1) XTC: The Beatles of the ’80s, XTC had some of the best pop songs of the decade. Though they started out as a post-punk band in the late ’70s, whose sound influenced the likes of Franz Ferdinand, the band’s best work came out of their later pop albums. Songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding wrote clever lyrics with infectious melodies.

Recommended: Skylarking (Geffen 1986). This pop concept album about life was one of the decade’s most under-appreciated albums.

2) The Pogues: Are you a fan of Irish-punk bands like Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys?? Those bands all wish they could be The Pogues, and that whole movement wouldn’t even exist if not for this phenomenal ’80s act.?Led by drunken frontman Shane MacGowan, these Irish musicians (accordion, tin whistle, banjo, etc.) didn’t need those noisy electric guitars in the background to have a punk attitude.?While MacGowan’s vocals sound like the growly mumblings of a drunken Irishman, the lyrical and musical quality makes The Pogues accessible to any music fan.

Recommended: Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash (1985). Producer Elvis Costello (yes, that Elvis Costello) really harnessed the band’s raw energy in their sophomore album.? This collection is a mixture of classic folk covers and originals that kicks your teeth in from the very first song.

3) The Replacements: With only one album that even broke through the Billboard 200, The Replacements worked hard, but seldom received the credit that they deserved. Born in Minneapolis, Paul Westerberg and brothers Bob and Tommy Stinson made messy hardcore music and had drunken, chaotic gigs. They never allowed themselves to reach their full potential, due to creating non-accessible music videos and dropping the f-bomb on Saturday Night Live. Still, their music was great, albeit it sloppy.

Recommended: Tim (Sire,1985). Their previous album (Let it Be) launched The Replacements onto college radio, but Tim was somewhat compromising. Their new producer made them clean up their sound, which ultimately went from shoddy, angst-ridden melodies to more a harnessed, pure sound. Listen to “Kiss Me on the Bus” multiple times to understand just how wonderful they are.

4) Joy Division: Interpol, one of the glammiest dance-rock bands of the last few years, completely and totally models themselves after Joy Division. They took part in the post-punk ’80s movement, emphasizing moody expressionism and melancholy, haunting melodies. They also incorporated heavy synthesizer usage into their emotive lyrics, which proved to be just as important to the alternative music of the ’80s as the raw, power-punk style was important to the ’70s.

Recommended: Closer (Qwest, 1980). With songs like “Isolation” and “Heart and Soul,” Joy Division shows just how creepy and wonderful their lyrics and melodies can be.

5) Robyn Hitchcock: Former Soft Boys member Robyn Hitchcock is one of England’s most enduring singer/songwriters.? While he continues to release fantastic albums to this day, Hitchcock really hit his stride back in the ’80s.? With his all acoustic I Often Dream of Trains in 1984, he established himself as a unique talent, combining accent-heavy vocals with often humorous lyrics.

Recommended: Fegmania! (1985). Fegmania! marks Hitchcock’s first album with his backing band, the Egyptians.? Trading the quiet acoustic sound for a layered full band, Hitchcock’s most quirky songwriting is found in this gem, including hits like “My Wife and my Dead Wife” and “The Man With the Lightbulb Head.”

6) The Minutemen: This San Pedro, Calif., based band was one of the most overlooked hardcore punk bands of the ’80s. ?They produced and progressed in music so quickly that the only way to understand what their music is like is to hear it. ?The Minutemen defy even a recommendation, except that you’ll either really love them, or you’ll absolutely hate them. ?If you decide to see what they’re all about, I would recommend the documentary about them called We Jam Econo, because their story and ideals are as interesting as their music. ?

Recommended: Double Nickels on the Dime (SST, 1985). This double album is their most pivotal, as well as prolific, album.

7) They Might Be Giants: Though TMBG are still prolifically releasing albums, their best music came from their early work. Creating punk rock from their brains rather than their fists, John Flansburgh and John Linnell wrote unbelievably witty songs like “Don’t Let’s Start” and “Ana Ng,” which took college radio by storm.

Recommended: Then: The Earlier Years (Restless 1997). A compilation of their first two albums, They Might Be Giants (1988) and Lincoln (1989), this collection is a perfect introduction to the band.

8) M?torhead: Founded in the mid-’70s, this influential hard-rock outfit gained prominence as the ’80s metal scene developed. Often cited as a major influence on both thrash and speed metal, the band was a unique entity in and of itself. The band was unafraid to rock harder and faster than its contemporaries, without losing sight of its unique, swinging groove. In contrast to many of their peers, the band eschewed the clich?d lyrical themes (vikings, dragons, nymphs, etc.) and epic song lengths of traditional metal in favor of short, accessible songs about love, alienation and independence, delivered by frontman Lemmy Kilminster in his distinctive bark.

Recommended: No Sleep Till Hammersmith (Castle Music America, 1981). All of the band’s early hits delivered in a show stopping live performance.