Album Chart of 1980

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Album Chart of 1980

info.png 87 tracks, runtime 5h 38m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (subject to what's available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube external-link.png
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STRAIGHT OUTTA CAMDEN

This was the year that Tommy McGloin and his combo – El Thommo, Bedders, Woody, Chrissy Boy, Chas, Suggs and Monsieur Barso – truly cemented their status as all-time legends of the British music scene. Not too far behind were Adam and The Ants, The Fall and Joy Division, as London and Manchester retained their grip as the leading hot spots.

Britain’s 2-Tone revolution is in rude-health, with terrific albums from The Specials, The Selecter and The Beat as well as the aforementioned nutty seven.

It’s an exceptional year for Birmingham actually; The Beat are joined by fellow debutants UB40 and Dexys Midnight Runners – making three superb long play statements from the city, all told.

Other notable debutants in this year include Bow Wow Wow, Pretenders, Echo and The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes, as the British New Wave scene continues to develop stylistically in avenues many and varied.

Stateside, Dead Kennedys, Ramones, Captain Beefheart, Lydia Lunch and The Cramps are where it’s at.

After 15 years of the Rhodesian Bush War, Zimbabwe dances to the sound of independence and first-class LPs from Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited and Flavian Nyathi and Blues Revolution commemorate the declaration of the new Republic in April ’80.

For me, 1980 overtakes 1967 as the greatest year for albums to date; the ratings are stronger in-depth at every turn, whether in terms of the Top 10, Top 30 or Top 50.

The Jukebox Rebel
05-Jan-2017

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ABSOLUTELY
Madness
Stiff Records SEEZ-29
England
9.41 “A masterpiece” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Not Home Today” (10) • “You Said” (10) • “In The Rain” (10)
TJR saysFollowing on from their exuberant, if rarely-serious, debut, Madness hit a brilliant peak right here; “Absolutely” manag...more →

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KINGS OF THE WILD FRONTIER
Adam and The Ants
CBS S-CBS-84549
England
9.31 “A masterpiece” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Kings Of The Wild Frontier” (10) • “Ants Invasion” (10) • “Dog Eat Dog” (10)
TJR saysAlong with what seemed like the entire teenage population of the UK, I was an 11-year-old with white line fever digging ...more →

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GROTESQUE (AFTER THE GRAMME)
The Fall
Rough Trade ROUGH-18
England
9.07 “A masterpiece” Post-Punk; Trance Rock

Jukebox picks: “The Container Drivers” (10) • “Pay Your Rates” (10) • “Gramme Friday” (9.8)
TJR saysFor their third new music album there was one change to the starting line-up, with a 16-year-old Paul Hanley (bassist St...more →

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CLOSER
Joy Division
Factory FACT-25
England
8.82 “A classic” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Twenty Four Hours” (10) • “A Means To An End” (10) • “Isolation” (9.9)
TJR saysFor my money, there aren’t too many groups who’ve delivered back-to-back classic albums but I’ve filed Joy Division as e...more →

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FRESH FRUIT FOR ROTTING VEGETABLES
Dead Kennedys
Cherry Red B-RED-10
the USA
8.79 “A classic” Punk

Jukebox picks: “California Über Alles” (10) • “Holiday In Cambodia” (10) • “Kill The Poor” (10)
TJR saysThe debut from the Californian quartet arrived in September ‘80, bursting out with classics left, right and centre. Taki...more →

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END OF THE CENTURY
Ramones
Sire SRK-6077
the USA
8.78 “A classic” Punk; Pop

Jukebox picks: “Chinese Rock” (10) • “Do You Remember Rock ’n’ Roll Radio?” (9.8) • “Rock ’n’ Roll High School” (9.8)
TJR saysThis is Rock n Roll radio, c’mon let’s Rock n Roll with the Ramones.” If ever an album was perfectly introduced, th...more →

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MORE SPECIALS
The Specials
Two-Tone Records CHR-TT-5003
England
8.67 “A classic” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Do Nothing” (10) • “Sock It To ’Em JB” (10) • “Stereotypes” (10)
TJR saysThere are some who would label the second Specials LP as Jerry Dammer’s folly, but most people, myself included, would s...more →

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NOBODY’S HEROES
Stiff Little Fingers
Chrysalis CHR-1270
Northern Ireland
8.53 “A classic” Punk

Jukebox picks: “At The Edge” (10) • “Nobody’s Hero” (9.9) • “Gotta Gettaway” (9.7)
TJR saysThere were many changes since the debut; a move to that there London had resulted in a change of drummer, with Jim R...more →

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GWINDINGWI RINE SHUMBA
Thomas Mapfumo and The Blacks Unlimited
Chimurenga ASLP-5002
Zimbabwe
8.49 “Excellent” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Chitima Cherusununguko” (9.8) • “Mhondoro” (9.6) • “Hwa Hwa” (9.4)
TJR says1978s “Hokoyo!” was brilliant but this post-independence follow-up was on another level again; smoother, prettier, more ...more →

