Album Chart of 1978
| ← 1977 |  |
1979 → |
| Album Chart of 1978 |
72 tracks, runtime 5h 11m. 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 
MASCHINEN MÄNNER SIND NUMMER EINS!
Why put yourself through the hassle and boredom of album-launch photo-shoots when pretend-robots can do the job just as well? The Kraftwerk futurists from Dusseldorf dared to be different in many different ways, and this set them apart from the stars of yesterday and today. In 1978, they were at the peak of their mighty powers, capping a phenomenal 18 months for this most visionary of groups.
Elsewhere, English music is going from strength to strength on the back of last years’ Punk explosion, and leftfield music fans are revelling in glorious offerings from Buzzcocks, The Jam, Elvis Costello, Public Image Ltd. and Kevin Coyne, as well as high quality debuts from Siouxsie and The Banshees, Alternative TV and The Adverts.
The overall rise in quality is measurable in my ratings system; for the first-time ever, only a rating of “7” or more is good enough for a Top 30 place.
The Saints, from Australia, typify the great leap forward, with a quite magnificent follow-up to their ’77 debut.
Jamaican music continues to reverberate strongly, with terrific LPs from Bob Marley and The Wailers, Prince Far I, Culture, Poet and The Roots (led by Jamaican-born poet Linton Kwesi Johnson) and Lee Perry with his Upsetters.
Revolution is afoot in Rhodesia, and Thomas Mapfumo risks life and limb by putting music at the heart of the battle, although this is known only to his people in his homelands at this time.
In the States, old dogs Captain Beefheart and Lou Reed underline their durability, whilst newcomers Pere Ubu demonstrate that they’ve been watching and learning, as they forge ahead with the “Avant-Garage” new tricks of now.
The Jukebox Rebel
28-Sep-2016
Kraftwerk
Kling Klang 1 C 058-32 843
“A masterpiece” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Das Modell” (9.6) • “Spacelab” (9.5) • “Neonlicht” (9.4)
Released in May ’78, the seventh Kraftwerk LP was the group’s poppiest offering to date, yet still retained an allure fo...more →
Buzzcocks
United Artists Records UAG-30159
“A classic” Punk; New WaveJukebox picks: “Sixteen” (9.9) • “You Tear Me Up” (9.4) • “Fast Cars” (9.2)
Following the seminal “Spiral Scratch” EP and two cracking non-album singles – “Orgasm Addict” and “What Do I Get” – the...more →
The Jam
Polydor 2442-155
“Excellent” New Wave; Punk; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Down In The Tube Station At Midnight” (10) • “’A’ Bomb In Wardour Street” (9.8) • “English Rose” (9.7)
What an absolute gem this is; they released two good albums last year, but ‘78s “All Mod Cons” is on a different level a...more →
Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Radar Records RAD-3
“Excellent” New WaveJukebox picks: “Night Rally” (10) • “Pump It Up” (9.8) • “(I Don’t Want To) Go To Chelsea” (9.5)
Following the success of “My Aim Is True”, Costello wasted no time in forming his own permanent backing band, and The At...more →
The Saints
Harvest SHSP-4078
“Excellent” Punk; New WaveJukebox picks: “No, Your Product” (9.8) • “Private Affair” (9.3) • “This Perfect Day” (9.2)
Eschewing the raw and gritty Stooges-inspired sound of their debut, the Saints opted for a generally brighter, breezier ...more →
Public Image Ltd.
