In June of 1981 Siouxie and The Banshees released their 4th studio album.

It is widely considered to be one of the finest post-punk records ever made.

Let’s talk Siouxie and The Banshees, Juju!

In October of 1981 Einstürzende Neubauten released their first official LP on the ZickZack record label.

This is the sound of things not just falling apart but being intentionally destroyed. Industrial music taken at it’s most literal interpretation, melody be damned.

Let’s talk Einstürzende Neubauten, Kollaps!

In late December of 1979 Pretenders released their debut album.

Recording began with Nick Lowe producing Stop Your Sobbing, but being of the opinion that this band was “not going anywhere”, he jumped ship and Chris Thomas came in to pick up the slack.

The results? Pretenders debuted at #1 on the UK Album Charts, cracked the top 10 on the Billboard 200, certified platinum in 1982, and is considered one of the finest albums of all time.

Let’s talk Pretenders, Pretenders!

In late December of 1980, known multi-instrumentalist and Traffic aficionado, Steve Winwood, released his Platinum selling sophomore solo album.

Recorded at his own Netherturkdonic Studios in Gloucestershire, Winwood opted to play all the instruments, write all the music, and produce and engineer the entire record himself.

Let’s talk Steve Winwood, Arc of a Diver!

In October of 1980 The Specials released their sophomore album.

After six months on the road and utterly exhausted, the band went into the studio with musak on their minds.

Jerry Dammers:

The results speak for themselves.

Let’s talk The Specials, More Specials!

In October of 1980 The Teardrop Explodes released their debut album.

Deriving influence from the 60s psyche movement and punk, these Liverpudlians made a significant contribution to post-punk and the future of rock music in Britain.

Let’s talk The Teardrop Explodes, Kilimanjaro!

In August of 1980 UB40 released their debut album.

Robert Christgau –

“Eight black-and-whites from Birmingham who named themselves after the dole card they know so well, they don’t play no ska–they’re songsmiths in a deep reggae groove. They take their time instead of pressing on to the next one, and more than one instrumental outwears its welcome.”

Let’s talk UB40, Signing Off!

In September of 1980 Tom Waits released his 7th studio album.

Why it’s in here when Swordfish Trombones is just three short years away, who knows?

Let’s talk Tom Waits, Heartattack and Vine!

In late November of 1980 The Jam released their 5th studio album.

Taking musical cues from many post-punk luminaries including Gang of Four, Joy Division, and Wire, with drummer Rick Buckler paying special attention to the drums on Off the Wall.

It is The Jam’s crowning achievement and truly one for the book.

Lets talk The Jam, Sound Affects!

In April of 1980, The Undertones released their second album.

Recorded at both Wisseloord Studios in The Netherlands and Eden Studios in London over the course of two months, the band cranked out more of the same material that endeared them so well to John Peel.

Lets talk The Undertones, Hypnotised!