In April of 1983 R.E.M. released their debut album.

It has been heralded as one of the finest records of the 80s and helped usher in the alternative and college radio sound.

Let’s talk R.E.M., Murmur!

In January of 1983 Def Leppard released their 3rd studio album.

With engineering wizard Mutt Lange having complete control over the writing and recording, over the course of 10 grueling months in 1982 the band would create an otherworldly sounding record that set the high watermark for all hard rock to come.

Let’s talk Def Leppard, Pyromania!

In May of 1983 British taste maker, Malcolm McLaren, released this album.

It is the very definition of cultural appropriation but incidentally maybe started a trend that eventually led to the west caring about apartheid?

Let’s talk Malcolm McLaren, Duck Rock!

In April of 1983 Violent Femmes released their debut album.

The record has been included on many a critics best of the 80s list and would go on to sell over a million copies.

The tunes aren’t bad either.

Lets talk Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes!

In the year of our lord, 1982, Duran Duran released their sophomore studio outing.

The album was not received well at all by critics of the day with NME saying it was “a sweet, lumpy pudding of a noise” and Record Mirror chiming in with, “thoroughly competent and yet bereft of the soul, passion and wit that makes a great record”.

The passage of time has proven the teenyboppers right on this one, this album slaps.

Lets talk Duran Duran, Rio!

In March of 1982 Iron Maiden released their 3rd studio album.

With the drug abuse related ouster of singer Paul Di’Anno heralded the arrival of the angel voiced former Samson vocalist, Bruce Dickinson, to fill the void.

Let’s talk Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast!

In May of 1982 Associates released their sophomore album.

The record peaked at #10 on the British charts and was named by Melody Maker as album of the year.

Let’s talk Associates, Sulk!

In September of 1982 Bruce Springsteen released his 6th studio album.

Initially written as scratch tracks for the E Street Band and subsequently declined, The Boss eschewed the bombast of his past outings and after digging in his pockets for the only copy of the tape in existence released his most raw and intimate album to date.

Let’s talk Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska!

In November of 1982 Venom changed the face of Heavy Metal, forever.

Let’s talk Venom, Black Metal!

In May of 1982 The Birthday Party released their 3rd studio album.

Inspired by Southern Gothic imagery, the record has been described as a “scuzzy masterpiece” and was No. 17 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums.

Let’s talk The Birthday Party, Junkyard!