angeles,” “Johnny Hit and Run Paulene,” “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not”
Pretenders – Pretenders II (1981)
Key tracks: “I Go To Sleep,” “Message of Love,” “Talk of the Town”
Van Halen – Fair Warning (1981)
Key tracks: “Unchained,” “Mean Street,” “Hear About it Later”
Descendents – Milo Goes to College (1982)
Key tracks: “Hope,” “Suburban Home,” “Myage”
Iggy Pop – Zombie Birdhouse (1982)
Key tracks: “Run Like a Villain,” “The Villagers,” “Watching The News”
KIX – Cool Kids (1983)
Key tracks: “Body Talk,” “Cool Kids,” “For Shame”
Social Distortion – Mommy’s Little Monster (1983)
Key tracks: “Mommy’s Little Monster,” “Another State of Mind,” “The Creeps”
R.E.M. – Reckoning (1984)
Key tracks: “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville,” “So. Central Rain,” “Harborcoat”
The Replacements – Let It Be (1984)
Key tracks: “Androgynous,” “I Will Dare,” “Unsatisfied”
Violent Femmes – Hallowed Ground (1984)
Key tracks: “Country Death Song,” “Jesus Walking On The Water,” “Never Tell”
Dead Milkmen – Big Lizard In My Backyard (1985)
Key tracks: “Bitchin’ Camaro,” “Dean’s Dream,” “Tiny Town”
Johnny Thunders – Que Sera Sera (1985)
Key tracks: “Short Lives,” “Alone In a Crowd,” “M.I.A.”
The Call – Reconciled (1986)
Key tracks: “I Still Believe (Great Design),” “Everywhere I Go,” “The Morning”
