10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released In The 1980s

10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released In The 1980s

Feature Photo: Allen Beaulieu; Distributed by Warner Bros. Records., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Our list of the 10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released in the 1980s showcases some of the finest double albums from what is often referred to as the “Big ’80s.” One challenge we encountered with this list was the transition in the music industry from releasing albums on both CD and vinyl to CD-only formats. This shift wasn’t a major issue in the early 1980s, as CDs didn’t become prevalent until around 1984-85. However, by the latter part of the decade, these changes occurred rapidly. We are unsure if we can continue this list into the 1990s, as almost all albums then were released solely on CD, would eventually become a double album length over time as bands were eager to fill those CDs  with plenty of tunes to give the listener more bang for ther buck. It becomes challenging to distinguish the differences anymore. Nonetheless, we managed to pick ten standout double albums that were clearly released as two-record sets in the wonderful decade of the BIG ’80s!

We stayed with studio double albums only for the most part.

# 10 – Zen Arcade – Hüsker Dü

We kick off our list of the 10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released in the 1980s with one of the decade’s most groundbreaking records. Hüsker Dü set out to redefine the rock and roll landscape, moving beyond the punk and new wave scenes that had emerged just a few years earlier. Although it took a while for the scene to fully develop, many argue that it was this album that sparked the fire fueling the alternative rock movement. Zen Arcade was released in 1984. At that time, the band included Grant Hart, Bob Mould, Greg Norton, and Dez Cadena.

# 9 – You Are What You Is – Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa embraced the technology that the 1980s brought to music. Though he was a brilliant musician and composer who didn’t necessarily need technology to enhance his creativity, he understood the possibilities it offered him. Zappa and his record company released a plethora of music during the 1980s, including many double and triple albums, most of them on CD and many featuring live recordings. His guitar series was fueled by guitar solos taken from live concerts, which he then mixed with other recordings to release incredible albums. His Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar series unleashed a torrent of inventive music into the world for Frank Zappa fans. While much of his work was live, one of our favorite albums, released in 1981 called You Are What You Is, was a double album consisting entirely of studio recordings, making it a standout choice for this list.

# 8 – English Settlement – XTC

Landing at number eight on our list of the 10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released in the 1980s is the brilliant English Settlement by XTC. Released in the winter of 1982, this album is often regarded by many as XTC’s finest. It was nearly propelled by singles such as “Senses Working Overtime,” “Ball and Chain,” and “No Thugs in Our House.” This double album was filled with wonderfully crafted acoustic-based songs of pure pop brilliance, most of which were written by Andy Partridge during a particularly creative period in his career.

The members of the band at the time included Colin Moulding, Andy Partridge, Dave Gregory, and Terry Chambers. While the band was never a massive commercial success in the United States—peaking at number 48 on the US Billboard 200—they enjoyed significant popularity overseas, especially in the United Kingdom. In the UK, English Settlement soared to number five on the charts, cementing its status as a seminal work in their discography.

# 7 – Nothing Like The Sun – Sting

I vividly remember when this album first came out. I was in a record store on Long Island, owned by Jimmy LaLumia, who had been the lead singer and chief songwriter for his own band, the Psychotic Frogs. Jimmy explained to me that the album wasn’t actually a full double album but rather a hybrid—a combination of a double album and a single album, essentially an extended single CD. This is where the whole double album versus extended CD concept can get a bit confusing. Nonetheless, the final product released on vinyl was two records, although there were only three songs on each side, which ultimately resulted in superior audio quality.

In the end, none of these classifications really matter; what truly counts is the brilliance of the record itself. Sting possibly delivered the best solo album of his career with this release. Featuring songs like “Englishman in New York,” “They Dance Alone,” “We’ll Be Together,” and his solo masterpiece “Fragile,” this exceptional two-record set, Nothing Like the Sun, was released in 1987. It stands out not only for its artistic depth but also for its pristine sound quality.

# 6 – Daydream Nation – Sonic Youth

Like Hüsker Dü, who opened this list, Sonic Youth was another band that significantly influenced the rock music scene. In 1988, they released the album Daydream Nation, which was immediately hailed by critics and would eventually rank very highly in many end-of-year lists for 1988. These weren’t just short three to four-minute rock songs; they were rock and roll, punk, new wave, alternative—whatever you want to call it—jams on brilliantly written tunes. The album featured a fusion of many different influences, all thrown into a bucket of rock and roll soup and tasting just so good.

At the time of Daydream Nation‘s release, the band consisted of Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley. Their collaborative dynamics and innovative approaches to music made Daydream Nation a landmark album that epitomized the energy and spirit of the late ’80s alternative scene.