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TOO MUCH PRESSURE
The Selecter
Two-Tone Records CDL-TT-5002
England
8.43 “Excellent” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Missing Words” (10) • “Too Much Pressure” (9.8) • “Three Minute Hero” (9.6)
TJR saysThree Minute Hero” has empathy for the 9-to-5 brigade: “It’s just another day with that endless grey drone.” Th...more →

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SCARY MONSTERS
David Bowie
RCA Victor PL-13647
England
8.43 “Excellent” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)” (9.8) • “Up The Hill Backwards” (9.8) • “Fashion” (9.5)
TJR saysIt’s No Game (No. 1)” opens up the set and immediately demands attention due to the wonderfully strange vocal duet;...more →

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YOUR CASSETTE PET
Bow Wow Wow
EMI ‎WOW-1
England
8.34 “Excellent” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Louis Quatorze” (10) • “Sexy Eiffel Towers” (9.6) • “Radio G-String” (9.4)
TJR saysThis is one of those ultra-rare occasions where every single ingredient is as important as the next in the creation of t...more →

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I JUST CAN’T STOP IT
The Beat
Go-Feet Records BEAT-1
England
8.28 “Excellent” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Hands Off She’s Mine” (10) • “Twist And Crawl” (9.8) • “Jackpot” (9.5)
TJR saysAt the time of their long-play debut in May ’80 the Birmingham sextet were: Dave Wakeling (24, vocals, guitar), ‘Ranking...more →

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UPRISING
Bob Marley and The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9596
Jamaica
8.23 “Excellent” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Coming In From The Cold” (10) • “Real Situation” (9.5) • “Redemption Song” (9.4)
TJR saysDid you ever see such a positive album cover in all of your life? Just one look at that and the whole world seems a bett...more →

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PRETENDERS
Pretenders
Real Records RAL-3
England
8.23 “Excellent” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Brass In Pocket” (10) • “Stop Your Sobbing” (9.4) • “Private Life” (9.2)
TJR saysMashing up the best of your 60s Rhythm n Blues beat combos with your early 70s proto-punk rockers, the Pretenders punchy...more →

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CROCODILES
Echo and The Bunnymen
Korova KODE-1
England
8.16 “Excellent” New Wave; Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Villiers Terrace” (9.8) • “Rescue” (9.7) • “Monkeys” (9.5)
TJR saysIn July ’80, the Bunnymen’s “Crocodiles” was one of the key works delivering a sure-fire sign that Britain’s leftfield r...more →

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THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS
The Psychedelic Furs
CBS CBS-84084
England
8.13 “Excellent” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Flowers” (9.4) • “We Love You” (9.2) • “Blacks / Radio” (8.9)
TJR saysWith Roxy Music having chosen to take a Punk bypass, The Psychedelic Furs plugged the gap in the market for those cravin...more →

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SIGNING OFF
UB40
Graduate Records GRAD-LP-2
England
8.11 “Excellent” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today” (9.7) • “Food For Thought” (9.3) • “King” (9.0)
TJR saysTheirs is an inspirational story; 8 amigos on the dole get together and, although barely proficient, dedicate themselves...more →

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SOUND AFFECTS
The Jam
Polydor POLD-5035
England
8.03 “Excellent” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “That’s Entertainment” (10) • “Pretty Green” (9.6) • “Start!” (9.6)
TJR saysThe Jam’s superb form continues into the new decade with this well-crafted affair, full of nuggets, especially on side o...more →

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ROPA RE ZIMBABWE
Flavian Nyathi and Blues Revolution
Kocorigo KKLP-2000
Zimbabwe
7.91 “Brilliant” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Takawira” (8.9) • “Pfumo Demo” (8.8) • “VaMugabe” (8.7)
TJR saysFrom sadness to relief, celebration to hope, this is an album where the singer, Flavian Nyathi, reflects the mixed emoti...more →

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SEARCHING FOR THE YOUNG SOUL REBELS
Dexys Midnight Runners
Parlophone PCS-7213
England
7.85 “Brilliant” Cerebral Pop; Pop

Jukebox picks: “Burn It Down” (10) • “Geno” (10) • “Tell Me When My Light Turns Green” (8.8)
TJR saysKevin Rowland’s Birmingham soul gang were named after the drug Dexedrine which was used by fans of Northern Soul – for m...more →

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KILIMANJARO
The Teardrop Explodes
Mercury 6359-035
England
7.80 “Brilliant” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Sleeping Gas” (9.3) • “Treason (It’s Just A Story)” (9.2) • “Bouncing Babies” (8.9)
TJR saysFinding balance between a woozy 60s swirl and a sharp new wave punch, the debut from Liverpool’s Teardrop Explodes was a...more →