Virgin V-2114
“Excellent” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Public Image” (9.3) • “Low Life” (9.0) • “Religion I” (8.3)
Johnny Rotten had started the year on stage in America with the imploding Sex Pistols, infamously sneering “this is no...more →
Bob Marley and The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9517
“Excellent” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Time Will Tell” (10) • “Is This Love” (9.7) • “Easy Skanking” (9.5)
Cleverly annexed from the “Exodus” sessions, “Kaya” stands cohesively as an album of peace, love and marijuana. Once I g...more →
Prince Far I
Front Line FL-1021
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Daughters Of Zion” (9.2) • “In Your Walking Remember Jah Jah” (9.1) • “So Long” (8.4)
Far I’s second album for Virgin this year was undoubtedly the stronger, even if it is preachy, harking back to “Psal...more →
Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3256
“Brilliant” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Candle Mambo” (10) • “Tropical Hot Dog Night” (9.4) • “When I See Mommy I Feel Like A Mummy” (8.3)
An album called “Bat Chain Puller” had been recorded in ’76 for DiscReet in 1976, but label co-owner Frank Zappa withhel...more →
Culture
Front Line FL-1016
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Behold” (9.6) • “Work On Natty” (8.6) • “Iron Sharpening Iron” (8.2)
Following royalty disputes with Joe Gibbs, Culture had been “looking around” for a new production partner and had record...more →
Kevin Coyne
Virgin V-2096
“Brilliant” Songwriter; Rock n Roll / RockabillyJukebox picks: “Brothers Of Mine” (10) • “Dynamite Daze” (9.5) • “Juliet And Mark” (9.2)
Co-produced by Kevin Coyne and Bob Ward, who also plays on the album. The contributors are: Kevin Coyne (vocal, guitar);...more →
Ramones
Sire SRK-6063
“Brilliant” PunkJukebox picks: “I Wanna Be Sedated” (10) • “Questioningly” (8.0) • “Bad Brain” (7.8)
The fourth Ramones already? They didn’t hang about in any way whatsoever, that’s for sure. “Road To Ruin” isn’t as stron...more →
Poet and The Roots
Front Line FL-1017
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Five Nights Of Bleeding” (9.0) • “Dread Beat An’ Blood” (8.8) • “Man Free” (8.3)
Further to the publication of his 1975 book of poetry, “Dread Beat and Blood”, Linton Kwesi Johnson became a revered nam...more →
Thomas Mapfumo and The Acid Band
Chimurenga ASLP-5000
“Brilliant” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Matiregerera Mambo” (8.4) • “Murandu” (8.2) • “Hwa-Hwa [1978 song]” (8.1)
Since the 1960s, Thomas Mapfumo had been playing western rock music with his band, The Springfields, in the pubs and clu...more →
The Upsetters
Lion Of Judah LPIR-0001
“Brilliant” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Dyon-Anasaw” (9.8) • “The Lion” (9.0) • “Psyche And Trim” (8.2)
Following “Scratch The Super Ape” and “Roast Fish Collie Weed And Corn Bread”, Lee Perry continued his fine form with “R...more →
Culture
Joe Gibbs Record Globe
“Really good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Behold I Come” (9.5) • “So Long Babylon A Fool I (And I)” (9.4) • “Love Shines Brighter” (7.7)
Culture’s second and final LP for Joe Gibbs was, once again, brilliantly recorded with “The Professionals” studio band, ...more →
Buzzcocks
United Artists Records UAG-30197
“Really good” New Wave; PunkJukebox picks: “Ever Fallen In Love” (8.8) • “Late For The Train” (8.4) • “Love Is Lies” (8.1)
“Love Bites” arrived just six months after the debut and, already, there’s a remarkable difference in the band’s sound, ...more →
Siouxsie and The Banshees
Polydor POLD-5009
“Really good” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Mirage” (9.6) • “Metal Postcard (Mittageisen)” (8.8) • “Overground” (8.5)
With the confrontational explosion of British Punk anything now seemed possible, and the Banshees, commanded by Siouxsie...more →
The Stranglers
United Artists Records UAG-30222
“Really good” Punk; New Wave; Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Nice ’n’ Sleazy” (10) • “Tank” (8.4) • “Toiler On The Sea” (7.9)
The third Stranglers LP in just 13 months arrived in May ’78, with labels and sleeves distinctly coloured to reflect the...more →
The Doors
Elektra 5E-502
