In a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when Grab A Stack of Rock was known as The Lebrain Train, four of us did a show on our favourite albums of 1981.

As part of the preparations, we each chose three albums and listened to them in detail, along with giving time to the other panel members’ albums. It is from my notes from these listens that these mini-reviews, so to speak, are culled from. My picks, Iron Maiden’s Killers, Oingo Boingo’s Only A Lad and Electric Light Orchestra’s Time, weren’t included on this page as they received more in-depth notes.

So, without further ado, here are my ‘reviews’ of the 9 other albums I listened to.

Genesis – ABACAB

Fun. Light. Bright. Doesn’t go off on long proggy instrumental tangents. Title track and “Dodo/Lurker” are my favourites. “Another Record” makes for a humorous ending.

The Moody Blues – Long Distance Voyage

Largely too soft and boring, but a couple of standout tunes- “The Voice”, “Painted Smile” and “Veteran Cosmic Rocker”. And of course, the ultimate, “Gemini Dream”.

The Who – Face Dances

A couple of good songs. Not a fan of The Who. Prefer it when Roger Daltrey sings other bands’ material.

Rush – Moving Pictures

I liked it when the Rush singer wasn’t singing.

Blue Oyster Cult – Fire of Unknown Origin

That was pretty darn good. “Joan Crawford” and “Burnin’ For You” were my favourites.

AC/DC – For Those About To Rock

I liked it. I prefer Brian Johnson to Bon Scott

John Williams – Raiders of the Lost Ark OST

My preference is The Last Crusade‘s, but this one is good too. That iconic opening track really sets the mood so well for that part.

Thin Lizzy – Renegade

Most of the choruses are a little underwhelming but the guitars are smoking hot. It’s a good album.

Styx – Paradise Theatre

Pretty good. Had a similar start and end, just like Long Distance Voyage and Time.

What a lineup of albums, eh? What did you think of my super-short reviews, and are there any albums from that year we missed?