BEST OF 1981 (IMHO)

[Niels (Mod)]

I've said it before, but in my opinon, 1981 was a GREAT year to buy "new" records, because so many of the albums, that was released that year, are still some of the best rock-albums ever released. And there were so many, that I have to appologize in advance, because I have 11 numbers on my list, even though it has to be 10, but I PROMISE, it won't happen again in the future, but this time, there were no other way for me. All of these records mean so much to me!! 8 of the 11 albums, I bought around the time, they were released, so I've lived with these albums since I was 16 years old. I've heard before, that the music you listen to when you're around 14-16 years old, you will allways tressure. It's true in my case.   

These are the tracks that I have choosen from my favorite 1981-albums:

1. Can't happen here - RAINBOW (Album - Difficult to cure)

2. Mirror, Mirror (Look into my eyes) - DEF LEPPARD (Album - High'n'Dry)

3. Voodoo - BLACK SABBATH (Album - Mob Rules)

4. Diary of a Madman - OZZY OSBOURNE (Album - Diary of a Madman)

5. Outlaw - RIOT (Album - Fire Down Under) 

6. With a shout - U2 (Album - October)

7. Murders in the Rue Morgue - IRON MAIDEN (Album - Killers)

8. Witch Hunt - RUSH (Album - Moving pictures)

9. I'm gonna win - FOREIGNER (Album - 4)

10. Dirty Movies - VAN HALEN (Album - Fair Warning)

11. On the run - JUDAS PRIEST (Album - Point of entry)

I hope you will take a listen to my list here:  

http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/0673d2741ffa1...    

[RJhog (Admin)]

This looks really cool Niels. I remember 1981 in music as well. And I agree, it was a fantastic year. I was 15 and UGA had just won the National Championship. My acne wasn't the worst in the world, but my hair probably was. But the music, oh the music.

I'm listening to this as soon as I finish writing this comment, but I have a question. Is the author cool with folks posting what their own personal list would be?

Either way, I'll post comments on the individual songs shortly.

[Niels (Mod)]

Absolutely! Just post your own personal list.

By the way I sort of made a little "mistake: It was only meant to be a playlist of different songs from my list of favorite albums from '81, and that means, it's in NO order what so ever. IF I had made it in order, so the best album would be nr. 1 and the LEAST best album nr. 10, it would probably be something like this:

1. High'N'Dry
2. Fire Down Under
3. Fair Warning
4. Killers
5. Point of entry
6. October
7. Diary of a Madman
8. Moving Pictures
9. Mob Rules
10. Difficult to cure
11. "4"

[RJhog (Admin)]

Here's my critique:

Rainbow - This is just okay to me. Not bad, but it doesn't make me wanna go out and buy Rainbow.

Def Leppard - Outstanding choice. This is a great song that I only discovered in the last year or two. I didn't get into DL until Pyromania, so I missed this until recently. I would put this on my 1981 list as well.

Black Sabbath - I like this too. I have this album, but I've never really listened to it.

Ozzy - Why do I sense a connection with 3 of the first 4 songs? Anyway, another song I've never heard (I have heard of it). I like it. I think it's a good choice. I need to explore Ozzy's early solo work.

Riot - Well, I have heard this now. Thanks to last weeks AOTW by Niels. I think it's a pretty good song.

U2 - This is just okay. It definitely has that vintage U2 sound, so it gets credit there.

Iron Maiden - I've never heard this song, but it is killer (no pun intended). One thing that's always kept me from giving IM more attention is my percieved notion of their vocal style. I do know they've had more than one vocalist. Can you tell me who this is. I like the vocals here a lot. Outstanding choice.

Rush - I don't really care for this. But something else from this album would make my list.

Foreigner - This song is just okay. But I love the album. I'll pick something different from this album for my list as well.

Van Halen - Possibly my favorite song from Fair Warning. This is a great pick, a great hidden gem, and I'll put it on my list too.

Judas Priest - Never have cared for JP. This song doesn't change my opinion.

[RJhog (Admin)]

and here's my list:

1. Saga - On The Loose (Worlds Apart)

2. Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl (Working Class Dog)

3. Rush - Tom Sawyer (Moving Pictures)

4. Jefferson Starship - Stranger (Modern Times)

5. Foreigner - Urgent (4)

6. Little River Band - Take It Easy On Me (Time Exposure)

7. .38 Special - Wild-Eyed Southern Boys (Wild-Eyed Southern Boys)

8. Journey - Still They Ride (Escape)

9. Def Leppard - Mirror Mirror (Look Into My Eyes) (High 'n' Dry)

10. Van Halen - Dirty Movies (Fair Warning)

11. Loverboy - Take Me To The Top (Get Lucky)

See how difficult this is. To make a list of only 10 (11 in this case) leaves so many great songs out.

I enjoyed listening to your post Niels...good job!

[Niels (Mod)]

I DID pick some different tracks from some of the albums, than I would have done, if it had to be the BEST tracks on the albums, fx. then it would had been "I surrender" from Difficult to cure, "Tom Sawyer" from Moving Pictures and "Heading out the Highway" from Point of Entry , but it was only surposed to be examples from the albums, and it IS some of my favorite tracks from the albums, but not THE best.

The Iron Maiden-singer is Paul D'ianno, and he was the singer on the first two albums, and then he got sacked. I still think, that the first two albums are the best, because it's not just Heavy Metal, like Number of the Beast, it has a "punky" feeling as well, and I DO prefer D'ianno's voice to Bruce Dickinson, who is a MUCH better frontman.

I think you SHOULD check out some Judas Priest, RJhog. Maybe I should make a IMHO Judas Priest-list? I think I'll do that, next time around.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'll certainly listen to it. I do think You've Got Another Thing Coming is an awesome song, and I like Living After Midnight as well.

[Niels (Mod)]

Don't expect them to be on the list, because they are not among my 10 favorite JP-tracks. But I'll promise I won't put "On the run" on the list either.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Look at the bright side...at least you won't have to read what I think should be on the list since I only like two songs....

[Jon]

Yeah, no kidding. And breaking the "list 10" rule. Nice job!

[Jon]

Nice picks Niels! However, if it was me and if I was allowed to make a substitution, I would take off U2 and add MSG, either "On And On" or "Attack Of The Mad Axeman". But, it's your list!

[Scott]

Im gonna have to agree with Jon. Nice List, nicer without U2. For the record, Ive always liked Point of Entry from Priest, it gets critically panned, but its got some classics on it, I would swap On The Run for Desert Plains though.

[Niels (Mod)]

I somewhat agree, Scott, NOT about U2 because I will never grow tired of that album, and IMHO it's maybe U2's best album, well maybe it's "Joshua Tree". No, I agree, that Point of entry is a great JP-album, with a lot of gems, and I probably picked the "wrong" track, but I did it, because it WAS my favorite track at the time (in 1981).