The rise of synthesizers continued to shape the landscape of pop music, gaining dominance and emerging as a potential formula for future success. The Human League maintained their chart-topping presence and received the BRIT Award for Best Breakthrough Act, solidifying their status as pioneers of the synth-pop movement. Inspired by their success, other bands such as Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Soft Cell adopted synthesizers as primary instruments, contributing to the launch of the Second British Invasion in the United States.
This musical invasion introduced new styles, rhythms, and stars to American audiences, with acts like Duran Duran, The Human League, Eurythmics, Billy Idol, and more making a significant impact. However, the era also saw the dissolution of some iconic bands from the late '70s and early '80s, including Blondie, Adam and The Ants, ABBA, and Japan, marking the end of their influential musical journeys.
01. The Cure- Pornography [Fiction]
The Cure released their fourth studio album Pornography in May 1982. It's the Cure's most gothic album, and it represents the conclusion of the musical phase which began with Seventeen Seconds. Pornography charted well in the UK and has gained much more respect over the years, to the point that it is now considered "one of the key gothic rock albums" of all time. The album featured the hit single "One Hundred Years" which was released in July 1982. Pornography was remastered by Chris Blair at Abbey Road Studios and reissued in the UK on 25 April 2005 (26th in the US) as part of Universal's Deluxe Edition series.
02. Simple Minds-New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) [Virgin]
Simple Minds released their fifth studio album, New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) in September 1982. It was a turning point for the band as they gained critical and commercial success in the UK and Europe. The album entered the UK charts at No.3 and in the US, A&M issued some limited edition gold marble vinyl pressings of the album. The album was produced by Peter Walsh and it was issued by Virgin Records. Several songs from the album were released as singles, including "Promised You A Miracle", "Glittering Prize" and "Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)". The album has generated substantial critical acclaim since its release; it was included in the list 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. New Gold Dream... was reissued by Virgin in 2002/03.
03. Duran Duran-Rio [EMI / Capitol]
Rio was the second album by Duran Duran released in May 1982. The album
was produced by Colin Thurston and it reached No.2 in the UK and No.1 in
Australia. The album was re-released in the United States in November
1982. It earned a Gold disc on 1. March 1983, and went Platinum on 26
April 1983, eventually reaching Double Platinum status. It peaked at
number six on the Billboard 200 album chart in the US on 12 March 1983,
and remained on the chart for 129 weeks. The album featured the hit
singles: "Rio", "My Own Way", "Hungry Like A Wolf" and "Save A Prayer". Rio was remastered several times from 1993 to 2009.
04. ABC-The Lexicon of Love [Vertigo/ Mercury]
The Lexicon of Love was the debut album for ABC which was released in
June 1982. The concept of the album was that the singer experiences
heartache as he tries and fails to have a meaningful relationship. The
album was produced by Trevor Horn and Steve Brown and engineered by Gary
Langan. "Tears Are Not Enough", "All of My Heart", "Poison Arrow", and
"The Look of Love (Part One)" were all Top 20 hits in the UK; the last
two also charted in the US, peaking at No.25 and No.14 respectively. The
album reached No.1 on the British charts, and peaked at No. 4 in the U.S.
charts. In 2004, a deluxe 2-disc reissue including outtakes and early
demos and a live performance of the album from 1982 was released on the
Neutron label.
05. Yaz(oo)- Upstairs at Eric's [Mute]
Following Vince Clark's departure from Depeche Mode he teamed up with
Alison Moyet and formed Yaz(oo). They released their debut album Upstairs
at Eric's in August 1982 and it was produced by the band, E.C. Radcliffe
with assistance from Daniel Miller. The album was released on Mute, and it reached No.2 in the UK Albums Chart and No.92 in the US Billboard 200.
The album contained two hit singles, "Only You" and "Don't Go", both released in 1982 and reaching
the top ten in The UK. Upstairs at Eric's has been reissued and
remastered in 2008 via Mute.
06. Michael Jackson - Thriller [Epic Records]
Thriller is the sixth studio album by American singer Michael Jackson, released on November 30, 1982 by Epic Records. With the ongoing backlash against disco, Jackson moved in a new musical direction, incorporating pop, post-disco, R&B, rock and funk for which he reunited with the producer Quincy Jones. Thriller became Jackson's first number one album on the Billboard 200 which produced seven Top 10 singles including :"The Girl Is Mine", "Billie Jean", "Beat It", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' ","Thriller". Thriller has remained a global cultural multi-media phenomenon for both the 20th and the 21st centuries, smashing musical barriers and changing the frontiers of pop forever.
07. Siouxsie and the Banshees- A Kiss in the Dreamhouse [Polydor / Warner Bros]
Siouxsie and the Banshees released their fifth studio album, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse in November 1982. The album was issued by Polydor in the UK and by Warner Bros in the USA. It peaked on the UK Albums Chart at No.11 and the Banshees claimed it to be their personal best, until the release of Peepshow in 1988. The album featured the singles "Slowdive" and "Melt", both released during 1982. It was reissued, remastered, and expanded in 2009. Mojo magazine pronounced it the best album of the year 1982.