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BASS CULTURE
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Island Records ILPS 9605
Jamaica
7.66 “Brilliant” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Street ’66” (9.6) • “Reggae Fi Peach” (8.9) • “Inglan Is A Bitch” (8.7)
TJR saysEssentially, this was the third set from the London-based poet, every time in collaboration with Dennis Bovell’s roots-r...more →

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LOONEE TUNES!
Bad Manners
Magnet MAGL-5038
England
7.55 “Brilliant” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Lorraine” (9.8) • “Just A Feeling” (9.6) • “Suicide” (8.6)
TJR saysJust six months on from the debut, the second Bad Manners long-player was out in late October, 1980. The nine remain: Do...more →

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UNDERWATER MOONLIGHT
The Soft Boys
Armageddon Records ARM-1
England
7.54 “Brilliant” New Wave; Proto-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Queen Of Eyes” (8.7) • “Old Pervert” (8.4) • “I Wanna Destroy You” (8.2)
TJR saysThe second long-player from the 4-year-old Cambridge band arrived in June ’80, at which time they lined up: Robyn Hitchc...more →

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SNAP, CRACKLE AND BOP
John Cooper Clarke
Epic EPC-84083
England
7.45 “Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Beasley Street” (8.7) • “Thirty Six Hours” (8.4) • “Conditional Discharge” (8.2)
TJR saysFor his fourth album, the incomparable 31-year-old Punk-Poet continued with his tried and trusted formula of working wit...more →

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EMPIRES AND DANCE
Simple Minds
Zoom Records SPART-1140
Scotland
7.44 “Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “I Travel” (9.8) • “Thirty Frames A Second” (8.6) • “Celebrate” (7.9)
TJR saysWith “Empires and Dance”, the adaptable and experimental Glasgow quintet positioned themselves as the darkest, toughest ...more →

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SONGS THE LORD TAUGHT US
The Cramps
I.R.S. Records SP-007
the USA
7.36 “Really good” Rock n Roll / Rockabilly; Blues / Rhythm n Blues

Jukebox picks: “I Was A Teenage Werewolf” (8.6) • “T.V. Set” (8.4) • “Strychnine” (8.4)
TJR saysA bass-less Rock n Roll horror show from the NYC quartet, an oft-forgotten offspring of CBGB’s. The debut Cramps set was...more →

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DOC AT THE RADAR STATION
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band
Virgin VA-13148
the USA
7.35 “Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Prog

Jukebox picks: “Dirty Blue Gene” (9.6) • “Run Paint Run Run” (8.8) • “Ashtray Heart” (8.6)
TJR saysThose mid-70s miss-steps seem like a distant memory now, as Captain Beefheart delivers another belter to follow 1978s br...more →

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QUEEN OF SIAM
Lydia Lunch
ZE Records ZEA-33006
the USA
7.31 “Really good” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Knives In The Drain” (9.4) • “Lady Scarface” (8.9) • “Atomic Bongos” (8.3)
TJR saysThe solo debut from the 20-year-old arrived in February ’80 and must have come as a bit of a surprise to those who were ...more →

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BABY’S GOT A GUN
The Only Ones
CBS CBS-84089
England
7.29 “Really good” New Wave; Rock

Jukebox picks: “Why Don’t You Kill Yourself” (9.7) • “Deadly Nightshade” (9.1) • “Strange Mouth” (8.8)
TJR says“The Only Ones” (#56, 1978) and “Even Serpents Shine” (#42, 1979) hadn't exactly delivered the commercial success that w...more →

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DO ANIMALS BELIEVE IN GOD?
Pink Military
Eric's ERIC'S-004
England
7.27 “Really good” New Wave; Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Do Animals Believe In God?” (9.0) • “War Games” (8.6) • “Degenerated Man” (8.4)
TJR saysThe one and only album from Liverpool's Pink Miltary, led by vocalist Jayne Casey, think: a moodier Lene Lovich fronting...more →

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KILROY WAS HERE
Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger
Blackthorne Records BR-1063
England
7.26 “Really good” Folk

Jukebox picks: “Kilroy Was Here” (9.1) • “The Androids” (8.1) • “In Praise Of Famous Men and Women” (7.8)
TJR saysAnother fine set of contemporary songs mostly written and sung by Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl with accompaniments by C...more →

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ANALENGO
Papa Wemba et L’Orchestre Viva La Musica
V.I.S.A. 1980 Fran-007
the D.R. Congo
7.20 “Really good” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Mère Supérieure” (7.6) • “Aïssa Na Zoé” (7.2) • “Ngonda” (7.2)
TJR saysThe dapper Papa Wemba was a man on a mission at this time, and the 41-year-old Congolesian, like so many of his peers, h...more →

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KALEIDOSCOPE
Siouxsie and The Banshees
Polydor 2442-177
England
7.06 “Really good” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Christine” (9.7) • “Happy House” (9.2) • “Skin” (8.1)
TJR saysGuitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris had walked out mid-tour in September '79, but the Banshees recovered well,...more →

