1981 Album Releases

1981
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May 1
Kraftwerk - Computer World
Kraftwerk
Computer World
90
critic score
(2)
85
user score
(111)
Nov 13
New Order - Movement
New Order
Movement
83
critic score
(4)
82
user score
(111)
Feb 12
Rush - Moving Pictures
Rush
Moving Pictures
100
critic score
(1)
83
user score
(105)
Apr 11
The Cure - Faith
The Cure
Faith
73
critic score
(3)
80
user score
(103)
Dec 5
Black Flag - Damaged
Black Flag
Damaged
94
critic score
(3)
82
user score
(103)
Sep 22
King Crimson - Discipline
King Crimson
Discipline
90
critic score
(1)
84
user score
(77)
Jan 1
This Heat - Deceit
This Heat
Deceit
90
critic score
(2)
87
user score
(75)
Feb 2
Iron Maiden - Killers
Iron Maiden
Killers
78
critic score
(3)
78
user score
(74)
Oct 14
Prince - Controversy
Prince
Controversy
81
critic score
(5)
81
user score
(72)
Feb 1
David Byrne & Brian Eno - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
David Byrne & Brian Eno
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts
86
critic score
(7)
86
user score
(71)
May 11
Grace Jones - Nightclubbing
Grace Jones
Nightclubbing
90
critic score
(2)
84
user score
(71)
1981
Glenn Branca - The Ascension
Glenn Branca
The Ascension
90
critic score
(3)
86
user score
(61)
Jun 6
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Juju
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Juju
80
critic score
(1)
83
user score
(52)
Jul 4
Mission of Burma - Signals, Calls and Marches
Mission of Burma
Signals, Calls and Marches
94
critic score
(2)
87
user score
(52)
Oct 12
U2 - October
U2
October
65
critic score
(6)
68
user score
(52)
Oct 29
Depeche Mode - Speak & Spell
Depeche Mode
Speak & Spell
68
critic score
(3)
72
user score
(49)
Jun 1
Minor Threat - Minor Threat
Minor Threat
Minor Threat
87
user score
(44)
Aug 24
The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You
The Rolling Stones
Tattoo You
95
critic score
(2)
81
user score
(44)
Oct 2
The Police - Ghost in the Machine
The Police
Ghost in the Machine
75
critic score
(2)
76
user score
(39)
Jun 25
The Replacements - Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
The Replacements
Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
91
critic score
(3)
87
user score
(38)
Jan 1
The Sound - From the Lions Mouth
The Sound
From the Lions Mouth
90
critic score
(1)
86
user score
(37)
Mar 1
Gang of Four - Solid Gold
Gang of Four
Solid Gold
88
critic score
(3)
84
user score
(37)
Oct 16
The Human League - Dare!
The Human League
Dare!
90
critic score
(2)
81
user score
(35)
May 30
Echo & the Bunnymen - Heaven Up Here
Echo & the Bunnymen
Heaven Up Here
85
critic score
(2)
82
user score
(34)
Aug 31
The Gun Club - Fire of Love
The Gun Club
Fire of Love
90
critic score
(1)
83
user score
(33)
Mar 13
Wipers - Youth of America
Wipers
Youth of America
90
critic score
(1)
85
user score
(31)
Nov 4
Black Sabbath - Mob Rules
Black Sabbath
Mob Rules
57
critic score
(3)
74
user score
(31)
Nov 23
AC/DC - For Those About to Rock We Salute You
AC/DC
For Those About to Rock We Salute You
70
critic score
(2)
71
user score
(27)
Nov 27
Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
Soft Cell
Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret
75
critic score
(2)
76
user score
(27)
Nov 30
ABBA - The Visitors
ABBA
The Visitors
60
critic score
(2)
78
user score
(27)
Oct 10
Bauhaus - Mask
Bauhaus
Mask
80
critic score
(1)
78
user score
(26)
Jul 27
Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
Stevie Nicks
Bella Donna
83
critic score
(2)
79
user score
(25)
Apr 10
Public Image Ltd. - The Flowers of Romance
Public Image Ltd.
