Blues Rock 1980s Albums

Pump joins Aerosmith’s bluesy swing to the larger, polished sound of the late 1980s with remarkable control.

Great White's fourth album, released on 12 April 1989, went double platinum as its cover of Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten Twice Shy" hit number 5.

Blue Murder puts John Sykes forward not only as a guitarist but as a frontman shaping his own sound.

The Great Radio Controversy puts Tesla’s blues-touched hard-rock feel beside strong melodic writing.

Slip of the Tongue centers David Coverdale’s forceful vocal delivery inside a hard, glossy guitar-driven sound.

Blow Up Your Video strips AC/DC back to the essentials: the Young brothers’ riff engine, Brian Johnson’s full-throated voice and a beat that moves straight ahead.

Long Cold Winter keeps Cinderella’s earlier flash while digging deeper into blues grit and Southern-rock earthiness.

Permanent Vacation reconnects Aerosmith’s blues-rooted instincts with the radio and MTV scale of the late 1980s.

Gary Moore's eighth album, dedicated to Phil Lynott, who died in 1986, and built around Irish melody.

Great White's third album, released by Capitol in June 1987, went platinum behind the seven-minute "Rock Me", the band's first Hot 100 hit.

Whitesnake surrounds David Coverdale’s bluesy, powerful voice with huge guitar riffs and layered choruses.

Who Made Who is a useful way to hear AC/DC from a different angle within the 1986 catalogue.

Night Songs by CINDERELLA: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Great White's second album, first issued on the band's own Telegraph label in 1986 and reissued by Capitol, reached number 82 on the Billboard 200.

Mechanical Resonance is a debut that trusts riff texture and the feel of a real band more than excessive decoration.

Fly on the Wall by AC/DC: track list, Spotify player, music videos and English liner notes on METAL BOOST.

Done with Mirrors brings Aerosmith back toward guitar-led rock and roll after the return of Joe Perry and Brad Whitford.

Great White's debut album, produced by Michael Wagener and released by EMI America in February 1984, peaked at number 144 on the Billboard 200.

Slide It In keeps Whitesnake’s blues-rock pull at its center while giving the band a heavier guitar frame and clearer hard-rock hooks.

Flick of the Switch concentrates AC/DC’s force into thick rhythm guitar, hard beat and Brian Johnson’s shouted vocal attack.

Rock in a Hard Place is a rough, tense Aerosmith record made during an unsettled period.

Coda collects unreleased material and live recordings from different Led Zeppelin periods.

Saints & Sinners keeps Whitesnake rooted in bluesy hard rock while bringing deeper shade and urgency into the songs.

For Those About to Rock presents AC/DC’s most basic strengths on a larger scale.

Come an’ Get It centers David Coverdale’s deep, soulful voice within layers of Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden’s guitars and Jon Lord’s keyboards.

Back in Black finds AC/DC moving forward after Bon Scott’s death with Brian Johnson as its new singer.

Ready an' Willing centers on David Coverdale’s soulful voice and joins Whitesnake’s blues-rock depth to a harder push.