B-Side Guys

The Best Albums of 1982

Every album of 1982, 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 Shoot Out the Lights by Richard ThompsonNumber one of 1982Richard ThompsonShoot Out the Lights99 A+5 critics · 100% approval · Unanimous · A-Side
Average Breakdown79across 1982's albums. That's higher than 78% of the other years here.
Liked76%of 1982's albums scored 75 or higher. Across every year it's 50%.
Most divisiveContentiousDead Kennedys, Plastic Surgery Disasters split the critics more than any other album of the year.A-Sides4.8%of 1982's albums earned an A-Side. Across every year it's 5.9%.
  1. 1Album cover for Shoot Out the Lights by Richard Thompson
    Richard ThompsonShoot Out the Lights1982 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    99A+
  2. 2Album cover for 1999 by Prince
    Prince1999October 27, 1982 · 6 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  3. 3Album cover for Album – Generic Flipper by Flipper
    FlipperAlbum – Generic Flipper1982 · 8 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    89B+
  4. 4Album cover for The Blue Mask by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedThe Blue MaskFebruary 1982 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  5. 5Album cover for The Lexicon of Love by ABC
    ABCThe Lexicon of LoveJune 21, 1982 · 10 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  6. 6Album cover for Milo Goes to College by Descendents
    DescendentsMilo Goes to CollegeNovember 15, 1982 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    88B+
  7. 7Album cover for The Nightfly by Donald Fagen
    Donald FagenThe NightflyOctober 1982 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  8. 8Album cover for Avalon by Roxy Music
    Roxy MusicAvalonMay 28, 1982 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  9. 9Album cover for Music for a New Society by John Cale
    John CaleMusic for a New SocietyAugust 1982 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    85B
  10. 10Album cover for Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel
    Peter GabrielPeter GabrielSeptember 5, 1982 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    84B

How 1982 grades

Share of albums at each letter grade. A is 90 and up, F is below 60.

1982

A5%
B57%
C29%
D0%
F10%

Every year

A6%
B25%
C38%
D21%
F10%
  1. 11Album cover for Night and Day by Joe Jackson
    Joe JacksonNight and DayJune 1982 · 7 reviews · 86% approval · Some debate
    82B-
  2. 12Album cover for One from the Heart by Tom Waits
    Tom WaitsOne from the Heart1982 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    82B-
  3. 13Album cover for Love over Gold by Dire Straits
    Dire StraitsLove over GoldSeptember 20, 1982 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  4. 14Album cover for Tug of War by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyTug of WarApril 19, 1982 · 9 reviews · 44% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  5. 15Album cover for Mirage by Fleetwood Mac
    Fleetwood MacMirageJune 28, 1982 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  6. 16Album cover for The Message by Grandmaster Flash
    Grandmaster FlashThe Message1982 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Some debate
    75C
  7. 17Album cover for Plastic Surgery Disasters by Dead Kennedys
    Dead KennedysPlastic Surgery DisastersOctober 1982 · 5 reviews · 60% approval · Contentious
    74C
  8. 18Album cover for Junkyard by The Birthday Party
    The Birthday PartyJunkyardJune 2, 1982 · 5 reviews · 40% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  9. 19Album cover for Hello, I Must Be Going! by Phil Collins
    Phil CollinsHello, I Must Be Going!November 1, 1982 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  10. 20Album cover for Hot Space by Queen
    QueenHot SpaceMay 21, 1982 · 5 reviews · 0% approval · Some debate
    42F
  11. 21Album cover for Gone Troppo by George Harrison
    George HarrisonGone TroppoOctober 27, 1982 · 5 reviews · 0% approval · Some debate
    40F

Where 1982 sits

Average Breakdown, for albums with five or more reviews.

Next to the years around it

197985
198083
1982 (this year)79
198378
198478
  1. 1Album cover for Shoot Out the Lights by Richard Thompson
    Richard ThompsonShoot Out the Lights1982 · 5 reviews · 100% approval · Unanimous
    99A+
  2. 2Album cover for The Blue Mask by Lou Reed
    Lou ReedThe Blue MaskFebruary 1982 · 6 reviews · 83% approval · Some debate
    88B+
  3. 3Album cover for Avalon by Roxy Music
    Roxy MusicAvalonMay 28, 1982 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    86B
  4. 4Album cover for Peter Gabriel by Peter Gabriel
    Peter GabrielPeter GabrielSeptember 5, 1982 · 7 reviews · 100% approval · Broad agreement
    84B
  5. 5Album cover for Love over Gold by Dire Straits
    Dire StraitsLove over GoldSeptember 20, 1982 · 5 reviews · 80% approval · Some debate
    80B-
  6. 6Album cover for Tug of War by Paul McCartney
    Paul McCartneyTug of WarApril 19, 1982 · 9 reviews · 44% approval · Some debate
    77C+
  7. 7Album cover for Mirage by Fleetwood Mac
    Fleetwood MacMirageJune 28, 1982 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Broad agreement
    76C
  8. 8Album cover for Hello, I Must Be Going! by Phil Collins
    Phil CollinsHello, I Must Be Going!November 1, 1982 · 7 reviews · 57% approval · Some debate
    71C-
  9. 9Album cover for Hot Space by Queen
    QueenHot SpaceMay 21, 1982 · 5 reviews · 0% approval · Some debate
    42F
  10. 10Album cover for Gone Troppo by George Harrison
    George HarrisonGone TroppoOctober 27, 1982 · 5 reviews · 0% approval · Some debate
    40F

← 1981 · Every year, back to the 1950s · 1983 →

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