# 5 – Sign Of The Times – Prince

At the halfway point on our 10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released in the 1980s list is the first of two Prince albums to make this list, entitled Sign o’ the Times. This album is often touted as the best record Prince ever released. We wouldn’t really argue against that. Some may ask, then, why isn’t this album ahead of the next Prince album on this list? There is a bit of subjectivity that comes into these lists, and we just happen to like this one a little less than 1999. Nonetheless, what really matters is just how brilliant this album was.

Sign o’ the Times marks the first Prince album without The Revolution, serving as a follow-up to Parade. It featured four amazing singles: the title track “Sign o’ the Times,” “If I Was Your Girlfriend,” “U Got the Look” featuring Sheena Easton, and the fourth and final single “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man.” While The Revolution had been disbanded, the album still featured many members from the group, including the fabulous Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, better known as Wendy and Lisa.

The stunning Sheila E also performed on the record, along with Dr. Fink, Bobby Z, Eric Leeds, and many others. This was a massively successful record on the charts, breaking into the US Billboard 200 top 20 and also hitting number two on US soundtrack albums, as it was released alongside a concert film. If you want to showcase the true artistry of Prince and his talent, this album is probably the one to highlight. However, if you just want to have some fun with some really good tunes and party anthems, well then, that album is a few spots down the list.

# 4 – Rattle And Hum – U2

At the number four spot on our 10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released In The 1980s list, we present a bit of an outlier. While all the other albums on this list are complete two-record set studio albums, we’ve made an exception for Rattle and Hum by U2. Rattle and Hum was a double album that consisted of live tracks and new studio recordings. This wasn’t just a couple of new studio recordings; there were nine new studio tracks released on Rattle and Hum, and they were some of the best songs the band ever released.

Furthermore, many of the live songs on this record cover very famous songs that the band had not written, like the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” and Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” There was just so much to this two-record set that we couldn’t leave it off this list. Released in 1988, Rattle and Hum was also accompanied by a documentary film. This is how you follow up an album like The Joshua Tree.

# 3 – The Innocent Age – Dan Fogelberg

We go back to the start of the decade with this next selection from the late Dan Fogelberg. In 1981, Dan Fogelberg released the first double record set of his career, which may very well be the finest album he ever released. Some might argue with Nether Lands, but I believe it comes down to The Innocent Age being his true masterpiece. This album includes two of the most beloved songs ever released: “Leader of the Band” and “Same Old Lang Syne,” both of which are on this album. He had three top 10 hits including the two latter songs and “Hard to Say.”

The album featured guest appearances by Joni Mitchell, Eagles’ Don Henley and Glenn Frey, and Emmylou Harris. This is just a majestic album that should be in everyone’s record collection. We miss him.

# 2 – The River – Bruce Springsteen

Moreover, some of the album’s deepest tracks would become the most loved songs, such as “Drive All Night,” “Wreck on the Highway,” “Stolen Car,” and, of course, the title track “The River,” which was a stunning, mature piece of work that poignantly concluded the narratives perhaps started in Born to Run. The first introduction to this album was the single “Hungry Heart,” released prior to the album. I remember hearing it and thinking, “Wait a second, that’s not Springsteen.” Indeed, they had sped up his voice slightly to make it sound a bit higher in pitch, which really worked because it became his first big hit, peaking at number five on the Top 10. Surprisingly, Springsteen has never had a number one single in his career. He came close with “Dancing in the Dark,” which hit number two, but it was ultimately blocked from the top spot by the next man on this list.

# 1 –  1999 – Prince

As we close out our 10 Best Rock Music Double Albums Released in the 1980s list, it’s time to party! If you were around in the early ’80s, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. While Sign o’ the Times is often hailed as Prince’s most critically acclaimed album, 1999 was undoubtedly his most fun. Released in the fall of 1982, 1999 was Prince’s fifth studio album. He had already developed a cult following based on his earlier records, but it was 1999 that transformed him into a household name.

Songs like the title track, “Little Red Corvette,” and “Delirious” received extensive airplay. “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” went into heavy rotation on MTV, breaking new ground as the network had not been favorable to R&B artists at the time. Along with Michael Jackson, Prince helped to break down those barriers. 1999 isn’t just a fun party record; it’s also profound, featuring incredibly well-written songs that showcase a talent like almost no other. It’s a poignant reminder of the immense talent we lost when Prince passed away at such a young age. He gave us so much great music in his short lifetime, and 1999 stands as one of the best records he ever released. I should note, it wasn’t 1999 that stopped “Dancing in the Dark” from hitting number one; that was Purple Rain.

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