Duran Duran - FIRST
Artist: Duran Duran
Community Score: 8.12

Duran Duran's eponymous debut artfully coalesced the sonic and stylistic elements of the burgeoning new romantic movement they were soon to spearhead: pumping synths, glossy production, and seemingly impossible haircuts. Ultra-smart singles like "Girls on Film" and "Planet Earth" became instant smash hits both in the U.K. and America, and other... Read More

Kids in America
Artist: Kim Wilde
Non-Stop Ecstatic Dancing
Artist: Soft Cell
Community Score: 4.00
This Is the Ice Age
Artist: Martha & the Muffins

It all came together on this album for Martha and the Muffins. Working with a new producer, a young Daniel Lanois, and a new bass player (Daniel's sister, Jocelyne), the band seemed to have the freedom to produce their sound their way. And it worked in a big way. From the first track, the incredible "Swimming," ato the fantastic closer "Three... Read More

Frenzy
Artist: Split Enz
Community Score: 10.00

Although often thought of as a transitional album, Frenzy shows the band in top form. Produced in England on a diminished budget, the album showcases pure pop with a hungry edge. "I See Red," added after the initial pressing, became a moderate hit in Australia and New Zealand, allowing the band the financial freedom to follow up with the... Read More

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Artist: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Community Score: 10.00

OMD's first full album won as much attention for its brilliant die-cut cover -- another example of Peter Saville's cutting-edge way around design -- as for its music, and its music is wonderful. For all that, this is a young band, working for just about the last time with original percussionist Winston; there's both a variety and ambition... Read More

Power, Corruption & Lies
Artist: New Order
Community Score: 8.27

New Order's second album was their giant step out of the looming shadow of Joy Division, clearly establishing their own unique and innovative musical identity. Seamlessly incorporating Gillian Gilbert's lush synth patterns into the mix, Power, Corruption & Lies springs from the propulsive, almost liquid bass of Peter Hook and the increasingly... Read More

Dare!
Artist: The Human League
Community Score: 8.17

Dare! captures a moment in time perfectly -- the moment post-punk's robotic fascination with synthesizers met a clinical Bowiesque infatuation with fashion and modern art, including pop culture, plus a healthy love of songcraft. The Human League had shown much of this on their early singles, such as "The Lebanon," but on Dare! they simply... Read More

Rio
Artist: Duran Duran
Community Score: 9.22

From its Nagel cover to the haircuts and overall design - and first and foremost the music -Rio is as representative of the eighties as it gets, at its best. The original Duran Duran's high point, and just as likely the band's as a whole, its fusion of style and substance ensures that even two decades after its release it remains as listenable... Read More

Enz of an Era
Artist: Split Enz
Community Score: 10.00

A solid collection of the singles from Second Thoughts (1976) to Time and Tide (1982). Although not all of the singles are present, all of the hits from that period are covered. Enz of an Era was originally most notable for inclusion of the rare "Another Great Divide," but it has been superseded by more current (and more easily found)... Read More