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ACE OF SPADES
Motörhead
Bronze BRON-531
England
7.05 “Really good” Rock

Jukebox picks: “Ace Of Spades” (10) • “The Hammer” (7.9) • “Bite The Bullet” (7.6)
TJR saysStaring back at you from a sandpit in Barnet were drummer Phil Taylor (26), lead singer and bassist Lemmy (34) and guita...more →

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MAKOTI WAKENA
Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje
Umjondolo ‎LJD-31
South Africa
7.01 “Really good” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Makoti Wakena” (8.7) • “Keneng Ompotsa” (8.5) • “Nkadimeng Bayesekele” (7.5)
TJR saysAs you might have suspected, a wedding celebration is afoot on the glorious title-track of Izintombi Zesi Manje Manj...more →

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GET HAPPY!!
Elvis Costello and The Attractions
F-Beat XXLP-1
England
7.01 “Really good” New Wave; Cerebral Pop

Jukebox picks: “Secondary Modern” (8.7) • “The Imposter” (8.0) • “King Horse” (7.9)
TJR saysThere’s an upbeat soulful stomp to “Get Happy!!”, a high-value album which manages to pack in 20 tracks. The New Wave vi...more →

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SOLDIER
Iggy Pop
Arista AB-4259
the USA
6.90 “Good” Alternative Rock; Proto-Punk

Jukebox picks: “I Need More” (8.6) • “Get Up And Get Out” (8.0) • “Mr. Dynamite” (7.7)
TJR saysThe sixth album from the 32-year-old, his second for Arista, arrived in February, 1980. Recording sessions were marred b...more →

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KILLING JOKE [1980]
Killing Joke
EG EGMD-5.45
England
6.89 “Good” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “The Wait” (7.8) • “Wardance” (7.3) • “Tomorrow's World” (6.9)
TJR saysThe debut album from the 2-year-old London group arrived in October, 1980, and included both of their preceding singles ...more →

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L’ORCHESTRE TAO-TAO DE PARIS
L’Orchestre Tao-Tao de Paris
Afric Music AFMS-005
France
6.88 “Good” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Santa Mutombo” (7.1) • “Lolango Justin Obela” (6.9) • “Ngbonga Ti Liberté” (6.8)
TJR saysL’Orchestre Tao-Tao was formed in 1973 at the University of Amiens, some 75 miles north of Paris, by a group of students...more →

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THE ABSOLUTE GAME
Skids
Virgin V-2174
Scotland
6.81 “Good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Out Of Town” (9.2) • “Circus Games” (9.0) • “A Woman In Winter” (7.5)
TJR saysAgainst a backdrop of group tensions, the third Skids album in just over 18 months arrived in September, 1980. At the tu...more →

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ORGANISATION
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Dindisc DID-6
England
6.79 “Good” Electronica; New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Enola Gay” (9.7) • “Stanlow” (8.8) • “Promise” (7.4)
TJR saysJust 8 months after their debut, the second OMD long-player arrived in October, 1980, with Malcolm Holmes (drums, percus...more →

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SKA ’N’ B
Bad Manners
Magnet MAGL-5033
England
6.71 “Good” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Special Brew” (9.7) • “Lip Up Fatty” (9.4) • “Here Comes The Major” (8.5)
TJR saysThe second-wave of Ska which exploded in the UK in the late 70s was good for this 4-year-old group of Northern London sc...more →

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ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Dindisc DID-2
England
6.70 “Good” New Wave; Electronica

Jukebox picks: “Electricity” (8.8) • “The Messerschmitt Twins” (8.7) • “Bunker Soldiers” (7.5)
TJR saysComing off the back of a strong debut single (“Electricity”), a session for John Peel and a major tour support slot with...more →

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SUICIDE: ALAN VEGA · MARTIN REV
Suicide
Island Records ILPS-7007
the USA
6.68 “Good” Electronica

Jukebox picks: “Fast Money Music” (8.9) • “Mr. Ray (To Howard T.)” (7.5) • “Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne” (7.0)
TJR saysComing some 30 months on from their self-titled debut of 1977, the second Suicide in May, 1980, was relatively anticlima...more →

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BOY
U2
Island Records ILPS-9646
Ireland
6.61 “Good” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Out Of Control” (9.3) • “I Will Follow” (7.8) • “A Day Without Me” (7.5)
TJR saysTheir 4th single in a 13 month period, “A Day Without Me”, was released in August, 1980, the lead single announcemen...more →

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VIENNA
Ultravox
Chrysalis CHR-1296
England
6.60 “Good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Vienna” (9.3) • “Sleepwalk” (8.0) • “All Stood Still” (6.8)
TJR saysPresumed dead, Ultravox rose from the ashes without John Foxx and began the decade anew with a fourth long-player, forme...more →