“Really good” Poetry; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Angels And Sailors” (9.4) • “Newborn Awakening” (9.0) • “The Hitchhiker” (8.8)
Jim Morrison recorded quite a few sessions in 1969 and 1970 where he laid down some poetry and stories, with the intent ...more →
The Patti Smith Group
Arista AB-4171
“Really good” RockJukebox picks: “High On Rebellion” (8.7) • “25th Floor” (8.0) • “We Three” (7.8)
After breaking several neck vertebrae as a result of her horrendous fall from stage at the beginning of last year, Patti...more →
Pere Ubu
Blank Records 001
“Really good” Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Life Stinks” (8.8) • “Real World” (8.0) • “Non-Alignment Pact” (7.9)
Serving bona-fide modernity as opposed to Kraftwerk's unrealistic variant, this peculiar quintet from Cleveland were jus...more →
Alternative TV
Deptford Fun City Records DLP-01
“Really good” Post-Punk; PunkJukebox picks: “Viva La Rock N’ Roll” (9.1) • “Still-Life [live ’78]” (8.6) • “Why Don’t You Do Me Right?” (7.9)
4 live tracks (recorded at the 100 Club in London on 7 February 1978) and 5 in the studio make up the strange but compel...more →
Lou Reed
Arista AB-4169
“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Street Hassle” (10) • “Gimmie Some Good Times [live]” (7.7) • “Dirt [live]” (7.4)
Lou’s eighth album of new music in seven years was the best of his solo career since the high-watermark of 1972s “Transf...more →
Lee Perry The Upsetter
Upsetter LPIR-0000
“Really good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Roast Fish And Cornbread” (9.2) • “Throw Some Water In” (9.0) • “Favourite Dish” (8.0)
Incredibly, this was the 20th new music LP from the prolific producer, and the first which fully featured him on lead vo...more →
The Boomtown Rats
Ensign ENVY-3
“Really good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Rat Trap” (9.6) • “Like Clockwork” (9.3) • “She’s So Modern” (9.0)
A massive improvement on last years’ self-titled debut, “A Tonic For The Troops” found the Rats playing to their own str...more →
The Adverts
Bright Records BRL-201
“Really good” PunkJukebox picks: “One Chord Wonders” (8.7) • “On Wheels” (8.2) • “Great British Mistake” (7.8)
I keep reading stories about how these misfits couldn’t play to save themselves – a tale backed-up by themselves on thei...more →
The Clash
CBS S-CBS-82431
“Really good” Punk; New WaveJukebox picks: “Tommy Gun” (9.9) • “Safe European Home” (8.8) • “English Civil War” (7.2)
Much against the prevailing punk trend, The Clash took their time with the second album – it arrived fully 18 months aft...more →
Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje
Masterpiece Records LMS-535
“Really good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Ujabulisa Abantu” (9.2) • “Ekhaya Kulezontaba” (8.4) • “Izindlela Ziyahlangana” (8.1)
As clearly marked on the label itself, this is an album of two distinct halves, with side 1 being described as the “soul...more →
Blondie
Chrysalis CHR-1166
“Really good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Picture This” (9.7) • “Sunday Girl” (8.9) • “Heart Of Glass” (8.5)
The album blasts in with a killer version of The Nerves’ 1976 single, “Hanging On The Telephone”, and Blondie boss t...more →
X-Ray Spex
EMI INS-3023
“Good” Punk; New WaveJukebox picks: “Obsessed With You” (8.0) • “Germ Free Adolescents” (7.9) • “Plastic Bag” (7.7)
Having given up on her fledgling career as Britain's answer to Susan Cadogan, 19-year-old Marian Elliott (soon to be re-...more →
Blondie
Chrysalis CHR-1166
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “(I’m Always) Touched By Your Presence Dear” (10) • “Denis” (9.5) • “I Didn’t Have The Nerve To Say No” (9.2)
There’s plenty of high-class action on the first side of “Plastic Letters” with the two glorious singles, “Denis” (t...more →
Devo
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3239
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Space Junk” (8.0) • “Come Back Jonee” (7.5) • “Gut Feeling / Slap Your Mammy” (7.4)
De-evolution = the theory that we're de-evolving as a species was initially a bit of a joke, but who's to say we aren't ...more →
John Cooper Clarke
CBS CBS-83132
