It’s time for Rockin’ the Suburbs’ annual bracket challenge. This time we determine the best album from the 1980s.
Vote on daily matchups at Facebook.com/suburbspod starting Thursday, Jan. 30. A champion will be crowned on Tuesday, April 8.
You can download a printable bracket here.
Or follow the updated online bracket here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hDSsrWVxSLiBm5kGm3fieN-qWAl9-b9shmJezCEZVCg/edit?usp=sharing
About the field of 64:
We took a more scientific approach this year. Each quadrant is based on a different criteria:
Quadrant 1: The top 16 best-selling albums released in the ‘80s. (U.S. sales. Source: bestsellingalbums.org)
Quadrant 2: The top 16 critically acclaimed albums released in the ‘80s (excepting duplicates with Quadrant 1. Source: Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums List, updated 2023).
Quadrant 3: The top 16 vote-getters in our listener poll (excepting duplicates with Quadrants 1 and 2).
Quadrant 4: Host picks. Jim and Patrick each picked their eight favorite albums not included in the other quadrants.
A few caveats:
- Albums must have been released in the United States between Jan. 1, 1980, and Dec. 31, 1989. (Yes, “London Calling” has a 1980 U.S. release date.)
- Studio albums only.
- No greatest hits albums.