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JAMAICAN HEROES
Prince Far I
Trojan Records TRLS-190
Jamaica
6.58 “Good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Jamaican Heroes” (7.1) • “Musical History” (7.1) • “Natty Champion” (7.0)
TJR saysHis second for Trojan Records, following on from last years “Free From Sin” and generally a tad stronger. Backing Far I'...more →

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THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
The Boys Next Door
Missing Link LINK-7
Australia
6.56 “Good” Post-Punk; New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Cat Man” (7.7) • “Mr Clarinet” (7.5) • “The Red Clock” (7.3)
TJR saysThe second and final Boys Next Door album serves as some sort of half-way house between the new wave pop of last years “...more →

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THE PIRANHAS
The Piranhas
Sire SRK-6098
England
6.50 “Good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Getting Beaten Up” (10) • “Tom Hark” (8.3) • “I Don’t Want My Body” (8.0)
TJR saysFor their sole long-player in September, 1980, the Brighton five were: Bob Grover (vocals, guitar), Johnny Helmer (guita...more →

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TELEKON
Gary Numan
Beggars Banquet BEGA-19
England
6.50 “Good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “This Wreckage” (7.7) • “Telekon” (7.4) • “Remember I Was Vapour” (6.8)
TJR saysAnother good 'un from the 22-year-old machine-man, giving him a third consecutive UK#1 if you include the final Tubeway ...more →

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GENTLEMEN TAKE POLAROIDS
Japan
Virgin V-2180
England
6.49 “Decent enough” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Methods Of Dance” (8.2) • “Nightporter” (7.9) • “Gentlemen Take Polaroids” (7.0)
TJR saysTheir deal with the German Hansa label at an end, Japan began the decade with a switch to Virgin Records, with the new s...more →

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SEVENTEEN SECONDS
The Cure
Fiction Records FIX-4
England
6.43 “Decent enough” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “A Forest” (8.6) • “Play For Today” (7.2) • “At Night” (7.0)
TJR saysA decisive turn to the moody and a widening of the instrumentation results in a marked improvement on record two. Lost a...more →

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AUTOAMERICAN
Blondie
Chrysalis CHE-1290
the USA
6.39 “Decent enough” Crooner / Cabaret; Disco / Funk

Jukebox picks: “The Tide Is High” (8.7) • “Rapture” (8.2) • “Faces” (7.2)
TJR saysThey always did have a penchant for stylistic adventures on their long-players, but the eclecticism of “Autoamerican” ca...more →

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ZENYATTA MONDATTA
The Police
A&M Records AMLH-64831
England
6.35 “Decent enough” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Don’t Stand So Close To Me” (7.9) • “Canary In A Coalmine” (7.8) • “De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da” (7.6)
TJR says“Zenyatta Mondatta”, good name for an album that. Meaningless, but rhythmic and memorable with connotations for imaginat...more →

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TSAMAYA MORATUOA
Mahotella Queens
Gumba Gumba BL-226
South Africa
6.35 “Decent enough” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Re Basadi Kaofela” (7.7) • “Maqaqailana” (7.0) • “Tshoara Khaitsedi” (6.8)
TJR saysAlthough it doesn't invoke the adrenaline rush of their thumping 70s prime material, “Tsamaya Moratuoa”, released in Mar...more →

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UNINA KAVUSI
S’modern Girls
Umjondolo ‎LJD-30
South Africa
6.31 “Decent enough” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Unina Kavusi” (6.9) • “Mawumthanda” (6.8) • “Ngithetha Amacala” (6.7)
TJR saysThe Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje girls (Jane Dlamini, Julia Mangqu, Lindiwe Mthembu, Nobesuthu Shawe and Hilda Tloubatla) ...more →

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ARGYBARGY
Squeeze
A&M Records AMLH-64802
England
6.26 “Decent enough” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Vicky Verky” (8.9) • “Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)” (8.0) • “Another Nail In My Heart” (7.0)
TJR saysTheir third album statement in three years improves again, with some fantastic writing here and there. Bassist Harry Kak...more →

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BREAKING GLASS
Hazel O’Connor
A&M Records AMLH-64820
England
6.24 “Decent enough” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Eighth Day” (8.3) • “Will You?” (7.7) • “If Only” (7.4)
TJR saysDecent debut album from the intriguing 25-year-old singer-songwriter-actress: “I ran away from my home in Coventry whe...more →

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COLOSSAL YOUTH
Young Marble Giants
Rough Trade ROUGH-8
Wales
6.23 “Decent enough” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Eating Noddemix” (7.4) • “The Man Amplifier” (7.2) • “Include Me Out” (6.8)
TJR saysOn their February 1980 debut, the minimalist Cardiff three-piece were: Alison Statton (21, vocals), Stuart Moxham (24, g...more →

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LAUGHTER
Ian Dury and The Blockheads
Stiff Records SEEZ-30
England
6.21 “Decent enough” Cerebral Pop; Disco / Funk

Jukebox picks: “Fucking Ada” (7.5) • “Uncoolohol” (7.4) • “Hey, Hey, Take Me Away” (7.2)
TJR saysHis best song of the period, “I Want To Be Straight” wasn't on the album, a recurring trait in the Ian Dury story, which...more →

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VISAGE
Visage
Polydor 2490-157
England
6.19 “Decent enough” New Wave; Electronica

Jukebox picks: “Fade To Grey” (9.7) • “Visage” (7.5) • “Mind Of A Toy” (7.2)
TJR saysLeading lights of the new romantic movement were this London super-group consisting of: Steve Strange (lead vocals), Mid...more →

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DISCONNECTED
Stiv Bators
Bomp! BLP-4015
the USA
6.17 “Decent enough” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Too Much To Dream” (7.0) • “Evil Boy” (6.5) • “Swingin’ A Go-Go” (6.4)
TJR saysThe one and only Stiv Bators solo album was sandwiched in between the demise of The Dead Boys (1979) and the birth of Th...more →

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REMAIN IN LIGHT
Talking Heads
Sire SIR-K-56-867
the USA
6.11 “Decent enough” Dubbeat

Jukebox picks: “Once In A Lifetime” (9.8) • “The Overload” (6.7) • “Seen And Not Seen” (5.7)
TJR saysWith Sire all the while, the fourth album in consecutive years from the New Yorkers was delivered in October, 1980, once...more →

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HYPNOTISED
The Undertones
Sire ‎SRK-6088
Northern Ireland
6.09 “Decent enough” New Wave; Punk; Pop

Jukebox picks: “My Perfect Cousin” (8.7) • “Wednesday Week” (7.8) • “More Songs About Chocolate And Girls” (6.6)
TJR saysFor their sophomore release in April, 1980, the Derry five remain: Feargal Sharkey (lead vocals), John O'Neill (guitar, ...more →

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MICHAEL AND MIRANDA
The Passions
Fiction Records FIX-003
England
6.04 “Decent enough” Post-Punk; New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Absentee” (7.4) • “Pedal Fury” (7.3) • “Love Song” (6.4)
TJR saysThe two-year-old London group came into this one on the back of two non-charting singles and a Nov' 79 session for John ...more →

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GROUP SEX
Circle Jerks
Frontier Records ‎FLP-1002
the USA
6.01 “Decent enough” Punk

Jukebox picks: “Live Fast Die Young” (7.2) • “Paid Vacation” (7.0) • “Don't Care” (6.6)
TJR saysThe highly regarded debut mini-album from these Hermosa Beach, California punks was released in October, 1980, consistin...more →

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AMIGO
Black Slate
Ensign ENVY-15
England
5.99 “Average” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Amigo” (8.0) • “Boom Boom” (6.5) • “Romans” (6.4)
TJR saysThey had several years behind them already, but hadn't been making too many recordings in the last few years, which all ...more →

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THE STORY SO FAR
The Mo-Dettes
Deram SML-1120
England
5.95 “Average” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “White Mouse Disco” (6.8) • “Kray Twins” (6.7) • “Masochistic Opposite” (6.5)
TJR saysFor their November, 1980, long-play debut, London's Mo-dettes were: Swiss-born Ramona Carlier (ex-Kleenex, vocals), Amer...more →

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FIRESIDE FAVOURITES
Fad Gadget
Mute STUMM-3
England
5.94 “Average” New Wave; Electronica

Jukebox picks: “The Box” (7.8) • “State Of The Nation” (7.6) • “Coitus Interruptus” (6.4)
TJR saysThe debut record from the provocative Londoner, Frank Tovey, who was just turning 24 at the time of release in September...more →

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GROWING UP IN PUBLIC
Lou Reed
Arista AL 9522
the USA
5.91 “Average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; New Wave; Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Standing On Ceremony” (6.5) • “My Old Man” (6.3) • “So Alone” (6.3)
TJR saysAs the decade turned, Lou was determined to break free of the drugs and alcohol addictions which had hung like a dark cl...more →

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FREEDOM OF CHOICE
Devo
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3435
the USA
5.90 “Average” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Girl U Want” (7.0) • “Snowball” (7.0) • “Whip It” (6.8)
TJR saysArriving in May, 1980, was the third album in three consecutive years from the Akron, Ohio five-piece who remain: Mark M...more →

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PAULINE MURRAY AND THE INVISIBLE GIRLS
Pauline Murray and The Invisible Girls
Illusive 2394-277
England
5.89 “Average” New Wave; Cerebral Pop

Jukebox picks: “Dream Sequence 1” (7.4) • “Mr X” (6.8) • “When Will We Learn” (6.4)
TJR saysFollowing the break-up of Penetration due to group tensions in late '79, their small army of fans were consoled with the...more →

