Best Albums of 1983 & 1984 Read Like a Who's Who of '80s Music... Even Without Thriller

"Without Thriller? Is he kidding? Perhaps the best album in pop history not even on his yearly countdown?"

Pardon me if I attempt to anticipate reader responses to the headline above, but this is as good a time as any to explain myself. In much of the content I've created for this site, I've tried to cover as much ground as possible at all times in recounting the memorable music of the '80s. For that reason, I've prevented, when possible, any of the albums, artists or songs getting several mentions in blogs or lists or other material. So, in my continuing top album lists, you'll probably notice that the records that qualified as my Essential Eight Albums of the '80s will not show up a second time on their corresponding year's list.

OK, with that tedium out of the way, let me point you to my latest album lists, birthed recently for the smashing years 1983 and 1984. Both years featured many classic pop and rock albums, possibly a greater concentration than at any time during the decade. For that reason, perusing the lists will often seem like an '80s all-star team of big names and corresponding personalities. However, don't let that fool you about the quality of the music within.