Album Chart of 1976
| ← 1975 |  |
1977 → |
| Album Chart of 1976 |
42 tracks, runtime 2h 56m. The playlist features the highest-rated track from each album (subject to what's available on YouTube) in chart order, with a minimum individual track-rating of 6.5 required for inclusion. To view the full tracklist, access shuffle-play or avoid in-play interruption due to territorially blocked videos, it might be best playing directly via YouTube 
SAVIOURS: JOHNNY • TOMMY • JOEY • DEE DEE
It's 1976 and the Ramones are GO on the albums front, generating steam heat, pulsating to the back beat. In Britain, the Sex Pistols have released their explosive debut single, declaring themselves to be the anti-christ, they are here to destroy Eagles and overthrow Queen. This is a two-pronged attack from both sides of the Atlantic. The explosion may only be underground, but this is THEE big bang. Scenes and ‘zines burst into life all over the western world; the D.I.Y. ethics of which will continue to reverberate into the next century. As well as Ramones, the New York scene is represented by fine long-players from the Patti Smith Group and Blondie. From Massachusetts, Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers deliver their long-awaited debut LP - it was a case of waiting four years and two coming along at once.
Elsewhere, Virgin execs are swanning around Jamaica with suitcases full of cash. As a result, Rasta roots music is bubbling hot in many corners of the world; there are an impressive 8 long-players in my Top 30 this year from Bob Marley and The Wailers, Prince Far I, Peter Tosh, U-Roy, The Upsetters, Justin Hines and The Dominoes, Augustus Pablo and The Mighty Diamonds.
In terms of rebel quality, there is no strength-in-depth to the music LPs of the western world in '76 but, thankfully, Antigua's King Short Shirt is on red hot form, Turkey's Selda Bağcan is intensely brilliant, and there are number of terrific African LPs from Mahlabathini, Kawere Boys Band, Daniel Kamau, Fela Kuti and Amagugu - to name just 5!
Whilst the feeling of 1976 is definitely forward march it's great to see Bob Dylan continue his magnificent mid-70s form.
A quick head-count reveals this to be a ten-nation Top 30 - long may this continue.
The Jukebox Rebel
30-Jul-2016
The Modern Lovers
Home Of The Hits HH-1910
“A masterpiece” Proto-PunkJukebox picks: “Roadrunner [1972]” (10) • “She Cracked” (9.9) • “Pablo Picasso” (9.7)
My album of the year in ’76 was a mutation; aborted recordings from 1971-72 finally given their place as an album statem...more →
Ramones
Sire SASD-7520
“A classic” PunkJukebox picks: “Blitzkreig Bop” (10) • “Beat On The Brat” (10) • “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” (9.4)
Staring back at you from their iconic debut in April ’76 were: Johnny Ramone (27, guitar); Tommy Ramone (27, drums); Joe...more →
King Short Shirt
Charlie's Records CR-103
“Excellent” CaribbeanJukebox picks: “Tourist Leggo” (9.3) • “Nobody Go Run Me” (9.1) • “When” (9.0)
What a glorious offering from the 34-year-old McLean Emmanuel, surely one of the very finest Calypsonians ever to emerge...more →
Bob Marley and The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9383
“Excellent” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Who The Cap Fit” (10) • “Positive Vibration” (9.4) • “Crazy Baldhead” (9.3)
The Bob Marley story was moving along beautifully at this time. There had been no studio albums in ’75 but the live vers...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia PC-33893
“Brilliant” Folk Rock / AmericanaJukebox picks: “Romance In Durango” (9.2) • “Joey” (8.7) • “Black Diamond Bay” (8.3)
Bob Dylan’s career story to date has consisted of early-60s solo excellence, mid-60s intense group brilliance, and then ...more →
Mahlabathini and Izintombi Zephepha backed by The Naughty Boys
Soweto SWA-14019
“Brilliant” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Ukuhamba Ukuboma” (9.5) • “Mathamyizimyaba” (9.0) • “Kubuhlunmgu” (8.5)
Never judge an album by its cover is an adage which can be applied here – put the playboy out of your mind and dance wou...more →
Kawere Boys Band
Playa Sound PS-33005
“Brilliant” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Elizia Atieno” (8.4) • “Omolo Mzee” (8.1) • “Joseph Awiti” (8.0)