The Flowers of Romance
78
critic score
(3)
81
user score
(23)
Nov 8
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark - Architecture & Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Architecture & Morality
89
critic score
(2)
84
user score
(22)
Jun 8
The Go-Go's - Beauty and the Beat
The Go-Go's
Beauty and the Beat
83
critic score
(3)
78
user score
(21)
Jun 15
Duran Duran - Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran
80
critic score
(1)
73
user score
(21)
Aug 10
Bob Dylan - Shot of Love
Bob Dylan
Shot of Love
49
critic score
(3)
49
user score
(21)
Sep 14
Genesis - Abacab
Genesis
Abacab
67
critic score
(3)
65
user score
(21)
May 1
Adolescents - Adolescents
Adolescents
Adolescents
90
critic score
(1)
82
user score
(20)
1981
Nico - Drama of Exile
Nico
Drama of Exile
60
critic score
(1)
74
user score
(19)
Jan 1
Television Personalities - ...And Don't the Kids Just Love It
Television Personalities
...And Don't the Kids Just Love It
85
critic score
(2)
80
user score
(19)
Apr 6
The Birthday Party - Prayers on Fire
The Birthday Party
Prayers on Fire
80
critic score
(1)
79
user score
(19)
Oct 8
Joy Division - Still
Joy Division
Still
81
critic score
(3)
81
user score
(19)
Nov 13
Japan - Tin Drum
Japan
Tin Drum
90
critic score
(1)
83
user score
(19)
Jan 1
The Raincoats - Odyshape
The Raincoats
Odyshape
80
critic score
(2)
82
user score
(18)
Jul 1
Electric Light Orchestra - Time
Electric Light Orchestra
Time
57
critic score
(3)
79
user score
(18)
Nov
The Durutti Column - LC
The Durutti Column
LC
80
critic score
(1)
80
user score
(18)
Nov 7
Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman
Ozzy Osbourne
Diary of a Madman
75
critic score
(2)
79
user score
(18)
Nov 2
Queen - Greatest Hits
Queen
Greatest Hits
90
critic score
(1)
81
user score
(17)
Jul 20
Ramones - Pleasant Dreams
Ramones
Pleasant Dreams
70
critic score
(2)
78
user score
(16)
Nov 9
Men At Work - Business as Usual
Men At Work
Business as Usual
85
critic score
(2)
81
user score
(16)
Feb 9
Phil Collins - Face Value
Phil Collins
Face Value
80
critic score
(2)
72
user score
(15)
Feb 17
Judas Priest - Point of Entry
Judas Priest
Point of Entry
70
critic score
(1)
59
user score
(15)
Apr 7
Rick James - Street Songs
Rick James
Street Songs
100
critic score
(1)
79
user score
(15)
Jun 21
Kate Bush - Sat in Your Lap
Kate Bush
Sat in Your Lap
92
user score
(15)
Nov 1
Minutemen - The Punch Line
Minutemen
The Punch Line
60
critic score
(1)
70
user score
(15)
Jun 23
Tom Tom Club - Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
80
critic score
(1)
76
user score
(14)
Nov 1
Dead Kennedys - In God We Trust, Inc.
Dead Kennedys
In God We Trust, Inc.
70
critic score
(2)
82
user score
(14)
Nov 21
Yellow Magic Orchestra - Technodelic
Yellow Magic Orchestra
Technodelic
80
critic score
(1)
78
user score
(14)
Dec 1
Minor Threat - In My Eyes
Minor Threat
In My Eyes
80
user score
(14)
1981
Crass - Penis Envy
Crass
Penis Envy
90
critic score
(1)
82
user score
(13)
Jun 6
The Psychedelic Furs - Talk Talk Talk
The Psychedelic Furs
Talk Talk Talk
85
critic score
(2)
82
user score
(13)
Nov
Agent Orange - Living in Darkness
Agent Orange
Living in Darkness
90
critic score
(1)
87
user score
(13)
Apr 27
The Fall - Slates
The Fall
Slates
80
critic score
(1)
77
user score
(12)
1981
Klaus Nomi - Klaus Nomi
Klaus Nomi
Klaus Nomi
90
critic score
(1)
81
user score
(11)
1981
Massacre - Killing Time
Massacre
Killing Time
90
critic score
(1)
65
user score
(11)
Mar 16
The Who - Face Dances
The Who
Face Dances
60
critic score
(2)
59
user score
(11)
Mar 21
Yellow Magic Orchestra - BGM