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Readers Wives” (8.2) • “(I Married A) Monster From Outer Space” (8.1) • “Health Fanatic” (7.2)
Major label mania strikes - Cooper Clarke hits Epic! The first of three Cooper Clarke albums to officially feature The I...more →
The Only Ones
CBS CBS-82830
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Another Girl, Another Planet” (10) • “No Peace For The Wicked” (7.8) • “The Immortal Story” (7.7)
Battling through their scarcely disguised pub rock tendencies, the debut from this quartet emerges triumphantly largely ...more →
Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl
Blackthorne Records BR-1059
“Good” FolkJukebox picks: “White Wind” (9.2) • “Cut-Price Hero” (7.2) • “Emily” (7.0)
The husband-and-wife duo continue with their fine 1970s form, with musical accompaniment from their sons Neil and Calum ...more →
Magazine
Virgin V-2100
“Good” New WaveJukebox picks: “Shot By Both Sides” (8.8) • “Definitive Gaze” (7.3) • “Recoil” (6.6)
Even before Buzzcocks' seminal “Spiral Scratch” EP was released in late Janaury, 1977, Howard Devoto had announced his d...more →
Tubeway Army
Beggars Banquet BEGA-4
“Good” New Wave; Post-PunkJukebox picks: “Jo The Waiter” (8.4) • “Listen To The Sirens” (7.6) • “The Life Machine” (7.5)
10th February 1978 was a bit of a monumental day in the life of Gary Webb. With just under a month left as a teenager, h...more →
Prince Far I
Front Line FL-1013
“Good” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Moses, Moses” (8.8) • “Message From The King” (7.1) • “Black Man Land” (6.6)
The biggest story in the 1978 world of reggae music came as a result of Richard Branson and Johnny Rotten's visit to Jam...more →
Jean Michel Jarre
Disques Dreyfus FDM-83150
“Good” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Equinoxe, part 5” (8.7) • “Equinoxe, part 8” (7.0) • “Equinoxe, part 6” (7.0)
After the huge success of “Oxygène”, Jarre delivered the follow-up in December '78, exactly two years later. The wondrou...more →
Lolo-Lolitta and his Likwe-Likwe Band
Establishment Bonne Musique EBM-LPS-005
“Good” AfricanaJukebox picks: “Ambiance A Abidjan” (7.0) • “Malelissa” (6.4) • “Samboulouma” (6.1)
Recorded in the Ivorian capital of Abidjan, this lively and entertaining production features 3 pieces, with the blisteri...more →
Brian Eno
Polydor 2310-647
“Decent enough” AmbientJukebox picks: “1/1” (8.1) • “1/2” (6.2) • “2/2” (5.9)
“Brian Eno? What does ‘e know?” I used to scoff, back in the day when I was an ignorant youth. Sorry about that Brian. K...more →
R. D. Burman
Polydor 2392-147
“Decent enough” Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Title Music” (9.2) • “Naag Devta” (8.3) • “Aaina Wohi Rehta Hai” (7.1)
I knew before I picked up this soundtrack that I was getting the classic Title Music for my money – an epic of the c...more →
Pere Ubu
Chrysalis CHR-1207
“Decent enough” Dubbeat; New WaveJukebox picks: “Navvy” (8.7) • “Dub Housing” (7.1) • “On The Surface” (6.9)
The second album of the year from the vocally imaginative David Thomas and his experimental gang of avant-garage adventu...more →
Talking Heads
Sire SRK-6058
“Decent enough” New WaveJukebox picks: “Thank You For Sending Me An Angel” (8.0) • “I’m Not In Love” (7.0) • “With Our Love” (6.8)
“When we were making this album I remembered this stupid discussion we had about titles for the last album. At that ti...more →
Big Star
PVC Records PVC-7903
“Decent enough” Moodcore; Songwriter; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Kanga Roo” (9.8) • “Stroke It Noel” (8.3) • “Nighttime” (7.1)
Their “#1 Record” long-player of ’72 may have been highly-rated but was a bit of a soft-rock snooze-fest for me. “Third”...more →
The Police
A&M Records AMLH-68502
“Decent enough” New WaveJukebox picks: “So Lonely” (9.5) • “Can’t Stand Losing You” (8.8) • “Roxanne” (8.8)
Just as well they called it “Outlandos d'Amour” coz “Outlaws of Love” just sounds naff! Cheap japes aside, this decent d...more →
Penetration
Virgin V-2109
“Decent enough” New Wave; PunkJukebox picks: “Future Daze” (7.3) • “Life's A Gamble” (6.9) • “Freemoney” (6.8)
With two non-album singles and a Peel session behind them, the artful County Durham group of pop-rockers / new wavers / ...more →
Wreckless Eric
Stiff Records SEEZ-6
