4 Addictive 1980s Rock Albums That Were Ahead of Their Time

Most of these groundbreaking rock albums from the 1980s got their flowers, but we think they’re worth revisiting. Let’s dive into four of the most addictive albums from the 80s that were ahead of their time!

1. ‘McCartney II’ by Paul McCartney

It’s not surprising that one of The Beatles’ best songwriters is on our list of 1980s rock albums that were ahead of their time. McCartney didn’t have the easiest time in the 1970s, as he was constantly battling the expectations the world had of him as an independent musician, rather than a member of The Beatles. However, he really changed things around in 1980 when he released McCartney II. 

It was an odd record to experience between punk and new wave albums that dominated the industry, but its oddness is what made it so refreshing. It’s experimental, nostalgic (or primitive, depending on who you ask), and the blueprint for DIY records.

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2. ‘Violent Femmes’ by Violent Femmes

This folk punk outfit’s self-titled debut was a breath of fresh are when it was released in 1983. It’s their most popular release to date, and it was released at a time when punk music was starting to become old news. However, this record managed to take punk and turn it into something different, rather than shy away from it in favor of new wave. 

It’s a humble, messy, earnest, and raw record. Violent Femmes also influenced a new generation of bedroom musicians to put something together, even if they didn’t have all the right equipment or cash to produce something… well, overproduced. To put it simply, they made a DIY alt-rock album about a decade before alt-rock was a thing.

3. ‘Kill ‘Em All’ by Metallica

Metallica deserves a spot on this list for the legendary album that is Kill ‘Em All from 1983. The metal gods’ debut is still considered one of the best metal albums of that era, and it came at a time when metal was overrun with permed hair and pretty boy aesthetics. 

Metallica countered that with the raw rage of Kill ‘Em All. For many fans, it was their first introduction to thrash. And if you’re getting into thrash metal now, you should start with songs like “Seek And Destroy” or “No Remorse.

4. ‘Murmur’ by R.E.M.

Punk was making way for the new wave movement when Murmur by R.E.M. came out in 1983. The whole of the rock genre needed some freshening up, and nobody did that quite like R.E.M. did with this incredible debut record. 

We’d be bold enough to say that this album was the first alt-rock project to really blow up in the early 1980s. It’s a catchy, emotional, and well-produced piece of work. “Radio Free Europe” is essential listening.

Photo by David Harris/Keystone

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