Albums
Songs
Critics
Users

Best Albums of 1981 by User Score

1980s
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989

152.

The Teardrop Explodes - Wilder
November 25, 1981
Post-Punk, Neo-Psychedelia
USER SCORE
77
35 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

154.

Scientist - Scientific Dub
April 27, 1981
Dub
USER SCORE
77
30 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

155.

Rip Rig + Panic - God
September 3, 1981
Post-Punk, Art Punk, Experimental Rock
USER SCORE
77
33 ratings
Amazon

156.

Tygers Of Pan Tang - Spellbound
April 10, 1981
Heavy Metal, NWOBHM
USER SCORE
77
45 ratings
Amazon
Music

159.

The Residents - Mark of The Mole
September 15, 1981
Experimental, Minimal Synth
USER SCORE
77
68 ratings
Amazon
Spotify

162.

ABBA - The Visitors
November 30, 1981
Europop
USER SCORE
77
690 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

163.

ESG - ESG
March 16, 1981
Dance-Punk
USER SCORE
77
32 ratings
Amazon

164.

Men At Work - Business as Usual
November 9, 1981
New Wave, Pop Rock
USER SCORE
77
776 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

166.

The Undertones - Positive Touch
May 5, 1981
Power Pop
USER SCORE
77
18 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

169.

Earth, Wind & Fire - Raise!
November 14, 1981
Synth Funk
USER SCORE
77
279 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

170.

December 5, 1981
Hardcore Punk
USER SCORE
77
1,795 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

171.

吉田美奈子 [Minako Yoshida] - Monsters in Town
November 21, 1981
USER SCORE
77
18 ratings
Amazon
Music

172.

April Wine - The Nature of the Beast
January 12, 1981
USER SCORE
77
26 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

173.

Iron Maiden - Killers
February 2, 1981
NWOBHM, Heavy Metal
USER SCORE
77
1,636 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify

174.

Rickie Lee Jones - Pirates
July 15, 1981
Singer-Songwriter, Jazz Pop
USER SCORE
77
50 ratings
Amazon
Music
Spotify
1
...
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
...
18
Releases must have 15 ratings to chart. Last updated 1d ago.
Create an account to have a say in this list.
You May Also Like
All 1981 Releases
Become a Subscriber
Subscriber badge, no ads + more benefits.
Critic Score
User Score
Advertisement
Hide Ads
Recent Best Music
View More
At The Gates - The Ghost of a Future Dead
Jeff Parker - Happy Today
Elder - Through Zero
August Burns Red - Season of Surrender
Aldous Harding - Train on the Island
Iceage - For Love of Grace & The Hereafter
Evanescence - Sanctuary
SLIFT - Fantasia
Marisa Anderson - The Anthology of UnAmerican Folk Music

June Playlist
ALBUMS
Highest Rated
Must Hear Albums
Year End Lists
New Releases
ARTISTS
Highest Rated
Random
GENRE
Overview
Indie Rock
Electronic
Hip Hop
Folk
Indie Pop
MORE
On This Day
Newsworthy
User Updates
Site Updates
SITE DETAILS
FAQ
Changelog
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Advertising
Contact Us
Subscribe
© 2026 Album of the Year