The 1980s
From post-punk, new wave and synth-pop to alternative rock, metal and the rise of modern pop — explore our album reviews from a decade of bold sounds, new technology and musical reinvention.
1980s Reviews
Album Review: Black Sabbath’s Mob Rules
When Ronnie James Dio stepped into the spotlight for Mob Rules, Black Sabbath didn’t just survive—they sharpened their…
Album Review: The Police’s Zenyatta Mondatta
Zenyatta Mondatta finds The Police at a crossroads—sharpening their sound, expanding their themes, and delivering one of their…
Album Review: The Sugarcubes’ Life’s Too Good
Chaotic, charming, and completely unclassifiable, Life’s Too Good burst out of Iceland in 1988 like a neon-lit fever…
Album Review: David Bowie’s Never Let Me Down
David Bowie’s Never Let Me Down aimed to reclaim his rock roots but collapsed under glossy production and…
Album Review: David Bowie’s Tonight
David Bowie’s Tonight trades his usual creative risks for a polished, pop-reggae sound that rarely hits the mark.
Album Review: David Bowie’s Let’s Dance
David Bowie’s Let’s Dance is more than an ‘80s dance anthem album—it’s a refined fusion of groove, grit,…
Album Review: David Bowie’s Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
David Bowie’s Scary Monsters isn’t just an album; it’s a haunting exploration of fractured identities, biting social critique,…
Album Review: Roger Waters’ The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking
In his first solo outing post-Pink Floyd, Roger Waters trades stadium-sized anthems for a sleepless night’s confession.
Album Review: Prince’s Sign O’ The Times
Prince’s Sign O’ The Times isn’t just an album—it’s a bold manifesto of sound and soul.
Album Review: Sade’s Diamond Life
With its blend of jazz-infused soul and lyrical elegance, Diamond Life didn’t just introduce Sade—it redefined what a…
Album Review: Queen’s The Game
Queen ditched the rules and embraced a new era with The Game.
Album Review: The Smiths’ The Smiths
Before they became icons of outsider cool, The Smiths burst onto the scene with a debut that felt…
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