Kawere Boys Band were purveyors of benga music, which has its heartlands in Nairobi and is characterized by an extremely...more →
Prince Far I
Carib Gems CGLP-1002
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Psalm 48” (9.0) • “Psalm 23” (8.9) • “Psalm 95” (8.6)
After several years in the business the characterful and gruff chanter, now in his early 30s, was ready to unleash his f...more →
Selda
Türküola (Turkey) LP-305
“Really good” Folk; Middle EasternJukebox picks: “Maden Dağı (Deloy, Deloy)” (9.4) • “Askerin Türküsü” (8.6) • “Acıyı Bal Eyledik” (8.4)
By now in her late 20s, the Turkish folk singer Selda Bağcan had crammed much into her first 5 years as a professional m...more →
Peter Tosh
Columbia PC-34253
“Really good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Brand New Second Hand” (9.6) • “What’Cha Gonna Do?” (8.0) • “Burial” (7.8)
As a Wailer for all of his adult life until very recently, the 31-year-old Peter Tosh was a legendary figure by the time...more →
Patti Smith Group
Arista AL-4097
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Pissing In A River” (8.4) • “Ask The Angels” (8.3) • “Ain’t It Strange” (8.0)
Patti Smith has now become the Patti Smith Group; in comparison to “Horses”, “Radio Ethiopia” side-steps from the punk f...more →
U-Roy
Virgin V-2059
“Really good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Natty Rebel” (8.5) • “If You Should Leave Me” (8.3) • “Natty Kung Fu” (8.0)
U-Roy was riding on the crest of a wave at this time; the world’s ears were open to Jamaica and he was well placed as an...more →
Daniel Kamau
Playa Sound PS-33001
“Really good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Kiririkano Kia Zk” (8.5) • “Jane Macyline” (8.2) • “Ningwite Nawe pt.2” (8.0)
A highly enjoyable LP from the 27-year-old singer-guitarist from Gatanga. I’m pretty sure it’s a compilation of 45s (the...more →
Fela and Afrika 70
Coconut PMLP-1003
“Really good” Disco / Funk; DubbeatJukebox picks: “Zombie” (7.6) • “Mister Follow Follow” (6.8)
The 23rd new music album from the uber-prolific 37-year-old Afrobeat star proved to be a nightmare for him, despite bein...more →
Jean Michel Jarre
Les Disques Motors 2933-207
“Really good” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Oxygène, part 2” (8.2) • “Oxygène, part 6” (7.9) • “Oxygène, part 5” (7.7)
After quietly cultivating his craft over the course of several years, the 28-year-old painter from Lyon assembled his de...more →
Amagugu with The Intuthuko Brothers
Kaya Lami KYL-2003
“Really good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Isithabathaba Segoli” (8.5) • “Ukuhlupheka Kwami” (7.8) • “Wamuhle Thekwane” (7.7)
Amagugu’s “Ubhek’uZulu” was well received by myself in my album chart of 1974. The second offering from the quintet, a r...more →
Ivor Cutler
Virgin V-2065
“Really good” Avant-Garde; Poetry; StorytellingJukebox picks: “Life In A Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 2, Ep. 11” (10) • “A Wooden Tree” (9.8) • “Life In A Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 2, Ep. 6” (9.6)
The idiosyncratic wonder that is Ivor Cutler delivered his third and final album for Virgin in September ’76 and for the...more →
Blondie
Private Stock PS-2023
“Really good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Rip Her To Shreds” (9.9) • “X Offender” (9.8) • “In The Flesh” (9.4)
Out just in time for Christmas was the debut LP from the exciting quintet out of New York who lined up: Debbie Harry (31...more →
The Upsetters
Upsetter
“Good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Dub Along” (8.9) • “Zion Blood” (8.4) • “Three In One” (8.2)
Dubby, but rarely vacant, this is an enjoyable 40 minutes atmospheric trip, deep into the heart of Lee Perry’s Black Ark...more →
Intuthuko Brothers
Kaya Lami KYL-2002
“Good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Yasuka Yahlala” (8.5) • “Mahlabathini Special No.6” (7.9) • “Wedding Bells No.5” (7.7)
A big improvement (for my tastes) on their more poppy offering from ’74, “Tomorrow’s Wedding”. On “Stars Of Africa”, the...more →
Justin Hines and The Dominoes
Island Records ILPS-9416
“Good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Babylon Children” (7.9) • “Fire” (7.2) • “Dip And Fall Back” (7.0)
