Say it with me: the the years between 1980 and 1987 sucked musically. Really, really sucked. I cut it off at 1987 because 1988 saw albums like Nothing’s Shocking and Ultramega OK, and in 1989 things really started to turn around. But I digress.
Out of the hundreds of CDs in my apartment, 7 were recorded between 80 and 87. One of those is Madonna‘s Like A Virgin which, I don’t think it needs to be said, belongs to my wife. Another is Exit…Stage Left, a concert album by Rush, which mostly covers music from the 70s (which weren’t nearly as bad, despite the emergence of disco). This leaves just five discs:
- Rush . Moving Pictures (1981)
- Bruce Springsteen . Nebraska (1982)
- The Clash . Combat Rock (1982)
- Stevie Ray Vaughan . Texas Flood (1983)
- The Dead Kennedys . Give Me Convenience Or Give Me Death (1987)
#1 was leftover 70s prog, but it was essential if you were a drummer, especially if you were a Canadian drummer; I was both. #2 was completely different than the typical Springsteen fare, and could have just as easily have been recorded in the 40s. #3…I don’t think I need to this one, but it should be said that it belongs to my wife, which I figure balances out the Madonna. #4 was pure Texas Blues, and as far from the hair bands and synthesizers as one could be at the time. In some ways #5 was the most 80s disc of the five, since it was part of the 80s punk backlash against disco (and thus, shit music in general, including the NKOTB and Tiffany).
It’s time to admit it. There should be no nostalgia for the 80s. It should be a shameful chapter in North American history, like Nixon or McCarthyism, like witch burning or Cop Rock. Time to turn the page.
Skirl | Dan Dickinson 
You goddamn punk.
Okay, I agree that the early 80’s was probably one of the leanest periods of…well, ever, for good music. But there’s much more than you imply.
Talking Heads released Remain in Light, Speaking in Tongues, Stop Making Sense, and Little Creatures from 1980 to 1985.
Duran Duran were really good, catchy, pop, you can’t deny it.
R.E.M. released their first four albums between 1983 and 1986!
XTC bookened your offending period with Black Sea in 1980 and Skylarking in 1986!
Nick Lowe had some good stuff in there.
Although I’ve never personally been a fan, The Smiths made some popular and acclaimed albums in there.
David Bowie released Scary Monsters in 1980, but then slid rapidly down for the next decade.
U2!
Peter Gabriel!
Even Billy Joel’s early-80’s stuff was pretty good.
I hate everything you mentioned except R.E.M. and U2.