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FOR HOW MUCH LONGER DO WE TOLERATE MASS MURDER?
The Pop Group
Rough Trade ROUGH-9
England
5.84 “Average” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Justice” (7.5) • “Forces Of Oppression” (7.1) • “Feed The Hungry” (6.6)
TJR saysKudos to the fearless and ferocious five who dare to go where pop groups do not: Mark Stewart (vocals), John Waddington ...more →

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MONDO BONGO
The Boomtown Rats
Mercury 6359-042
Ireland
5.81 “Average” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Banana Republic” (7.6) • “The Elephant’s Graveyard (Guilty)” (7.3) • “This Is My Room” (6.8)
TJR saysThe fourth album in four successive years for the Rats who, try as they might, can't get near the high of “A Tonic For T...more →

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PETER GABRIEL [1980]
Peter Gabriel
Charisma CDS-4019
England
5.77 “Average” Cerebral Pop; Film Score / Incidental; Rock

Jukebox picks: “Biko” (9.4) • “Games Without Frontiers” (8.5) • “Intruder” (6.8)
TJR saysIt surprises me that, having been so closely involved with a group that I despised, Peter Gabriel was able to gain a fai...more →

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TRAVELOGUE
The Human League
Virgin V-2160
England
5.67 “Average” Electronica; New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Being Boiled” (7.8) • “The Black Hit Of Space” (7.0) • “Wjl Tonight” (6.7)
TJR saysSheffield's sons of Kraftwerk are sounding really good in places but, as with last years debut, I find they lack strengt...more →

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THE ART OF WALKING
Pere Ubu
Rough Trade ROUGH-14
the USA
5.60 “Average” Avant-Garde; Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Birdies” (7.9) • “Loop” (7.4) • “Misery Goats” (6.4)
TJR saysIt had been thought they were disbanded but Pere Ubu returned for a fourth album in three years, “The Art of Walking” be...more →

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SANDINISTA!
The Clash
CBS FSLN-1
England
5.56 “Average” Reggae; Dubbeat; New Wave; Cerebral Pop

Jukebox picks: “Lose This Skin” (8.7) • “Junco Partner” (8.4) • “Police On My Back” (8.3)
TJR saysHaving been in the hands of a dictatorship from 1936 to 1979, the Sandinista National Liberation Front were heroes to th...more →

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WILD PLANET
The B-52s
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3471
the USA
5.41 “Below average” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Private Idaho” (7.1) • “Runnin' Around” (6.1) • “Strobe Light” (5.6)
TJR saysThe law of diminishing returns strikes early and decisively with the second B-52s long-player....more →

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HEARTATTACK AND VINE
Tom Waits
Asylum Records 6E-295
the USA
5.29 “Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Mr. Siegal” (6.3) • “Heartattack And Vine” (5.5) • “Saving All My Love For You” (5.5)
TJR saysA bit tossed off and bit of a dip in form as far as I'm concerned, although two of the blusier tracks - “Heartattack A...more →

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FLESH AND BLOOD
Roxy Music
EG 2302-099
England
5.25 “Below average” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Over You” (7.4) • “Same Old Scene” (6.9) • “Oh Yeah” (5.6)
TJR saysThe seventh Roxy album arrived in May, 1980, and picked up where “Manifesto” left off - smoothly, with a whole host of s...more →

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THE BLUES BROTHERS
The Blues Brothers
Atlantic SD-16017
the USA
5.20 “Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Soul

Jukebox picks: “Think” (7.9) • “Shake A Tail Feather” (7.3) • “The Old Landmark” (7.0)
TJR saysSurprisingly very good indeed in places - suitably authentic. Mind you, the tracks I’m mostly referring to fondly featur...more →

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STORM WINDOWS
John Prine
Asylum Records 6E-286
the USA
5.18 “Below average” Country

Jukebox picks: “Sleepy Eyed Boy” (7.2) • “One Red Rose” (6.8) • “Living In The Future” (6.0)
TJR saysRecorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama, largely going for the full-band production, to my dismay. These peop...more →

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WARM LEATHERETTE
Grace Jones
Island Records ILPS-9592
Jamaica
4.85 “Poor” Pop

Jukebox picks: “Private Life” (7.9) • “Pars” (5.3) • “A Rolling Stone” (5.0)
TJR saysA big improvement here, although these are mostly all cover versions. Sly and Robbie’s slight push to reggae dub product...more →

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THE NUMBERS
The Numbers
Deluxe Records VPL1-6527
Australia
4.82 “Poor” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “The Modern Song” (5.8) • “Talk To Me” (5.4) • “When I Get Older” (5.3)
TJR saysThe debut album from the two-year-old Sydney power-pop band arrived in October, 1980. With siblings at the heart they li...more →

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SOUL SYNDROME
James Brown
TK Records TK-615
the USA
4.45 “Lame” Disco / Funk

Jukebox picks: “Rapp Payback (Where Iz Moses?)” (6.2) • “Honky Tonk [1980 version]” (4.3) • “Smokin’ & Drinkin’” (4.2)
TJR saysRecorded by Henry Stone for TK right in the midst of the disco era. And that’s just what you get. Generic disco, slightl...more →