With the demise of his great supporter, Duke Reid, the Ska legend that was Justin Hinds was thought to be retired early ...more →
June Tabor
Topic Records 12TS-298
“Good” FolkJukebox picks: “The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” (10) • “The Merchant's Son” (7.3) • “Bonny May” (7.3)
The debut album from the 29-year-old Warwickshire lass features 8 traditionals and 2 contemporary covers. June shows her...more →
James Brown
Polydor PD-6071
“Good” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Get Up Offa That Thing / Release The Pressure” (9.6) • “I Refuse To Lose” (7.7) • “Can't Take It With You” (6.8)
“Get Up Offa That Thing / Release the Pressure” lives here in all of its 9-minute glory, a behemoth of the funky-dis...more →
Lou Reed
Arista AL-4100
“Decent enough” Songwriter; Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Temporary Thing” (8.9) • “Rock And Roll Heart” (7.4) • “Banging On My Drum” (7.0)
With his contract at RCA expired, Lou moved on to Arista for his next episode, “Rock and Roll Heart”, a decent set, even...more →
Loudon Wainwright III
Arista AL-4063
“Decent enough” Folk; CountryJukebox picks: “Talking Big Apple ’75” (8.5) • “Wine With Dinner” (8.0) • “Wine With Dinner (Night Cap)” (7.8)
By and large a full-blown band supports Loudon on his sixth offering – I’m extremely wary. To be fair, he doesn’t let me...more →
Agustus Pablo
Yard Music
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Young Generation Dub” (7.7) • “Keep On” (7.4) • “Satta” (7.2)
As you’d expect with Tubby and Pablo at the desk, this is a primal dub affair with all shades of nice keys from the melo...more →
The Mighty Diamonds
Well Charge JOE-JOE-101
“Decent enough” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Them Never Love Poor Marcus” (8.5) • “Why Me Black Brother Why” (7.7) • “Have Mercy” (6.8)
Virgin’s raid on Jamaica for talent led to the debut long player of the Mighty Diamonds vocal-trio – Donald Shaw, Fitzro...more →
Tom Waits
Asylum Records 7E-1078
“Decent enough” Jazz; Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Step Right Up” (10) • “Pasties And A Gstring (At The Two O’Clock Club)” (6.8) • “Bad Liver And A Broken Heart (In Lowell)” (6.1)
Another smoky late-night jazz-rap session from the 26-year-old who seems to be going on for 57. His Louis Armstrong styl...more →
Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers
Beserkley BZ-0048
“Decent enough” Rock n Roll / RockabillyJukebox picks: “Lonely Financial Zone” (8.4) • “Rockin' Shopping Center” (8.0) • “Abominable Snowman In The Market” (7.7)
The debut album statement from the 25-year-old Jonathan Richman finally arrived in the summer of ’76, six years after he...more →
Members of the Penguin Café Orchestra
Obscure obscure no. 7
“Decent enough” Alternative Folk; Contemporary ClassicalJukebox picks: “Giles Farnaby's Dream” (8.2) • “Penguin Cafe Single” (7.2) • “From The Colonies (For N.R.)” (6.7)
The Penguin Café Orchestra, founded by classically trained English guitarist, composer and arranger Simon Jeffes and cel...more →
T. Rex
T. REX BLN-5004
“Average” Pop; RockJukebox picks: “New York City” (8.5) • “Jupiter Liar” (7.4) • “All Alone” (7.2)
The shifting line-ups continued on album #11 with only Marc Bolan (vocals, guitars, moog), Gloria Jones (backing vocals,...more →
Aswad
Island Records ILPS-9399
“Average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Back To Africa” (7.1) • “Concrete Slaveship” (6.6) • “I A Rebel Soul” (6.4)
Fine debut from the London roots-rockers, very much in the vein of The Wailers. The core line up was: Brinsley 'Chaka B'...more →
Gregory Isaacs
Micron Music Limited
“Average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Help Us Get Over” (8.6) • “All I Have Is Love [single version '75]” (6.3) • “Sinner Man” (6.2)
I’ve witnessed first hand the adoration for the cool ruler in his homeland and it’s not difficult to understand just why...more →
Joan Armatrading
A&M Records SP-4588
“Average” Cerebral Pop; PopJukebox picks: “Love And Affection” (9.2) • “Down To Zero” (7.4) • “Somebody Who Loves You” (5.5)
Breakthrough LP from the 25-year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist, with experienced producer Glyn Johns (Steve Miller, Th...more →
ABBA
