Eight supremely underrated 1980s debut albums

The 1980s were a thrilling decade for music. Synthesizers were on the rise, birthing numerous genres in their wake with some bands proudly displaying their disdain for the then-newfangled instruments.

Other bands opted for a more “classicist” approach with a modern touch, aiming for ‘60s-style pop music that foregrounded melody above all else but with 1980s production flourishes and a “jangle” style that forced the rhythm section into the background.

While many of the best debut albums of the 1980s featured the best opening songs ever in that decade, others have fallen under the radar considerably in the intervening 40ish years. Despite that, they deserve a second look, as some of these albums stand tall among the best of their era. Let’s dive in.

These underrated 1980s debut albums feature top-flight musicianship and terrific songwriting

Of Skins and Heart – The Church – 1981

Australian rock band The Church delivered a terrific clarion call for discerning rock fans in the early ‘80s with their debut album, which is headlined by one of the most unforgettable yet little-known singles of the era: “The Unguarded Moment.”

A thrilling track with an absolute earworm of a guitar part, this track features lovely guitar tones, striking imagery in the lyrics – “tell those friends with cameras for eyes that their hands don’t make me hang” – and powerfully delivered backing vocals that convey the zealous energy that the group contained within their ranks. The group would release better albums, but it’s an auspicious start for these Churchgoers.

Business As Usual – Men At Work – 1981

Perhaps the most commercially successful album on this list is another Australian classic that wears its heritage broadly on its sleeve – thanks to the appearance of one of the best pop hits of the decade on its track list: “Down Under,” a paean to the group’s homeland, replete with references to Vegemite and plenty of Aussie slang.

Featuring two other notable singles, “Who Can It Be Now?” and “Be Good Johnny,” both of which are engaging new wave pop tracks, the album also boasts strong album cuts such as “Underground” and the hypnotically beautiful “I Can See It In Your Eyes.”

The Party’s Over – Talk Talk – 1982

Talk Talk was lumped into the British “new romantic” movement in the early 1980s, and that genre’s sophisticated synth-pop approach is on full display on the group’s debut album, which is thoroughly enjoyable – if a little derivative. The group would reach the zenith of this genre with their 1984 album It’s My Life, which features the legendary title track.

After that album, the group would begin to explore entrancing jazz-inflected grooves that play with metrical complexity and feature ultra-long track lengths on releases such as Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock – something that listeners of this album would have never seen coming. Still though, tracks like the homonymous “Talk Talk” and the moody “Have You Heard The News” mean this album still represents a strong opening salvo from the group.

High Land, Hard Rain – Aztec Camera – 1983

Scottish five-piece Aztec Camera burst onto the scene in 1983 with High Land, Hard Rain, a masterful excursion into modern (for the time) jangle-pop production methods, all highlighting the supreme songwriting talents of frontman and lead singer Roddy Frame – who has one of the best names in pop music.

Opening track “Oblivious” was a notable omission from the best opening songs from debut albums ever, as its buoyant melody, spirited backing vocals and spicy yet repetitive guitar solo make it a forgotten classic from the early-to-mid-1980s. An essential listen that’s replete with pleasant soundscapes and keenly observed lyrics from Frame.

All Over The Place – The Bangles – 1984

While The Bangles would become global megastars after the release of their 1986 album Different Light (which contained megahits “Manic Monday” and “Walk Like An Egyptian”), the group kicked off their career with the well-conceived full-length LP All Over The Place. Featuring a tremendous opening track in the form of “Hero Takes A Fall,” this album introduced the world to the supreme songwriting talents of Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson.

An exceptionally well-realized album that features a bevy of retro-leaning tracks that harken back to the British Invasion of the 1960s, the group’s sound is updated to the 1980s, though their harmonies are on par with any group from the 1960s – or any era for that matter – as evidenced by tracks such as “Live.”

The Dream Academy – The Dream Academy – 1985

Armed with a stable of top-tier dream pop songs and the aid of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour in the producer’s chair, The Dream Academy’s eponymous debut album delivered the goods in 1985 upon release. In particular, the first two tracks, “Life in a Northern Town” and “The Edge of Forever,” are stone-cold classics that sound as fresh and inventive as they must have nearly 40 years ago when they came out.

Beyond those two masterful singles, though, are a bevy of album cuts that are just as enchanting, such as the haunting “In Places on the Run” and final single from the album “The Love Parade,” an intriguing and moody take on the travails of love and relationships.

London 0 Hull 4 – The Housemartins – 1986

A jangle pop classic par excellence, this little-remembered 1980s debut album showcased the terrific songwriting chops of lead singer Paul Heaton, whose semi-nasal lead vocals perfectly suit the material, which is chock-full of tremendous pop numbers such as “Happy Hour” and “Sitting on a Fence.”

The group also delves into moodier material (not to be confused with 1980s Moody Blues material), such as the torch song “Flag Day,” which is led by a gorgeous piano part and features a plaintive minor-key melody that stands as a terrific contrast to the elevated happy-sounding jangle pop found elsewhere on the album. Notably, Housemartins bassist Norman Cook would go on to tremendous success as electronic music superstar Fatboy Slim in the 1990s.

The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses – 1989

An album that set the scene for England’s pop/rock scene of the 1990s, led by the culturally dominant Britpop genre, The Stone Roses hailed from Manchester and delivered groove-laden tracks that also featured tremendous guitar chops from lead guitarist John Squire.

Comfortable with both electronic-leaning dance tracks such as “Fools Gold” as well as epic rock songs like “I Am The Resurrection” alongside more pop-oriented fare such as “(Song for My) Sugar Spun Sister” and “She Bangs the Drums,” The Stone Roses’ eponymous debut album has something for everyone and also boasts one of the best opening songs from a 1980s album with the masterful “I Wanna Be Adored.”

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