1981 was a good year for me, I got my driver’s license, which meant I got a part time job. A job meant I got money, which meant I could keep my comic book collection up plus start buying records instead of borrowing and making a mono copy. Bought my first stereo too, a Sound Design (Mr. Big shot here, but it was mine). Also went to my first concerts, Styx, Journey and AC/DC (at least I think AC/DC was this year).
1)
Journey-Escape Styx and Journey were about a tie for my favorite 1981 album, but the tone on Journey edges it to the win.
2)
Styx –Paradise Theater All 3 singers nail everyone of their songs
3)
Foreigner-4 My favorite Foreigner album
4)
Rush-Moving Pictures5)
Genesis-Abacab6)
Black Sabbath-The Mob Rules7)
Phil Collins-Face Value Lindsey Buckingham-Law and Order Love the oddness of this album.
9)
Stevie Nicks-Bella Donna 10)
Best Live Album
1)
Journey-Captured The energy and vibe from this record is amazing. One of my favorite lives albums.
Best Greatest Hits/Best of
1)
Blondie-The Best of BlondieBest Album Cover
1)
Styx-Paradise Theater Front cover the new Paradise opening, the back before it's destruction. Inside a movie marquee with the songs and cast. And did I mention laser etching of boobs! (16 year point of view)
Worst follow up/over hyped album
1)
Van Halen-Fair Warning What the crap is this crap
2)
Rush-Exit Stage Left Love Rush, but this is a very boring record, and my least liked of the live offerings they have.
3)
Meat Loaf-Dead Ringer Sounds like what week old spoiled left over meatloaf would taste like. Yuch, and not his worst either!!
1)
Don’t Stop Believin Decades later, who can?
2)
Best of Times A classic, still today, love the piano in the middle.
3)
Tom Sawyer4)
In The Air Tonight5)
Jukebox Hero6)
Centerfold.
Tubesnake Boogie9)
Man on the Corner10)
Jessie’s Girl11)
Lunatic Fringe12)
Half Penny Two Penny13)
Stone in Love14)
Too Much Time on My Hands15)
Hold On Loosley Not big in southern rock, but this is one of the best.