Top 10 for 1983

TheBigBlack's Rock Top 10

Pink Floyd
The Final Cut (A Requiem For The Post War Dream)

Classic Rock | Album | 21 March 1983

David Bowie
Let's Dance

Classic Rock | Album | 14 April 1983

Bob Dylan
Infidels

Classic Rock | Album | 1 November 1983

U2
War

Rock | Album | 28 February 1983

ZZ Top
Eliminator

Rock | Album | 23 March 1983

Album #8 for ZZ Top was the one that finally made them a household name. They had been around for close to 15 years at this point, but their southern soaked whiskey blues had never been much more than a slight blip on the radar of the mainstream charts. The band took some chances with the album, most noticeably with the synthesised guitar tones and the lack of the usual boogie blues. It paid off, producing four hit singles. Although some of the production choices are a little dated today, the crisp punchy mix means it still sounds great. 'Gimmie All Your Lovin'' opens with a bang, and although many great rock albums start with a recognisable and legendary guitar riff, very few can say the same about a drum beat. Moving through now-rock classics like 'Got Me Under Pressure' and 'Sharp Dressed Man', the album still demonstrates the ZZ style well, even if it is a little more. 'new wave' than previous albums. Most songs are also quite obviously faster in tempo than their older works, probably yet another move to get radio play. Although the second side still had some great tunes, the album definitely suffers from front-loading, with all its best (and most modern sounding) tracks up front. This is not say the second half isn't worth listening to, but the tracks certainly feel more like a throwback to the band's earlier sound. The Top continued down the synthesised trail for a couple more albums until they had done all they could with the sound, returning to their more traditional blues style in the early 1990s.

Motley Crue
Shout At The Devil

Hard Rock | Album | 26 September 1983

AC/DC
Flick Of The Switch

Hard Rock | Album | 15 August 1983

Twisted Sister
You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll

Hard Rock | Album | 27 July 1983

The Angels
Watch The Red

Hard Rock | Album | 2 May 1983

Motorhead
Another Perfect Day

Hard Rock | Album | 4 June 1983

Motorhead are a band that are often accused of making the same album over and over. Released in 1983, Another Perfect Day didn't deviate much from the formula, but it was different enough that many fans rejected it - and it wasn't just about the music. Brian 'Robbo' Robertson of Thin Lizzy had joined the ranks, and replacing 'Fast' Eddie Clarke was never going to be an easy gig. His guitar lines were often filled with flourishes Clarke would have instead bulldozed through, adding a level of delicacy to the music many took umbrage to, and Lemmy himself tired of the man very quickly himself. Robertson gradually began refusing to play older Motorhead classics, and add to this his odd fashion sense (such as ballet shoes and leg warmers - on stage) meant that his tenure was short. Regardless of all that the album has stood the test of time well, and has a number of bright moments. The opening track 'Back At The Funny Farm' along with the singles 'I Got Mine' and 'Shine' opened the door to allow the band to add more melody into future music, with or without Robertson on board. It stands up and keeps its own against any of the earlier 'classic' albums, but certainly does have its own unique personality.

TheBigBlack's Metal Top 10

Quiet Riot
Metal Health

Hard Rock | Album | 11 March 1983

Accept
Balls To The Wall

Heavy Metal | Album | 5 December 1983

Black Sabbath
Born Again

Heavy Metal | Album | 7 August 1983

Dio
Holy Diver

Heavy Metal | Album | 23 May 1983

Ozzy Osbourne
Bark At The Moon

Heavy Metal | Album | 10 December 1983

Mercyful Fate
Melissa

Heavy Metal | Album | 30 October 1983

Slayer
Show No Mercy

Thrash Metal | Album | 3 December 1983

Iron Maiden
Piece Of Mind

Heavy Metal | Album | 16 May 1983

Metallica
Kill 'Em All

Thrash Metal | Album | 25 July 1983