Polar POLS-272
“Below average” PopJukebox picks: “Knowing Me, Knowing You” (7.0) • “Why Did It Have To Be Me?” (6.8) • “Dancing Queen” (6.7)
Confounding those who predicted that they'd fade as quickly as their firework exploded, ABBA went from strength to stren...more →
Michael Mantler with Robert Wyatt, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Jack DeJohnette and Terje Rypdal
WATT Works WATT-4
“Below average” ProgJukebox picks: “The Hapless Child” (6.5) • “The Remembered Visit” (6.4) • “The Doubtful Guest” (5.4)
An ambitious project co-ordinated by the Austrian Jazz trumpeter and bandleader, Michael Mantler, who pays tribute to th...more →
Joni Mitchell
Asylum Records 7E-1087
“Below average” JazzJukebox picks: “Blue Motel Room” (6.4) • “Coyote” (6.1) • “Amelia” (5.5)
The 8th album from the newly turned 33-year-old, considered by critics and fans as one of her very best. The album's nam...more →
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
Shelter Records SRL-52006
“Below average” Rock; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Anything That's Rock 'n' Roll” (6.9) • “Mystery Man” (5.9) • “American Girl” (5.7)
Following the break-up of his previous group, Mudcrutch, in late 1975, Tom Petty dusted himself down and, at the record ...more →
AC/DC
Albert Productions APLP-020
“Below average” RockJukebox picks: “Rocker” (7.1) • “Ride On” (6.8) • “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” (6.2)
Palatable, even for a non-rock-head like me, sometimes a bit bluesy, sometimes a bit punky, but very much in their own u...more →
Buffy Saint-Marie
ABC Records ABCD-929
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; PopJukebox picks: “I Been Down” (6.9) • “Starwalker” (6.7) • “I Don’t Need No City Life” (6.4)
The album includes three covers within the first four tracks; “Sweet America” (Greenfield, 1971), “Wynken, Blynken...more →
Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7034
“Poor” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Gamin’ On Ya!” (6.0) • “Do That Stuff” (5.8) • “Funkin’ For Fun” (5.7)
Another succesful US Top 20 album from the ever-ambitious larger-than-life wide-eyed funksters, trading at their commerc...more →
David Bowie
RCA Victor APL1-1327
“Poor” Cerebral PopJukebox picks: “Golden Years” (7.2) • “TVC 15” (5.2) • “Station To Station” (4.6)
“The return of the Thin White Duke, Throwing darts in lovers' eyes” warns Bowie in the very opening barb of the ti...more →
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Arista AL-4044
“Poor” R n BJukebox picks: “Johannesburg” (6.2) • “Beginnings (The First Minutes Of A New Day)” (5.5) • “The Summer Of ’42” (5.0)
Now firmly settled in to their new home at Arista, this set gains a whole point on its predecesor, “The First Minute Of ...more →
Ruth Brown
President Records PTLS-1067B
“Lame” SoulJukebox picks: “Stop Knocking” (6.5) • “Lots More Of Me Leaving (Less Of Me Coming Home)” (5.5) • “Ain’t No Piece Of Cake” (4.6)
Ruth Brown’s 1976 LP finds her in the house of Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams. You’d have thought such a pairing up would b...more →
Hector Nicol
Newkey Records NKR-900
“Lame” ComedyJukebox picks: “Bonnie Wee Jeannie McColl [live]” (5.0) • “If I Had My Way [live]” (4.0) • “Big Gertie Gordon [live]” (3.8)
Recorded live at The Greenfield Social Club, Burnbank, Lanarkshire in 1976. Funny at times, but the old-skool nonsense l...more →
Steve Miller Band
Capitol Records ST-11497
“Terrible” Psychedelia; RockJukebox picks: “Rock ’n’ Me” (7.7) • “Sweet Maree” (5.2) • “Dance, Dance, Dance” (4.4)
Ninth album from the San-Francisco-based rocker, his new core group recreated as a trio since 1973's “The Joker”. They l...more →
Stevie Wonder
Tamla T13-340C2
“Terrible” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Sir Duke” (6.8) • “Pastime Paradise” (6.4) • “Village Ghetto Land” (5.4)
On the ratings front, I include the 17 LP tracks, but exclude the bonus 4 track single that came with the album. The 2LP...more →
Al Stewart
RCA Victor RCA LP-3015
“Terrible” SongwriterJukebox picks: “Sand In Your Shoes” (4.9) • “One Stage Before” (4.2) • “Broadway Hotel” (3.7)
Seventh album from the 30-year-old Glaswegian singer-songwriter recorded at Abbey Road, and notable for the lush orchest...more →
