Top ten albums of 1981
Here are my top ten albums for 1981.1)Van Halen - Fair Warning2)Iron Maiden- Killers3)Ozzy- Diary of a madman4)Black Sabbath- The Mob Rules5)Motley Crue-Too fast for love6)Def Leppard-High and dry7)Rush-Moving Pictures8)Hanoi Rocks-Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks9)Cirith Ungol-Frost and fire10)Tie: Raven- Rock 'till you drop and Venom- Welcome to hellIn 1981 the NWOBHM was still going strong. Iron Maiden started to develop the style that would serve them so well for most of the decade. Several albums on my list are debuts so a good year for new bands indeed.
Forgot to mention that I will have my top ten album list for 1982 out next week.
ReplyDeleteFor me the Van Halen, RUSH, Hanoi Rocks and Raven would be removed from that list.
ReplyDeleteI'd replace them with Motorhead - No Sleep Till Hammersmith, Riot - Fire DOwn Under, Sabbath - Mob Rules and Thin Lizzy's Renegade.
There is certainly plenty to choose from that year for sure.
Sean-Sabbath are on my list. I don't consider live albums for my top ten lists. I don't think that I have ever heard a whole album by Riot.
ReplyDeleteI think '81 stands as one of the greatest years for rock, metal, post-punk, even the early roots of new wave before that style went sappy...good picks, but there's so danged many to choose from in that awesome year
ReplyDeleteI'm just saying that the Sabbath should be in there twice, but only after Killers. :P
ReplyDeleteTypically I don't count live albums either but that one is special.
No Riot? Man, my recommendations would be (in order) Thundersteel, Fire Down Under and Privilege of Power. The first and third aforementioned LPs were when they were more US power metal. Fire Down Under is just incredible, especially by 1981's standards. Most songs from those albums are up on Youtube, check em out.
I agree with Sean about Riot's 'Fire Down Under' - one of the most underrated albums of the early 80s. I disagree with him about Raven though, their early stuff was killer.
ReplyDeleteI'd also add 'Breaker' by Accept.
BTW - Killers by Maiden is easily my number one on that list.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Raven just never did it for me. I did get to spend a day with them back around 99 or 2000 when they played Jaxx. Those guys were a hoot and great live, but I can't listen to them.
ReplyDeleteThis is good list. 81 kicked ass for heavy metal. There are a couple on there that I never heard. I'll dig them up to see why you think so highly of them. Come on over to Rock n' Roll View to see my top 5 debut albums. Leave a comment on your thoughts. I'll do a top ten. : )
ReplyDeleteRiot "Fire Down Under" Saxon "Denim & Leather" should be on there.
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