B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1981

Every album of 1981, ranked by B-Side Breakdown: the reviews from 38 outlets we trust, put on one 0–100 scale. An album needs at least 5 reviews to make the list.

Album cover for Wild Gift by XNumber one of 1981XWild Gift97 A+6 critics · 100% approval · Unanimous · A-Side
Average Breakdown85across 1981's albums. That's higher than 98% of the other years here.
Liked92%of 1981's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 49%.
Most divisiveDividedPhil Collins, Face Value split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides33%of 1981's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 6.3%.
  1. 1Album cover for Wild Gift by X
    XWild GiftMay 1981 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    97A+
  2. 2Album cover for My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Brian Eno
    Brian EnoMy Life in the Bush of GhostsFebruary 1, 1981 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    92A-
  3. 3Album cover for Tattoo You by The Rolling Stones
    The Rolling StonesTattoo YouAugust 18, 1981 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  4. 4Album cover for Dare by The Human League
    The Human LeagueDareOctober 16, 1981 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Some debate
    90A-
  5. 5Album cover for Computerwelt by Kraftwerk
    KraftwerkComputerwelt1981 · 10 reviews · 90% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  6. 6Album cover for Damaged by Black Flag
    Black FlagDamagedNovember 16, 1981 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  7. 7Album cover for Nightclubbing by Grace Jones
    Grace JonesNightclubbingMay 4, 1981 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  8. 8Album cover for Controversy by Prince
    PrinceControversyOctober 14, 1981 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Broad agreement
    82B-
  9. 9Album cover for Discipline by King Crimson
    King CrimsonDisciplineSeptember 22, 1981 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  10. 10Album cover for Face Value by Phil Collins
    Phil CollinsFace ValueFebruary 13, 1981 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    80B-
  1. 11Album cover for Faith by The Cure
    The CureFaithApril 11, 1981 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    76C
  2. 12Album cover for Speak & Spell by Depeche Mode
    Depeche ModeSpeak & SpellOctober 5, 1981 · 6 reviews · 50% approval · Some debate
    69D+

Where 1981 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

197883
197985
198081
1981 (this year)85
  1. 1Album cover for My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Brian Eno
    Brian EnoMy Life in the Bush of GhostsFebruary 1, 1981 · 9 reviews · 89% approval · Some debate
    92A-
  2. 2Album cover for Tattoo You by The Rolling Stones
    The Rolling StonesTattoo YouAugust 18, 1981 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    90A-
  3. 3Album cover for Nightclubbing by Grace Jones
    Grace JonesNightclubbingMay 4, 1981 · 8 reviews · 88% approval · Broad agreement
    85B
  4. 4Album cover for Discipline by King Crimson
    King CrimsonDisciplineSeptember 22, 1981 · 8 reviews · 75% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  5. 5Album cover for Face Value by Phil Collins
    Phil CollinsFace ValueFebruary 13, 1981 · 8 reviews · 63% approval · Divided
    80B-
  6. 6Album cover for Faith by The Cure
    The CureFaithApril 11, 1981 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    76C

← 1980 · Every year, back to the 1950s · 1982 →

B-Side Breakdowns home