I have said many times 80s was the best decade in music. But actually there are some 80s albums that were unlistenable more or less. Still even worst 80s music sounds better than most albums that they are around today.
Well "Worst" might be a wrong word sicne I haven't listened to every 80s album...but still "among the worst" is a sure thing.
1) Air Supply - The One That You Love (1981)
I should mention Air Supply are my most hated 80s band. The shame of Australia literally. They really put in shame other popular Australian artists and bands, like Rick Springfield, INXS or Midnight Oil. I could add all their albums in this list, but it would be unfair, so I will add only one. Totally pathetic and I hardly believe how on earth they managed to score so many Top 10 US hits. Their music is not Soft Rock as it's often mentioned, but lame Balladesque Pop for Eurovision Contests.
2) Bucks Fizz - Bucks Fizz (1981)
Since I mentioned Eurovision Contest...well what did you except from a band they were Eurovision Contest winners? Only "Lady Of The Night" stands out from here. Rest of it is boring.
3) Celine Dion - La Voix Du Bon Dieu (1981)
Just one word. French Pop. And French Teen Pop particularly. I won't say anymore.
4) Laurie Anderson - Big Science (1982)
Experimental Music isn't always bad. But this is just weird. And pretty tendious as well. Never understood people who liked it.
5) Lotus Eaters - No Sense Of Sin (1984)
Apart from "First Picture Of You" which was the lead single, every other song it's totally lame. Glad they remained unknown as a band.
6) The Smiths - The Smiths (1984)
The Smiths had only one good song. "How Soon Is Now?". Everything else is forgettable. This album is just an example, but I believe any of their albums could make it here.
7) Sting - The Dream Of The Blue Turtles (1985)
I don't understand why Sting became so lame after the break-up of The Police. The Police were a fantastic group where they blent New Wave with Punk and Reggae. Sting's solo career is just pathetic. It's just lame Jazz Pop.
8. Supertramp - Brother Where You Bound (1985)
Although the album cover is excellent, the album is very weak. "Breakfast In America" was great. "Famous Last Words" was OK. But this is unlistenable.
9) Crowded House - Crowded House (1986)
Indie Pop. Lame Indie-Pop, a genre which happens to be popular in our days. And Crowded House were way too successful than they should be. Nice album cover though.
10) Communards - Red (1987)
Their first album was just boring. But this is ultra-boring. Only "Tomorrow" stands out by some degree actually. Bronski Beat's second album was better than those 2, even if it wasn't so successful after lead singer Jimmy Somerville left.
11) Living In A Box - Living In A Box (1987)
One good single, "Living In A Box", and 9 fillers. Except the lead single all other songs are forgettable.
12) George Michael - Faith (1987)
Totally lame Soul-Pop. I hardly remember any good song from here. I never understood why when someone goes solo, goes downhill as well.
13) U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)
YES!! Exactly. The most overrated album from the 80s. I don't know how it managed to sell so many copies. Apart from "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." or maybe the passable "With Or Without You", I don't see anything so impressive here. U2 were awesome during their first 2 albums. Their 3rd and 4th albums were good as well. Anything else after that point was lame.
14) Kim Wilde - Close (1988)
Very lame pop. It's a shame since she was a great New Wave artist, and like so many others she turned into lame pop since late 80s.
15) Spandau Ballet - Heart Like A Sky (1989)
I honestly believe there's NO worse album released in the 80s than this. And it's a shame since it's coming from a band which released 4 very good albums in the early 80s. Their 5th album "Through The Barricades" was just average. But this is absolute crap. It seems more like they did it on purpose.
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