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501 Essential Albums of the '80s: The Music Fan's Definitive Guide
501 Essential Albums of ’80s is the ultimate curated list detailing dozens of the decade’s most influential releases across all genres, featuring descriptions of the releases, album art, and artist imagery.
- GenresMusicNonfictionHistory
448 pages, Hardcover
Published May 20, 2025
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3004 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 30, 2025
For Your Mixtape Consideration...
I have always been addicted to books like this. They are like an irresistible snack—easy to pick up on a whim and get lost in. You get quick bursts of information, disposable yet somehow vital. These books are wrong when you don’t agree with them– the choices are all subjective and will inevitably spark debate.
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man."
In “501 Essential Albums of the ‘80’s” we have what is labelled a “definitive guide.” Selections are based on artistic and financial merit. There are brief remarks on each album’s contents and full color shots of the album covers. What I miss are the more comprehensive reviews found in past Rolling Stone Guides or Robert Christgau’s Consumer Guides. There are no detailed track listings, either. And where are the sarcastic, snarky remarks?
This is a much more superficial survey of the scene, more of a coffee table item to open up. It is good for what it is, something to supply those nostalgic “Oh, yeah!” moments with the nostalgia sparked by Madonna, Prince, and MTV!
Thank you to Motorbooks and Edelweiss Plus for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have always been addicted to books like this. They are like an irresistible snack—easy to pick up on a whim and get lost in. You get quick bursts of information, disposable yet somehow vital. These books are wrong when you don’t agree with them– the choices are all subjective and will inevitably spark debate.
"Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man."
In “501 Essential Albums of the ‘80’s” we have what is labelled a “definitive guide.” Selections are based on artistic and financial merit. There are brief remarks on each album’s contents and full color shots of the album covers. What I miss are the more comprehensive reviews found in past Rolling Stone Guides or Robert Christgau’s Consumer Guides. There are no detailed track listings, either. And where are the sarcastic, snarky remarks?
This is a much more superficial survey of the scene, more of a coffee table item to open up. It is good for what it is, something to supply those nostalgic “Oh, yeah!” moments with the nostalgia sparked by Madonna, Prince, and MTV!
Thank you to Motorbooks and Edelweiss Plus for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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June 27, 2025Whenever you create books with lists of the top records of any particular decade, there is little question there will be dissension amongst the ranks. The same can be said when people talk about the greatest rock and bands of all times. You can’t make everyone happy all of the time. What Gary Graff attempted to do was create a book where the 501 ESSENTIAL ALBUMS OF THE 80S were featured. Notice that the title does not mention the top or best 501 albums, rather the “Essential” albums. And there is no counting them down from 1 to 501. They are listed by years, of course beginning with 1980.
Although Gary Graff is noted as the “Editor” of the book, nearly two dozen people are listed inside the book as contributors. While I grew up in the 60’s and have a preference for that decade’s music, it was not long before I started going through the 501 albums, and counting the albums that I actually had from the one’s listed. I counted almost 150, which was not a bad collection, and I recognized best sellers and some obscure titles I totally forgot that I had purchased, those becoming records that I played often.
There is little question that the 1980’s saw a lot of breakout bands and singers, some who may have emerged in the 1970’s, but definitely took their talent and record sales to new levels in the succeeding decade. Of course it is impossible to list a significant number of titles here, but let us just say, the book is certainly most comprehensive. All of the albums noted are shown by cover, label, producer, and their date of release. Many of the albums are given full page coverage, while some of the others are lesser notations, but still given enough information about any key aspects of the album and key singles that were released as well from it.
Just a quick listing of some of the bands include: The Buggles, Berlin, Stray Cats, Tom Tom Club, Squeeze, ABC, Men At Work, B52’s, and well let’s stop there, because to list so few may be a disservice to so many. This is really a trip down 80’s memory lane, reminding me why music always mattered, and how the 80’s gave the world a decade of music inspiration and invention, that launched so much of today’s musical trends and styles.
Although Gary Graff is noted as the “Editor” of the book, nearly two dozen people are listed inside the book as contributors. While I grew up in the 60’s and have a preference for that decade’s music, it was not long before I started going through the 501 albums, and counting the albums that I actually had from the one’s listed. I counted almost 150, which was not a bad collection, and I recognized best sellers and some obscure titles I totally forgot that I had purchased, those becoming records that I played often.
There is little question that the 1980’s saw a lot of breakout bands and singers, some who may have emerged in the 1970’s, but definitely took their talent and record sales to new levels in the succeeding decade. Of course it is impossible to list a significant number of titles here, but let us just say, the book is certainly most comprehensive. All of the albums noted are shown by cover, label, producer, and their date of release. Many of the albums are given full page coverage, while some of the others are lesser notations, but still given enough information about any key aspects of the album and key singles that were released as well from it.
Just a quick listing of some of the bands include: The Buggles, Berlin, Stray Cats, Tom Tom Club, Squeeze, ABC, Men At Work, B52’s, and well let’s stop there, because to list so few may be a disservice to so many. This is really a trip down 80’s memory lane, reminding me why music always mattered, and how the 80’s gave the world a decade of music inspiration and invention, that launched so much of today’s musical trends and styles.
May 2, 2025
Choosing an adjective for the title of your list book may not seem like a significant part of the process. “Essential”? “Best”? “Greatest”? What’s the difference?
As the author of 100 Things to Do in Duluth Before You Die I appreciate the passive-aggressive framing of books like 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. You only need to listen to each album once, but…you know, once. Before you die. It’s going to happen. Just saying.
In the title of 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s, though, the adjective really is doing a little work. In an introduction, editor Gary Graff explains the philosophy: “What we looked for and chose were albums that defined the decade.”
While that doesn’t mean — as Graff is quick to point out — each album was a big seller, it does put a finger on the scales in favor of albums that linger in the pop consciousness as redolent of the decade.
I reviewed 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s for The Tangential.
As the author of 100 Things to Do in Duluth Before You Die I appreciate the passive-aggressive framing of books like 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. You only need to listen to each album once, but…you know, once. Before you die. It’s going to happen. Just saying.
In the title of 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s, though, the adjective really is doing a little work. In an introduction, editor Gary Graff explains the philosophy: “What we looked for and chose were albums that defined the decade.”
While that doesn’t mean — as Graff is quick to point out — each album was a big seller, it does put a finger on the scales in favor of albums that linger in the pop consciousness as redolent of the decade.
I reviewed 501 Essential Albums of the ’80s for The Tangential.
June 29, 2025
The latest book to provide an answer to the question, "Hmm, what can I read while I'm sitting on the can?"
Of course, you look through these to gripe about something they missed... here's mine: the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack and True Stories by the Talking Heads.
But they included the Blade Runner soundtrack and Short Sharp Shocked, so there...
Of course, you look through these to gripe about something they missed... here's mine: the Beverly Hills Cop soundtrack and True Stories by the Talking Heads.
But they included the Blade Runner soundtrack and Short Sharp Shocked, so there...
January 14, 2026
What Difference Does It Make podcast chat with Gary Graff. author of 501 Essential Albums of the '80s: The Music Fan's Definitive Guide.
August 12, 2025
essential albums
with inessential reviews
decent bathroom read
with inessential reviews
decent bathroom read
September 23, 2025
Made me realize how much I listen to 80s rather than new music! I’ve always loved any music from the 50s to the 90s, between all those decades, 80s has to be the best.
November 24, 2025
This was a fun read if you are an 80's music fan! it has a lot of interesting information about bands and songs.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews