Early or late 80's music..what do you prefer?

[TheWhalerfan]

While on work practicum this past week I got into a great discussion regarding music from the 80's. When talking about the decade, I have always divided it into two parts, as I find the late 80's so different from the early 80's. The early part gave us some of the best rock albums ever..especially from 1982 to 1984 when great titles were coming out non stop. Everyone seemed to rock a little harder then, with less annoying keyboards and much less hairspray. Once the synth bug hit around 1986, it all started to change.

Overall I prefer from 1980 to 85. Which half of the decade do you people like and why? Do you agree or disagree with my division of the decade?

 

[TheFeldster]

Hmm, tough question. I guess, my favourite recordings from the 80's would be Volume 1 - Traveling Wilburys and Cloud Nine - George Harrison.

But in terms of actual 80's artists, and not older musicians coming back into prominence, I'd go with the early stuff. One of my favourite typical "80's" tunes is "Footloose" (1984) and I can't stand George Michael/Wham! sorta stuff (sorry Harmony so I'll go first half I guess.

 

[That 70s Guy]

Late 80s when rock ruled the world!

 

[LG]

Personally I love keyboards in my music doesn't matter what genre either, there are so many more dominant guitar driven bands I always felt they added to the overall sound and didn't take anything away.

Based on the albums in the library, I would have to go with the first half of the 80's, but I will never subscribe to the old complaint that "the 80's Sucked!", I lived through them and have nothing but fond memories of the time and the music.

 

[Sox]

I bought some great albums and saw some top gigs. I enjoyed both ends of the 80's but at a push probably the earlier to mid years.

 

[Nololob]

Early 80s with the best heavy metal and birth of thrash, death and black metal.

 

[Groovy Man]

Early 80's (to mid-80's) without a doubt. When rock still had some what of an edge.

Personally for me, and many other true rockers, ''rock music'' died in 1985....

others say even earlier...

Mid to late 80's sucked with all the synthesizers, dance pop, MTV, Hair Metal, and the hip hop and rap crap and horrible 80's R&B, and too many lousy power ballads...

I'm not saying all ''hair metal'' sucked, there was a few good hits, but the bulk of it was crap.

Sorry for the strong opinions, but this is how I feel, and I know I'm not alone (well, maybe on this forum...lol)

 

[Magic]

I loved all the 80's! But if I have to choose a dividing line, I would choose the early 80's.


Nantucket
Blackfoot
Journey
Foreigner
April Wine
AC/DC
Van Halen
The Cars
Iron Maiden
Judas Priest


All these bands were putting out Kickass albums in the early 80's.

 

[Lynch]

On the whole, the 80's was my favorite decade of music. Not sure I could choose first 5 years over the last 5 years (or vice versa).

 

[Magic]

I agree, Lynch, it is tough to divide up a decade of music that I truly enjoyed. Rock didn't die in the 80's