Best of 1983- The Album List

The year 1982 was undeniably dominated by Michael Jackson's groundbreaking album "Thriller," which went on to become the best-selling album of all time. The accompanying music video for the title track presented a significant challenge for MTV airwaves but is now regarded as one of the greatest music videos ever created. Riding on the wave of Michael Jackson's success, other artists achieved notable milestones: David Bowie released "Let's Dance," his most commercially successful album up to that point. On the female front, both Madonna and Cyndi Lauper made their debut appearances, exploring unconventional and unique styles. Kim Wilde received recognition by winning the Brit Award for Best British Female Artist.

Meanwhile, in 1982, Germany produced the first compact discs, which were initially sold in Japan during the third quarter of the same year. These CDs were later introduced to the U.S. market in 1983, revolutionizing the music industry in the years to come.

As New Wave gradually transitioned into Pop, the decade's most significant stars—Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and George Michael—continued to dominate the charts for the remainder of the '80s and beyond.

 

01. New Order- Power, Corruption & Lies [Factory] 

Power, Corruption & Lies was the second studio album by New Order, released in May 1983 on Factory Records. It was well received back then and even today it is considered as one of the best New order releases. On this album, the sound of New Order has changed in comparison to their debut album Movement which was still overshadowed by the Joy Division influence. In 1989, the album was ranked number 94 on Rolling Stone 's list of the 100 greatest albums of the 1980s, it was ranked at 216 on the NME list of the 500 greatest albums of all time and it was placed at number 28 on Pitchfork Media's list of the best albums of the 1980s. The Album was reissued in 2008.
 

02. Tears for Fears- The Hurting [Mercury] 

The Hurting was the debut album by Tears for Fears released in March 1983. The album featured the hit singles "Mad World", "Change", and "Pale Shelter"– all of which reached the Top 5 in the UK. It also contains a new version of the band's first single, "Suffer the Children", which had originally been released in 1981. In 1999 the album was reissued for the first time and included four remixes as bonus tracks and an extensive booklet which described the recording process of the album. A 30th Anniversary reissue was released on 21. October 2013, in both double CD and deluxe 4-disc boxed set editions.
 

03. Heaven 17- The Luxury Gap [Virgin] 

The Luxury Gap was the second and the best-selling album for Heaven 17 released in 1983 for Virgin Records. The album featured the hit singles "Temptation", "Let me Go" and "Come Live with Me" which brought the band the biggest commercial success. The band performed the album in its entirety on 14 October 2011 at London’s Roundhouse, the first night featured Heaven 17 (Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory) performing the album in 3-D sound developed by Ware himself. It was reissued in 2012 including bonus tracks.



04. OMD- Dazzle Ships [Virgin] 

Dazzle Ships was the third studio release by OMD. It was a follow up to their most successful album Architecture and Morality which turned the OMD sound into a new direction. The album is noted for its highly experimental content, particularly musique concrète sound collages, utilizing shortwave radio recordings to explore Cold War and Eastern Bloc themes. Two singles were released from the album, "Genetic Engineering" and "Telegraph", which achieved moderate chart success in the United Kingdom and on American rock and college radio. Although it was a commercial flop, this album has always been praised by critics and considered as an underrated masterpiece.



05. R.E.M. - Murmur [I.R.S.] 

Murmur is R.E.M.'s debut album that was released in April 1983 by I.R.S. It featured the hit singles "Radio Free Europe" and "Talk About the Passion" and it was kind of making way for the first wave of alternative rock to the states. The album was certified Gold by RIAA in 1991 and it also charted in Pitchfork's Top 100 albums of the 80's at number 5. Universal Music released the 25th anniversary edition of the album which included previously unreleased material.
 

06. Echo and The Bunnymen- Porcupine [Korova / Sire]  

Porcupine was the third studio album by the English post-punk band Echo & the Bunnymen released on 4. February in 1983. It was the band’s highest charting album which even reached the US charts. The album featured the singles "The Cutter" and "The Back of Love". A VHS video called Porcupine – An Atlas Adventure was also released containing six promotional videos of tracks from the album. The album is also listed in the 2006 book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die and it was reissued in 2009 and 2011.



07. Cocteau Twins- Head over Heels [4AD] 

Head over Heels is the second studio album by influential Scottish rock band Cocteau Twins. The album was released in October 1983 by 4AD, and was their first album as a duo of Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie. The album featured the brilliant tune "Sugar Hiccup" which was also the debut single for the band. In 2003, the album was named one of the most eccentric British albums of all time by Mojo magazine. The album was reissued in 2009.



08. David Bowie - Let's Dance [EMI Records] 

Let's Dance is the 15th studio album released by David Bowie in April 1983. It was released through EMI records and co-produced by Nile Rogers of Chic which marks a departure from RCA Records. The album includes Bowie's most commercial singles to date including, "China Girl", "Modern Love" and "Let's Dance". The album was nominated for a Grammy award but lost to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Even today the critics are divided about this album, it certainly is one of his most commercial efforts, but also starts the creative low point of his career which will last at least for a decade.



09. The Chameleons- Script of the Bridge [Statik Records] 

The Chameleons released their debut album Script from the Bridge in August 1983 by Statik which was co-produced by Colin Richardson. Four singles were released to promote the album including "Don't Fall" and "Up the Down Escalator". It is one of the genre defining albums of the early 80's which certainly had a wide impact on the genre. Script from the Bridge was re-engineered and re-released in 2012 by Blue Apple Music.



10. Soft Cell- The Art of Falling Apart [Some Bizzare / Sire]  

The Art of Falling Apart was the third album release for Soft Cell on Some Bizzare/Vertigo. Soft Sell continued their dark voyage through the back alleys of a sleazy city which they started on their debut album, but their sound became gloomier and complex and commercially they could not reach the success of the previous album’s singles. They released ‘Where the Heart is’ and ‘Numbers’. The album was reissued and remastered in 1999.

11. Talking Heads - Speaking in Tongues [Sire]
12. The Police - Synchronicity [A&M]
13. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams Are Made of This [RCA]
14. U2 - War [Island]
15. Yaz(oo) - You and Me Both [ Mute]
16. Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual [Portrait]
17. Depeche Mode - Construction Time Again [Mute]
18. Violent Femmes- Violent Femmes [Rhino Records]
19. The The - Soul Mining [Epic Records]
20. Madonna - Madonna [Sire / Warner Bros]
21. Culture Club- Colour by Numbers [Virgin]
22. Billy Idol - Rebel Yell [Chrysalis]
23. China Crisis- 'Working with Fire and Steel [Virgin]
24. Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger [Capitol]
25. Malcolm McLaren - Duck Rock [Charisma]