08. The Clash – Combat Rock [CBS Records]
Combat Rock is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Clash. It was released on 14 May 1982 through CBS Records. This is the group's best-selling album, being certified double platinum in the United States. It contains two of the Clash's most popular songs, the singles "Rock the Casbah" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go". Combat Rock is the last Clash album featuring the classic lineup. In January 2000, the album, along with the rest of The Clash's catalogue, was remastered and re-released.
09. Depeche Mode- A Broken Frame [Mute]
Depeche Mode released their second studio album A Broken Frame in September 1982. The album was written entirely by Martin Gore and recorded after the departure of Vince Clarke. It was produced by Daniel Miller and Depeche Mode, and it was released by Mute. The album featured the singles "The Meaning of Love", "See You" and "Leave in Silence", but none of the singles had long-term success compared to most of Depeche Mode's other albums' singles. A Broken Frame has been considered by the fans as one of the worst Depeche Mode albums, but still it managed to reach the top ten in our countdown, 30 years after. It was reissued in 2006 with a bonus DVD.
10. Roxy Music- Avalon [E'G]
Roxy Music released their eight studio album Avalon in May 1982. It was a huge commercial success, hitting No.1 in the UK (for 3 weeks) and staying on the album charts for over a year, and it is the only Roxy Music album which went platinum in the USA. The album featured the hit singles "More Than This", "Avalon" and "Take A Chance With Me". Avalon was reissued several times from 1984 to 2000.
11. The Associates- Sulk [WEA / Sire]
12. Ultravox- Quartet
13. Kate Bush- The Dreaming[EMI]
14. Berlin - Pleasure Victim [Geffen]
15. Visage- The Anvil [Polydor]
16. Laurie Anderson - Big Science [Warner Bros]
17. A Flock of Seagulls- A Flock of Seagulls [Jive]
18. Prince - 1999 [Warner Bros]
19. Thomas Dolby- The Golden Age of Wireless [Venice in Peril]
20. Gang of Four- Songs of The Free [Warner Bros Records]
21. Talk Talk- The Party's Over [EMI]
22. Blancmange- Happy Families [London Records]
23. XTC- English Settlement [Virgin]
24. Kim Wilde- Select [RAK]
25. The Psychedelic Furs- Forever Now [CBS Records]
07. Siouxsie and the Banshees- A Kiss in the Dreamhouse [Polydor / Warner Bros]
Siouxsie and the Banshees released their fifth studio album, A Kiss in the Dreamhouse in November 1982. The album was issued by Polydor in the UK and by Warner Bros in the USA. It peaked on the UK Albums Chart at No.11 and the Banshees claimed it to be their personal best, until the release of Peepshow in 1988. The album featured the singles "Slowdive" and "Melt", both released during 1982. It was reissued, remastered, and expanded in 2009. Mojo magazine pronounced it the best album of the year 1982.
08. The Clash – Combat Rock [CBS Records]
Combat Rock is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Clash. It was released on 14 May 1982 through CBS Records. This is the group's best-selling album, being certified double platinum in the United States. It contains two of the Clash's most popular songs, the singles "Rock the Casbah" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go". Combat Rock is the last Clash album featuring the classic lineup. In January 2000, the album, along with the rest of The Clash's catalogue, was remastered and re-released.
09. Depeche Mode- A Broken Frame [Mute]
Depeche Mode released their second studio album A Broken Frame in September 1982. The album was written entirely by Martin Gore and recorded after the departure of Vince Clarke. It was produced by Daniel Miller and Depeche Mode, and it was released by Mute. The album featured the singles "The Meaning of Love", "See You" and "Leave in Silence", but none of the singles had long-term success compared to most of Depeche Mode's other albums' singles. A Broken Frame has been considered by the fans as one of the worst Depeche Mode albums, but still it managed to reach the top ten in our countdown, 30 years after. It was reissued in 2006 with a bonus DVD.
10. Roxy Music- Avalon [E'G]
Roxy Music released their eight studio album Avalon in May 1982. It was a huge commercial success, hitting No.1 in the UK (for 3 weeks) and staying on the album charts for over a year, and it is the only Roxy Music album which went platinum in the USA. The album featured the hit singles "More Than This", "Avalon" and "Take A Chance With Me". Avalon was reissued several times from 1984 to 2000.
11. The Associates- Sulk [WEA / Sire]
12. Ultravox- Quartet
13. Kate Bush- The Dreaming[EMI]
14. Berlin - Pleasure Victim [Geffen]
15. Visage- The Anvil [Polydor]
16. Laurie Anderson - Big Science [Warner Bros]
17. A Flock of Seagulls- A Flock of Seagulls [Jive]
18. Prince - 1999 [Warner Bros]
19. Thomas Dolby- The Golden Age of Wireless [Venice in Peril]
20. Gang of Four- Songs of The Free [Warner Bros Records]
21. Talk Talk- The Party's Over [EMI]
22. Blancmange- Happy Families [London Records]
23. XTC- English Settlement [Virgin]
24. Kim Wilde- Select [RAK]
25. The Psychedelic Furs- Forever Now [CBS Records]