Yellow Magic Orchestra
BGM
60
critic score
(1)
83
user score
(11)
May
The Cramps - Psychedelic Jungle
The Cramps
Psychedelic Jungle
80
critic score
(1)
78
user score
(11)
May 1
X - Wild Gift
X
Wild Gift
95
critic score
(2)
79
user score
(11)
Nov 10
Mötley Crüe - Too Fast for Love
Mötley Crüe
Too Fast for Love
80
critic score
(1)
68
user score
(11)
Dec 1
Venom - Welcome to Hell
Venom
Welcome to Hell
90
critic score
(1)
81
user score
(11)
1981
Suburban Lawns - Suburban Lawns
Suburban Lawns
Suburban Lawns
83
user score
(10)
Jan 1
The dB's - Stands for Decibels
The dB's
Stands for Decibels
90
critic score
(1)
78
user score
(10)
Jan 23
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Trust
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Trust
93
critic score
(3)
85
user score
(10)
Nov 2
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Re-ac-tor
Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Re-ac-tor
54
critic score
(2)
59
user score
(10)
1981
Keiji Haino - わたしだけ？
Keiji Haino
わたしだけ？
83
user score
(9)
1981
Meredith Monk - Dolmen Music
Meredith Monk
Dolmen Music
40
critic score
(1)
79
user score
(9)
1981
Au Pairs - Playing With a Different Sex
Au Pairs
Playing With a Different Sex
83
user score
(9)
Jul 1
Miles Davis - The Man with the Horn
Miles Davis
The Man with the Horn
50
critic score
(1)
63
user score
(9)
Oct 13
Olivia Newton-John - Physical
Olivia Newton-John
Physical
90
critic score
(1)
80
user score
(9)
Jan 15
Marvin Gaye - In Our Lifetime
Marvin Gaye
In Our Lifetime
80
critic score
(1)
79
user score
(8)
Apr 29
Van Halen - Fair Warning
Van Halen
Fair Warning
65
critic score
(2)
74
user score
(8)
Jun 25
Phew - Phew
Phew
Phew
90
critic score
(1)
80
user score
(8)
Jul 31
Journey - Escape
Journey
Escape
65
critic score
(2)
62
user score
(8)
Sep 11
Ultravox - Rage in Eden
Ultravox
Rage in Eden
70
critic score
(1)
69
user score
(8)
Sep 16
Devo - New Traditionalists
Devo
New Traditionalists
50
critic score
(2)
69
user score
(8)
Oct 5
Einstürzende Neubauten - Kollaps
Einstürzende Neubauten
Kollaps
80
critic score
(1)
70
user score
(8)
1981
T.S.O.L. - Dance with Me
T.S.O.L.
Dance with Me
80
critic score
(1)
79
user score
(7)
Jan 1
Lizzy Mercier Descloux - Mambo Nassau
Lizzy Mercier Descloux
Mambo Nassau
90
critic score
(1)
70
user score
(7)
Feb 2
Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime
Talking Heads
Once in a Lifetime
97
user score
(7)
Mar 21
Eiichi Ohtaki - A Long Vacation
Eiichi Ohtaki
A Long Vacation
84
user score
(7)
Apr
The Exploited - Punk's Not Dead
The Exploited
Punk's Not Dead
60
critic score
(1)
74
user score
(7)
May 1
Akiko Yano - Tadaima
Akiko Yano
Tadaima
82
user score
(7)
Jun 8
Yoko Ono - Season of Glass
Yoko Ono
Season of Glass
82
critic score
(3)
79
user score
(7)
Jun 12
Black Flag - Six Pack
Black Flag
Six Pack
80
critic score
(1)
69
user score
(7)
Jul 1
Blue Öyster Cult - Fire of Unknown Origin
Blue Öyster Cult
Fire of Unknown Origin
80
critic score
(1)
84
user score
(7)
Jul 11
Def Leppard - High 'n' Dry
Def Leppard
High 'n' Dry
75
critic score
(2)
66
user score
(7)
Aug 21
The Comsat Angels - Sleep No More
The Comsat Angels
Sleep No More
90
critic score
(1)
91
user score
(7)
Sep 1
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Private Eyes
Daryl Hall & John Oates
Private Eyes
85
critic score
(2)
70
user score
(7)
Sep 23
Frank Zappa - You Are What You Is
Frank Zappa
You Are What You Is
75
critic score
(2)
69
user score
(7)
Nov 6
The Cars - Shake It Up
The Cars
Shake It Up
73
critic score
(3)
71
user score
(7)
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