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HOTTER THAN JULY
Stevie Wonder
Tamla T8-373M1
the USA
4.18 “Lame” R n B

Jukebox picks: “Master Blaster [jammin’]” (7.3) • “I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It” (6.0) • “Lately” (5.0)
TJR saysThe critically well received 20th new music album from the 30-year-old was released in September, 1980, reaching #3 in t...more →

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REAL EYES
Gil Scott-Heron
Arista AL-9540
the USA
4.06 “Lame” Disco / Funk; R n B

Jukebox picks: “The Train From Washington” (6.5) • “The Klan” (4.6) • “Waiting For The Axe To Fall” (4.4)
TJR saysReleased just in time for Christmas was the second album of the year from the 31-year-old singer-songwriter, a record wh...more →

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SHORT STORIES
Jon and Vangelis
Polydor POLD-5030
Greece
3.85 “Terrible” Songwriter; Prog

Jukebox picks: “Far Away In Baagad” (5.6) • “Curious Electric” (5.0) • “Thunder” (4.3)
TJR saysThe debut long-player from the 5-year-old London five-piece was a critical and commercial success, peaking at #4 in the ...more →

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SUPER TROUPER
ABBA
Polar POLS-322
Sweden
3.78 “Terrible” Pop

Jukebox picks: “Super Trouper” (5.9) • “The Winner Takes It All” (5.3) • “The Piper” (4.6)
TJR saysThe commercial success story continues on their November, 1980, release, the content almost playing out as a real-life d...more →

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SAVED
Bob Dylan
Columbia FC-36553
the USA
3.59 “Terrible” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Pop Ballad; Soul; Soul Ballad

Jukebox picks: “Pressing On” (5.5) • “A Satisfied Mind” (5.0) • “Saved” (4.9)
TJR saysBob’s “Pressing On” to the higher calling of his lord as he enters the 1980s. “Saved” was the second album of Dylan’s “C...more →

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IRON MAIDEN
Iron Maiden
EMI EMC-3330
England
3.54 “Terrible” Rock

Jukebox picks: “Remember Tomorrow” (4.9) • “Transylvania” (4.5) • “Running Free” (4.1)
TJR saysThe debut long-player from the 5-year-old London five-piece was a critical and commercial success, peaking at #4 in the ...more →

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1980
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Arista AL-9514
the USA
3.53 “Terrible” R n B

Jukebox picks: “Shah Mot (The Shah Is Dead / Checkmate)” (4.3) • “Late Last Night” (4.0) • “Willing” (3.9)
TJR saysThey're looking all Star Trek on that cover, but what were Scott-Heron & Jackson trying to tell us about the LP? Said th...more →

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BACK IN BLACK
AC/DC
Albert Productions APLP-046
Australia
3.47 “Terrible” Rock

Jukebox picks: “Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution” (7.0) • “You Shook Me All Night Long” (6.5) • “Back In Black” (4.4)
TJR saysSinger Bon Scott had died in February, 1980, due to some sort of substance misadventure and, after a great deal of soul-...more →

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TROMBIPULATION
Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7249
the USA
3.28 “Terrible” Disco / Funk

Jukebox picks: “Agony Of Defeet” (4.2) • “New Doo Review” (4.0) • “Peek-A-Groove” (3.7)
TJR saysThe ninth Parliament long-player was released in December, 1980, with one single released from the set, “Agony Of Defe...more →

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BRITISH STEEL
Judas Priest
CBS S-CBS-84160
England
3.09 “Terrible” Rock

Jukebox picks: “Breaking The Law” (4.7) • “Rapid Fire” (4.0) • “Steeler” (3.3)
TJR saysThe sixth album from the West Bromwich rockers arrived in April, 1980, and heralded their massive commercial breakthroug...more →

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CONNECTIONS
Richie Havens
Elektra 6E-242
the USA
3.09 “Terrible” Pop Ballad; Soft Rock / A.O.R.

Jukebox picks: “Going Back To My Roots” (4.5) • “We’ve Got Tonight” (3.8) • “Dreams” (3.6)
TJR saysOr, as I like to call it, “Disconnections”. I'm alienated by Richie's comfortable brand of soft rock and pop balladry by...more →

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ARC OF A DIVER
Steve Winwood
Island Records ILPS-9576
England
2.84 “Dire” Pop

Jukebox picks: “Spanish Dancer” (5.1) • “While You See A Chance” (4.7) • “Arc Of A Diver” (2.4)
TJR saysThe fourth album from the 32-year-old singer-songwriter (the second solely credited to himself) arrived in December, 198...more →

1-100 101-200
see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1980



Album Charts by year

“A-list”

1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

“B-list”

1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Album Charts by decade

“A-list”

1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

“B-list”

1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s

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