1) Joy Division
They invented industrial rock and gloom rock, and provided a template for goth to boot. Singer Ian Curtis’ death only magnified their stature. Injecting punk’s energy with a literate existentialism, Joy Division became perhaps the most critically acclaimed band – in any genre – in rock history.
Recommended LPs: "Unknown Pleasures."
2) Smiths
Only in the 80s could a driving guitar band be fronted by the most fabulous, self-effacing man in the U.K. Melodic songs, killer riffs, and that snarky British sense of humor.
Recommended LPs: "The Queen Is Dead" is as good an introduction as any.
3) Bauhaus
Bauhaus unintentionally founded gothic rock with their first single, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” Bauhaus then used goth as a starting point for all manner of dark experimentation, mastering glam riffs and reggae grooves along the way. Easily the most versatile of the post-punk bands.
Recommended LPs: "Mask," which was the peak of Bauhaus’ frantic collision of visceral styles.
4) Echo and the Bunnymen
Surprised by their high standing? Don’t be. These Liverpool lads made no less than four killer albums in the 80s. They were also the least afraid of classic rock influences.
Recommended LPs: The haunting and majestic "Ocean Rain" (1984).
5) The Police
Before they succumbed to Sting’s massive ego, the Police were experts at infusing the introspective mood of post-punk with reggae.
Recommended LPs: 1979's "Regatta De Blanc."
6) New Order
The surviving members of Joy Division turned that band’s angst into club mix bliss. The virtual inventors of the 12” single, and living proof that self-promotion is overrated.
Recommended LPs: 1989’s Ibiza-influence “Technique."
7) The Cure
Their standing lowered somewhat by their sub-par 90s output, Robert Smith’s revolving band of pouters still elicit respect.
Recommended LPs: "Faith," "Seventeen Seconds," and "Pornography."
8) U2
Their post-punk phase lasted only three albums, but that first one was big.
Recommended LPs: 1980’s thrilling concept album, "Boy."
9) Depeche Mode
They made tinker-toy keyboard music until primary songwriter Martin L. Gore found his true muse – the darkness within.
Recommended LPs: 1986’s devastatingly bleak “Black Celebration.”
10) REM
No one really figured that the post-punk influence would reach deep into the American South, pulling one shy and brilliant post-modern poet and his band to the top of the charts.
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