Here are 21 underrated rock albums from the 1980s that you absolutely need to own on vinyl.
Being underrated rock albums is about the only thing these titles have in common. Many of the selections on this list represent rock acts that took a risk that may not have landed with their entire fan base.
Iggy Pop’s Zombie Birdhouse, for example, was considered meandering and a little too experimental for some who were introduced to the rocker through The Stooges’ music when it came out in 1982. Maybe they should get over it and consider giving it a second chance more than 40 years later.
READ MORE 11 Underrated ’90s Albums Every Rock Fan Should Own on Vinyl
Then there are those acts whose early work deserves to be remembered. Los Angeles punk band X is often remembered for their cover of “WIld Thing,” Their 1980 debut demands just as much, if not more, attention.
Here is a look at those underrated albums, along with releases from top rock acts from the ’80s, including Depeche Mode, The Cure and the Replacements.
The Cure, Seventeen Seconds (1980)
Key tracks: “A Forest,” “Play for Today,” “M”
Buy it here.
The Jam, Sound Affects (1980)
Key tracks: “That’s Entertainment,” “Start!,” “Man in the Corner Shop”
Buy it here.
Loverboy, Loverboy (1980)
Key tracks: “Turn Me Loose,” “The Kid is Hot Tonite,” “Always On My Mind”
Buy it here.
Talking Heads, Remain in the Light (1980)
Key tracks: “Once in a Lifetime,” “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On),” “Crosseyed and Painless”
Buy it here.
X, Los Angeles (1980)
Key tracks: “Los Angeles,” “Johnny Hit and Run Paulene,” “Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not”
Buy it here.
Pretenders, Pretenders II (1981)
Key tracks: “I Go To Sleep,” “Message of Love,” “Talk of the Town”
Buy it here.
Van Halen, Fair Warning (1981)
Key tracks: “Unchained,” “Mean Street,” “Hear About it Later”
Buy it here.
Descendents, Milo Goes to College (1982)
Key tracks: “Hope,” “Suburban Home,” “Myage”
Buy it here.
Iggy Pop, Zombie Birdhouse (1982)
Key tracks: “Run Like a Villain,” “The Villagers,” “Watching The News”
Buy it here.
KIX, Cool Kids (1983)
Key tracks: “Body Talk,” “Cool Kids, “For Shame”
Buy it here.
Social Distortion, Mommy’s Little Monster (1983)
Key tracks: “Mommy’s Little Monster,” “Another State of Mind,” “The Creeps”
Buy it here.
R.E.M., Reckoning (1984)
Key tracks: “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville,” “So. Central Rain,” “Harborcoat”
Buy it here.
Replacements, Let It Be (1984)
Key tracks: “Androgynous,” “I Will Dare,” “Unsatisfied”
Buy it here.
Violent Femmes, Hallowed Ground (1984)
Key tracks: “Country Death Song,” “Jesus Walking On The Water,” “Never Tell”
Buy it here.
Dead Milkmen, Big Lizard In My Backyard (1985)
Key tracks: “Bitchin’ Camaro,” “Dean’s Dream,” “Tiny Town”
Buy it here.
Johnny Thunders, Que Sera Sera (1985)
Key tracks: “Short Lives,” “Alone In a Crowd,” “M.I.A.”
Buy it here.
The Call, Reconciled (1986)
Key tracks: “I Still Believe (Great Design),” “Everywhere I Go,” “The Morning”
Buy it here.
Depeche Mode, Black Celebration (1986)
Key tracks: “Stripped,” “A Question of Time,” “A Question of Lust”
Buy it here.
Love and Rockets, Express (1986)
Key tracks: “Holiday on the Moon,” “Kundalini Express,” “All in My Mind”
Buy it here.
Winger, Winger (1988)
Key tracks: “Seventeen,” “Headed for a Heartbreak,” “Madalaine”
Buy it here.
Bad Religion, No Control (1989)
Key tracks: “You,” “I Want to Conquer The World,” “No Control”
Buy it here.
And speaking of music from the ’80s that deserved more appreciation, here is a look at 25 bands from that decade that should have been bigger.
25 1980s Rock Bands That Should Have Been Bigger
Their ’80s moments in the spotlight were fleeting, but should these acts have deserved better?
Gallery Credit: Chad Childers, Loudwire