“Decent enough” New WaveJukebox picks: “Whole Wide World” (9.7) • “Reconnez Cherie” (7.0) • “There Isn't Anything Else” (6.8)
The debut album from the Ian-Dury-inspired 23-year-old singer-songwriter-guitarist, known by day as Eric Goulden. His (t...more →
Loudon Wainwright III
Arista AB-4173
“Decent enough” SongwriterJukebox picks: “Fear With Flying” (8.0) • “Golfin’ Blues” (7.2) • “The Heckler” (6.9)
The second of his two-record deal with Arista was, rather unfairly, a critical and commercial flop. Your journeyman is o...more →
The Residents
Ralph Records RR-0278
“Decent enough” Avant-Garde; New WaveJukebox picks: “Hello Skinny” (7.3) • “The Electrocutioner” (7.2) • “Semolina” (6.9)
The fifth album from the determinedly anonymous art collective is regarded as one of their most accessible works; I can'...more →
Tom Waits
Asylum Records 6E-162
“Decent enough” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; SongwriterJukebox picks: “Romeo Is Bleeding” (7.0) • “Wrong Side Of The Road” (6.6) • “Somewhere” (6.4)
The first Tom Waits album where Jazz doesn't emerge as the foremost genre. The story goes that part way through the sess...more →
Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band
Arhoolie Records 1078
“Decent enough” Blues / Rhythm n BluesJukebox picks: “Tante Na Na” (8.4) • “Grand Prix” (7.2) • “Hungry Man Blues” (7.0)
Fine LP from the 53-year-old “King Of Zydeco”, produced by Chris Strachwitz and recorded on April 25th, 1977 at Sea-Sain...more →
Steel Pulse
Island Records ILPS-9502
“Average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Prediction” (6.9) • “Sound Check” (6.6) • “Soldiers” (6.3)
Three years of hard work had led the Birmingham group to Island Records, who were seemingly hellbent on becoming a world...more →
Peter Tosh
Intel Diplo DSR-6923
“Average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Dem Ha Fe Get A Beatin’” (6.6) • “(You Gotta Walk) Don’t Look Back” (6.5) • “Bush Doctor” (6.5)
A good move for Tosh business wise, his 4th solo album in 4 years was tied in with the Rolling Stones label, involved Ja...more →
John Prine
Asylum Records 6E-139
“Average” CountryJukebox picks: “Sabu Visits The Twin Cities Alone” (8.2) • “Crooked Piece Of Time” (6.4) • “The Hobo Song” (6.4)
Disillusioned with Atlantic, the 31-year-old singer-songwriter jumped ship to Asylum Records and, after a lot of wasted ...more →
Justin Hines and The Dominoes
Mango MLPS-9532
“Average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Positive Way” (6.7) • “Let Jah Arise” (6.2) • “Help Your Falling Brother” (6.1)
The second long-player from the Rastafarian convert, once again produced by Jack Ruby with a pucker cast, the busy studi...more →
Nick Lowe
Radar Records RAD-1
“Average” Pop; New WaveJukebox picks: “I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass” (7.8) • “So It Goes” (7.2) • “Marie Provost” (6.7)
Debut album from the 28-year-old singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist, taking some timeout as the bassist with Rockpi...more →
Funkadelic
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3209
“Average” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “One Nation Under A Groove” (8.4) • “Who Says A Funk Band Can’t Play Rock?!” (6.5) • “Groovallegiance” (6.2)
Their most celebrated work, critically and commercially, arrived in September '78. “Let's dance our way to freedom” is t...more →
Japan
Ariola Hansa AHAL-8007
“Average” New WaveJukebox picks: “Obscure Alternatives” (7.0) • “The Tenant” (6.8) • “Suburban Berlin” (6.4)
They stick with the German Ariola Hansa label for this October '78 release and prove to all and sundry what a difference...more →
Warren Zevon
Asylum Records 6E-118
“Average” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Werewolves Of London” (10) • “Excitable Boy” (6.6) • “Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner” (6.2)
The third album from the 30-year-old wry-rocker gave him his only Top 10 success on the album front, and his only Top 40...more →
Bruce Springsteen
Columbia JC-35318
“Average” RockJukebox picks: “Factory” (7.7) • “Candy's Room” (6.6) • “Darkness On The Edge Of Town” (6.1)
Shockingly, legal wrangles delayed Springsteen's follow up to “Born To Run” for almost three whole years, but the highly...more →
XTC
