They're kinda one and the same...in fact, I can't tell the difference, esp. since Johnny Marr usually played on Morrissey's solo tracks. Go fig.
If we go 80s synth-pop or alternative/progressive/modern rock (depending on what it was called in your area), then I would suggest any of the following:
The Cure
New Order
Joy Division
The Smiths
Morrissey
The Clash (a bit of punk never hurt anyone, right?)
Depeche Mode (before Violator)
Erasure (less depressing, but definitely of the era...Chorus is a fav CD)
And there are so many others...and I'm blanking...but that's a starter list.
I would add the stone roses, the charlatans and new order to the list =) (Madchester?who said Madchester? )
By the way, I got to listen to some samples off the new charlatans album "simpatico" (lol), it seems pretty good.
lol Mozza lives in Rome now