10cc
Mercury 9102-501
“Terrible” ProgJukebox picks: “I Wanna Rule The World” (6.2) • “How Dare You” (3.5) • “Art For Arts Sake” (3.5)
Fourth album from the Stockport four recorded, as usual, at their own hometown Strawberry Studios. Once again, all playe...more →
Black Sabbath
Vertigo 9102-750
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “You Won’t Change Me” (4.8) • “Back Street Kids” (4.3) • “Dirty Women” (4.0)
The core four-piece are augmented by Gerald Woodruffe on keyboards. I’m really not digging their new “theatre rock opera...more →
Kiss
Casablanca NBLP-7025
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “Beth” (4.6) • “Detroit Rock City” (4.5) • “Great Expectations” (4.5)
Fourth album from the glammed-up New York hard-rockers, partnering with producer Bob Ezrin, who had previously worked wi...more →
Aerosmith
Columbia PC-34165
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “Nobody's Fault” (4.5) • “Sick As A Dog” (4.4) • “Rats In The Cellar” (4.2)
On their fourth LP in four years the 5-piece line up: Steven Tyler (lead vocals, keyboards, harmonica), Joe Perry (guita...more →
Boz Scaggs
Columbia PC-33920
“Terrible” PopJukebox picks: “Lido Shuffle” (5.7) • “Love Me Tomorrow” (4.3) • “What Can I Say” (3.9)
On his seventh long player, the big horns and strings enhanced production pays dividends, and the 31-year-old singer-son...more →
Eagles
Asylum Records 7E-1084
“Dire” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Hotel California” (5.1) • “Wasted Time (Reprise)” (4.0) • “Wasted Time” (3.0)
One of the biggest selling albums of all-time, and their second successive #1 in the Billboard 200. It's a bit of a conc...more →
Rush
Mercury SRM-1-1079
“Dire” Prog; RockJukebox picks: “The Twilight Zone” (4.0) • “Something For Nothing” (3.2) • “Lessons” (2.6)
Fourth album from the Toronto prog-rock trio who line up: Geddy Lee (vocals, bass guitar), Alex Lifeson (electric and ac...more →
Elvis Presley
RCA Victor APL1-1506
“Dire” Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” (4.4) • “Hurt” (3.8) • “Never Again” (3.7)
A live-in-the-studio affair, recorded at his Graceland home in February '76 and released a few months later in May. His ...more →
Boston
Epic JE-34188
“Dire” RockJukebox picks: “More Than A Feeling” (6.5) • “Smokin’” (3.1) • “Peace Of Mind” (3.0)
The debut album from the Boston group masterminded by Tom Scholz was assembled and well-produced on a hard-rock meets po...more →
Genesis
Charisma CDS-4001
“An embarrassment” ProgJukebox picks: “Dance On A Volcano” (3.0) • “Mad Man Moon” (2.4) • “Robbery, Assault And Battery” (2.4)
Following the departure of founding member, main lyricist and lead vocalist, Peter Gabriel, the remaining four, after so...more →
The Hollies
Polydor 2383 421
“An embarrassment” Pop; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Star” (2.7) • “Crocodile Woman (She Bites)” (1.8) • “Write On” (1.7)
Just when I think they can't get any lower, back they come with this excruciating half-hour endurance test, coming acros...more →
Genesis
Charisma CDS-4005
“An embarrassment” ProgJukebox picks: “Unquiet Slumbers For The Sleepers…” (2.0) • “Eleventh Earl Of Mar” (1.7) • “Wot Gorilla?” (1.6)
Following on from February's “A Trick Of The Tail”, the new Phil-Collins-fronted incarnation of Genesis delivered a seco...more →
Bay City Rollers
Bell Records SYBEL-8005
“An embarrassment” Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “Dedication” (3.4) • “Yesterday’s Hero” (2.1) • “Don’t Worry Baby” (1.7)
Following on from consecutive #1 hit singles in '75 with “Bye, Bye, Baby” and “Give A Little Love”, the heat of the supe...more →
Stephen Bishop
ABC Records ABCD-954
“Pathetically abysmal” Songwriter; Pop Ballad; PopJukebox picks: “Little Italy” (0.3) • “Madge” (0.2) • “Guitar Interlude” (0.1)
Debut album from the 24-year-old singer-songwriter who makes Elton John seem like Sid Vicious. The drummer seems terrifi...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1976 |
Album Charts by year
“A-list”
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
“B-list”
1943 1945 1946 1950 1951 1952 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Album Charts by decade
“A-list”
1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s