Virgin V-2108
“Average” New Wave; DubbeatJukebox picks: “Meccanik Dancing (Oh We Go!)” (6.8) • “Battery Brides (Andy Paints Brian)” (6.7) • “Life Is Good In The Greenhouse” (6.1)
Their second album - and their second of 1978 - arrived in October, fronted by a wonderfully sarcastic mini-essay on the...more →
Automat
EMI 3C-064-18323
“Average” ElectronicaJukebox picks: “Mecadence” (6.2) • “Ultraviolet” (5.5) • “Droid” (5.3)
Italian composer Romano Musumarra was keen to get a pioneering album of electronica out into the marketplace, and with t...more →
Kate Bush
EMI EMC-3223
“Below average” Songwriter; Cerebral Pop; Pop BalladJukebox picks: “The Man With The Child In His Eyes” (7.3) • “Wuthering Heights” (7.0) • “The Kick Inside” (6.6)
Debut album from the piano playing 19-year-old singer-songwriter from Kent, 8 years after she started writing songs. Wha...more →
Augustus Pablo
Message DSR-7108
“Below average” ReggaeJukebox picks: “Natural Way” (6.8) • “East Of The River Nile” (6.2) • “Chant To King Selassie I” (6.0)
2 years passed before Pablo delivered the follow-up to “King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown”, in the meantime he was occupi...more →
John Cooper Clarke
Rabid Records NOZE-1
“Below average” PoetryJukebox picks: “(I Married A) Monster From Outer Space [live]” (7.5) • “Film Extra’s Extra [live]” (7.0) • “Nothing [live]” (7.0)
The debut album from the 29-year-old John Cooper-Clarke aka the Bard of Salford aka the Punk Poet. The posh double-barre...more →
The Tulips
Ring RG-K-1025
“Below average” Africana; PopJukebox picks: “Mama Ka Sibongile” (7.0) • “Sofasilahlane” (6.5) • “Uskhandamayeza” (5.9)
In the disco era, an mbaqanga-soul fusion is proving to be popular in South Africa, and this release on the EMI subsidia...more →
Joan Armatrading
A&M Records AMLH-64732
“Below average” Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Let It Last” (8.0) • “Bottom To The Top” (8.0) • “What Do You Want” (6.2)
Arriving in September '78 was Joan Armatrading's fifth long-player, in collaboration with producer Glyn Johns for the th...more →
Squeeze
A&M Records AMLH-68465
“Below average” New Wave; RockJukebox picks: “Take Me I'm Yours” (9.1) • “The Call” (5.8) • “Get Smart” (5.5)
Debut album from the London five-piece, jokingly named after the oft-derided fifth Velvet Underground LP. Are they a tri...more →
Bob Dylan
Columbia JC-35453
“Below average” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “No Time To Think” (6.6) • “Where Are You Tonight? (Journey Through Dark Heat)” (6.5) • “Baby, Stop Crying” (5.4)
The unpredictable Bob Dylan of the 1970s continues to disappoint me – after the culturally brilliant French/Mexican deto...more →
Chic
Atlantic SD-19209
“Poor” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “I Want Your Love” (7.1) • “Le Freak [12" version]” (6.6) • “(Funny) Bone” (6.3)
The big production on their second long-player gave the stylish New Yorkers their biggest album success, hitting #4 in t...more →
The Cars
Elektra 6E-135
“Poor” New WaveJukebox picks: “My Best Friend’s Girl” (7.2) • “Just What I Needed” (5.9) • “I’m In Touch With Your World” (4.7)
The debut album from the Boston 5-piece arrived in June '78, trading in that quintessentially Amercian brand of new wave...more →
Willie Colón and Rubén Blades
Fania Records JM-537
“Poor” LatinJukebox picks: “Ojos” (5.2) • “Dime” (5.0) • “Plástico” (4.8)
Regarded as an essential classic by salsa and latin aficionados, and one of the greatest selling LPs of all-time in thos...more →
Cheap Trick
Epic JE-35312
“Poor” RockJukebox picks: “Surrender” (5.9) • “Heaven Tonight” (5.8) • “Auf Wiedersehen” (5.5)
Released in May 1978, this was the third album from the power-pop quartet outta Illinois, beloved of Joey Ramone. I coul...more →
Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
Arista AB-4189
“Lame” R n B; Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Third World Revolution” (6.0) • “Angel Dust” (5.4) • “Show Bizness” (5.2)
Keeping up his prolific decade, the 8th Gil Scott-Heron new music album arrived in September '78, the fifth of his long ...more →
Parliament
Casablanca NBLP-7125
“Lame” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)” (6.7) • “The Motor-Booty Affair” (4.8) • “One Of Those Funky Things” (4.6)
