The early 1980s were an intriguing time in music. Classic rock of the 1970s was still thriving with new releases in 1982 from The Who, Springsteen, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Rainbow, and more. At the same time, The Damned and Dead Kennedys were punk veterans, and The Clash went commercial with Combat Rock. New wave was in its prime with new albums from Devo, The Go-Go’s, ABC, XTC, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Human League, and the first from the Flock of Seagulls and their song that never dies, “I Ran.” My list of 10 favorites from 1982 reflects this musical divergence.
Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel – This was the 4th and final self-titled album from Peter Gabriel (sometimes called “Security”). Best known for the outlier “Shock the Monkey,” it was broad, electronic, and experimental. The overriding sound is Gabriel’s throaty, emotional vocals, as exemplified in the opener “Rhythm of the Heart.”
All Four One by The Motels – It may be sleek and commercial, but I couldn’t resist the sweet sounds of “Mission of Mercy,” “Only the Lonely,” and “Take the L.” I saw this album tour with the Plimsouls as opener at Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo on April 22, 1982. Also got the album cover signed by Martha Davis at the Motels show on February 21, 2002, at Bonnema Brewery in Atascadero.
Avalon by Roxy Music – The 8th and final album from Roxy Music completed their musical circuit from glam rock to smooth sophistication. Bryan Ferry brings the lush, seductive, and stylish. “More Than This” is the beautiful highlight.
Night and Day by Joe Jackson – Another artist who changed greatly over the years from edgy new wave (often compared to early Elvis Costello and Graham Parker) to a swingy jazz album, to this album’s story of an Englishman in NYC. Side One is Night, Side Two is Day. Piano and keyboards lead the way here with the powerful piano ballad, “Breaking Us in Two” and the gorgeous “Steppin’ Out.” Stay tuned for a Joe Jackson retrospective and concert review after I come out of my Covid concert hibernation and see him on June 9th at the Fremont Theater.
Pornography by The Cure – As a big Cure fan, I’ve never been able to pin down how I really feel about Pornography. To say it’s dark doesn’t nearly explain it. It’s dense, trippy, and full of despair. There’s nothing else like it and no one else could produce such a camp out in hell.
Forever Now by the Psychedelic Furs – Love this one. The gloomier “President Gas” reminiscent of their early work, the catchy hit “Love My Way,” and the upbeat joy of the title song. Synths, sax, and strings bring home the pop hooks.
Imperial Bedroom by Elvis Costello and the Attractions – This album went back to the piano after the country western of Almost Blue. No hit singles, but the beautiful piano melody of a “Man Out of Time” is worthy of it. It’s an excellent concise collection of songs with different styles and emotionally elusive lyrics.
Under the Big Black Sun by X – This just might be the best X album with its perfect blend of punk and rock with a touch of rockabilly. “The Hungry Wolf” launches the album with its urgent beat and mournful harmonies. Exene and John Doe sparkle on “Motel Room in My Bed” and “Blue Spark, respectively.
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) by Simple Minds – Hard to believe this Scottish band had six albums before this one (and 13 after!). It’s the pinnacle of their career as the keys, guitar, and Jim Kerr’s vocals all came together in a big, warm texture of sound. “Someone Somewhere in Summertime” is a fine opener and ‘Promised You a Miracle” was a hit. The title song is one of my favorites of the decade.
All the Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes by Pete Townshend – The third solo album from Pete Townshend, while a bit uneven, is a much better album than The Who’s It’s Hard which came out three months later. “The Sea Refuses No River” is a soaring ballad with Pete delivering his most vulnerable vocals. “Slit Skirts” is among the best songs of his career (and I know that’s saying a lot). The rousing chorus is a rock n’ roll anthem.
Trivia: What album released in 1982 is still the best-selling album of all time?
Answer: Thriller by Michael Jackson (70 million sold, about a year on the charts as #1, 8 Grammy Awards, and seven top 10 singles).
Comments
2 responses to “Ten Albums from 1982 That Still Sound Good 40 Years Later”
Nice list! I still listen to a few of these, and will plan to revisit a few and check out some others for the first time – I know that Simple Minds charted well and was highly regard, I’ll have to check it out.
I was a big Furs fan, and love the first 3 albums, with Forever Now definitely being the highlight.
If you would have asked me 20 years ago what my favorite X album was, it would have been Wild Gift, no hesitation. These days … it’s a tough call between Wild Gift and Under the Big Black Sun. Two really fantastic albums. The debut is great as well, but I just don’t feel it has aged as well, just a little too raw. Loved it back in the day, but it doesn’t get played these days like Wild Gift and Big Black Sun.
I’m a Cure “greatest hits” fan. At their best, they’re incredible. I’m not really a Cure album guy. That said, I’ll need to go listen to Pornography again. Most of the time when I want to listen to the Cure I either pick-n-choose my favorites, or I put on Disintegration.
I did a quick scan of this list for candidates: http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2013/05/01/best-albums-of-1982/
I would have XTC English Settlement on my list – at the time of Drums and Wires/Black Sea/English Settlement, they were my favorite band. I was fortunate to see them twice before they stopped touring.
Combat Rock would be in my top 10 as well, and maybe Midnight Oil’s 10,9,8,7,… Special Beat Service and The Jam’s “The Gift” would be considered — I was a huge Jam fan, but that album was a disappointment to me when it came out compared to their earlier work.
Some day I need to explore Siouxsie and the Banshees, I just completely missed them back in the day. Anybody have recommendations for where to start?
Brian, thanks for your comments! Love it! I’ll have to check out XTC’s English Settlement for I really like Drums and Wires and Black Sea. I almost included Combat Rock; maybe should have had a tie for 10th. I love Midnight Oil. My 10,9,8,7..LP has ’83 and ’82 release dates on it, so I guess I’ll include that in next year’s 40-year look back. English Beat’s Special Beat Service is a good one. I have all The Jam LPs except their last one, The Gift. It seemed like Paul Weller had other things in mind then as his solo career would soon show us. I didn’t include Siouxsie and the Banshees. A Kiss in the Dreamhouse is their 1982 album. Tinderbox (with “Cities in Dust”), Kaleidoscope (with “Happy House” and “Christine”), and Peepshow (with “The Killing Jar”) are good ones. There’s always the Best-of or Singles collections, too. Thanks again for reading and engaging.