Sunday, January 25, 2009

Top ten albums of 1981

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Here are my top ten albums for 1981.

1)Van Halen - Fair Warning
2)Iron Maiden- Killers
3)Ozzy- Diary of a madman
4)Black Sabbath- The Mob Rules
5)Motley Crue-Too fast for love
6)Def Leppard-High and dry
7)Rush-Moving Pictures
8)Hanoi Rocks-Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks
9)Cirith Ungol-Frost and fire
10)Tie: Raven- Rock 'till you drop and Venom- Welcome to hell

In 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.

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10 Comments:

Blogger Metal Mark said...

Forgot to mention that I will have my top ten album list for 1982 out next week.

5:11 AM  
Blogger Sean said...

For me the Van Halen, RUSH, Hanoi Rocks and Raven would be removed from that list.

I'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.

6:35 AM  
Blogger Metal Mark said...

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.

6:45 AM  
Blogger Ray Van Horn, Jr. said...

I 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

7:20 AM  
Blogger Sean said...

I'm just saying that the Sabbath should be in there twice, but only after Killers. :P

Typically 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.

12:57 PM  
Blogger Patrick said...

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.

I'd also add 'Breaker' by Accept.

1:00 PM  
Blogger Patrick said...

BTW - Killers by Maiden is easily my number one on that list.

1:01 PM  
Blogger Sean said...

Yeah, 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.

5:20 AM  
Blogger miracleman12 said...

This 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. : )

8:40 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Riot "Fire Down Under" Saxon "Denim & Leather" should be on there.

5:04 PM  

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