The sixth album in five years from the pop branch of the Clinton funk empire begins with a film-esque voiceover thus: “...more →
Dire Straits
Vertigo 9102-021
“Lame” Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Wild West End” (5.8) • “Down To The Waterline” (5.2) • “Sultans Of Swing” (5.2)
It would become easy and fashionable to knock Dire Straits in the 80s, and sometimes for very good reason, but three tra...more →
Japan
Ariola Hansa AHAL-8004
“Terrible” New WaveJukebox picks: “Don't Rain On My Parade” (5.3) • “Communist China” (5.0) • “Adolescent Sex” (4.2)
The debut album from this young guitar-funk 5-piece arrived in April '78, the South Londoners lining-up: David Sylvian (...more →
Canned Heat
Takoma TAK-7066
“Terrible” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Blues Rock / Soul RockJukebox picks: “Human Condition” (5.3) • “She’s Lookin’ Good” (4.4) • “Open Up Your Back Door” (4.0)
Bob Hite’s excessive drinking and drug use on stage is leading to tumultuous line-up changes behind the scenes at this t...more →
Van Halen
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3075
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “Runnin' With The Devil” (4.7) • “You Really Got Me” (4.5) • “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love” (4.3)
The debut album from the Pasadena hard-rockers - named after the band's two Dutch brothers - arrived in February '78. Th...more →
Black Sabbath
Vertigo 9102-751
“Terrible” RockJukebox picks: “Never Say Die” (5.1) • “Breakout” (4.8) • “Shock Wave” (3.6)
The final Black Sabbath album to feature Ozzy Osbourne as the band’s lead singer starts promisingly with the “Boys Are B...more →
Joe Ely
MCA Records MCA-2333
“Terrible” CountryJukebox picks: “Boxcars” (5.6) • “Honky Tonkin'” (4.2) • “West Texas Waltz” (3.8)
Joe Strummer was a massive fan. There's a slinky allure with “Boxcars”, I'll give him that, but that's about yer lot...more →
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
Capitol Records SW-11698
“Terrible” Soft Rock / A.O.R.; RockJukebox picks: “Hollywood Nights” (5.0) • “We’ve Got Tonight” (4.2) • “Feel Like A Number” (3.8)
The tenth album in ten years from the Detroit-born singer-songwriter-guitarist, released the day before his 33rd birthda...more →
Fats Domino
Antagon Musikgesellschaft ALP-3215
“Terrible” PopJukebox picks: “After Hours / When I Lost My Baby” (5.7) • “Something About You Baby” (4.1) • “I Just Can’t Get (New Orleans Off My Mind)” (4.0)
First new Fats Domino LP in 7 years. Dear oh dear, he’s gone all cod-funk in a Dr. Hook style. Only, my pants don’t wann...more →
Wings
MPL PAS-10012
“Dire” Pop; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Famous Groupies” (4.5) • “Morse Moose And The Grey Goose” (4.5) • “I’m Carrying” (4.0)
Same quintet for the third album in a row, namely Paul McCartney (vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion, vi...more →
Marvin Gaye
Tamla T-364LP2
“Dire” Soul; Disco / Funk; R n B; Soul BalladJukebox picks: “A Funky Space Reincarnation” (5.3) • “Anger” (4.6) • “You Can Leave, But It’s Going To Cost You” (4.0)
While I was listening to this over again for the review I was so appalled by what I was hearing that I started to doubt ...more →
Willie Nelson
Columbia JC-35305
“An embarrassment” Pop Ballad; Crooner / CabaretJukebox picks: “Blue Skies” (2.8) • “Stardust” (2.6) • “Moonlight In Vermont” (2.0)
The whole concept and execution of his “Red Headed Stranger” LP of a few years earlier delivered some decent results for...more →
Genesis
Charisma CDS-4010
“An embarrassment” Prog; Soft Rock / A.O.R.Jukebox picks: “Follow You, Follow Me” (3.9) • “Down And Out” (1.8) • “Scenes From A Night’s Dream” (1.4)
Disillusioned guitarist Steve Hackett had jumped ship, leaving Phil Collins (vocals, drums, percussion), Tony Banks (key...more →
Grace Jones
Island Records ILPS-9525
“An embarrassment” Disco / FunkJukebox picks: “Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes)” (2.0) • “Do Or Die” (1.4) • “All On A Summers Night” (0.9)
Apalling stuff. No character to this cabaret disco tripe. Even worse than her debut of last year and that’s saying somet...more →
| see also: (B-list) Album Chart of 1978 |
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