5 of the Most Impactful Post-Punk Albums Ever

Post-punk isn’t exactly an easy thing to define. Some would say it refers to the type of rock music a new generation of artists started making after the peak of punk rock in the mid-to-late 1970s. Others attribute a number of different elements to the genre, from experimental sounds to characteristic melodies. Regardless of your definition, post-punk is simply the natural response to punk rock; and there were some beautiful albums from that genre that came out during post-punk’s heyday. Let’s look at five of the very best and impactful post-punk albums ever!

1. ‘Power, Corruption & Lies’ by New Order

When Joy Division came to its unfortunate end after the death of Ian Curtis, the remaining members decided to make something out of the ashes that remained. New Order was a new chapter for the remaining members of Joy Division, and the 1983 album Power, Corruption & Lies is one of their best pieces of work. The addition of Gillian Gilbert was a wise one that put a synth-pop spin on this particular record.

[See New Order Live In Concert]

2. ‘Marquee Moon’ by Television

Television was incredibly influential in the world of post-punk, particularly in their native New York. Tom Verlaine is way too underrated. The 1977 album Marquee Moon is, for lack of a better descriptor, the coolest album of their career.

This album shows Television at their best and puts aspects of the band that made them so popular front and center. The instrumentation on this album is on another level; they make it sound so effortless but still so ambitious.

3. ‘Remain In Light’ by Talking Heads

What would a list of the best post-punk albums be without the addition of Talking Heads’ 1980 album Remain In Light? It’s strange, unique, campy, and very different from what was out in the music world at that time. This record is a great example of poly-rhythmic music, if you’re starting to get into that sort of thing.

4. ‘Unknown Pleasures’ by Joy Division

Not only is Unknown Pleasures one of the best debut post-punk albums of all time, but it’s also considered Joy Division’s very best. Closer is great, don’t get us wrong. But Unknown Pleasures is nothing short of a masterpiece. It snatches the listener’s attention, regardless of their own personal tastes. This record is intense, tragic, catchy, and marred in a beautiful way by its intense rhythm.

5. ‘P*rnography’ by The Cure

The Cure was already a few albums deep by the time P*rnography came out. With each release, this gothic rock outfit became more and more polished and sophisticated. This particular 1982 record marked a new path for the band. 

There are only eight tracks on this gem, but each one is essential listening for fans of gothic rock and post-punk. Obviously, you only need to read the album’s title to get a vibe for the theme; it’s all about sex, drugs, and mortality.

Photo by Vinnie Zuffante

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