Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s (part 2)

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Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s (part 2)

1-100 101-200 201-300 301-400 401-500 501-600 601-700 701-800

FOR YOUR PLEASURE
Roxy Music
Island Records ILPS-9232 (1973)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Do The Strand” (10) • “In Every Dream Home A Heartache” (8.3) • “For Your Pleasure” (7.8)
The second Roxy long player was every bit the equal of last years’ cracking debut, as they continue to push in new direc...more →

MARQUEE MOON
Television
Elektra 7E-1098 (1977)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Venus” (9.6) • “Marquee Moon” (8.2) • “See No Evil” (7.6)
At the time of release in February ’77 they were: Tom Verlaine (27, guitar, keyboards, vocals); Richard Lloyd (25, guita...more →

ROXY MUSIC
Roxy Music
Island Records ILPS-9200 (1972)

“Really good” Cerebral Pop; New Wave; Prog

Jukebox picks: “Re-Make/Re-Model” (9.7) • “Ladytron” (8.8) • “Bitters End” (7.5)
From out of nowhere in the summer of ’72 came the self-titled debut LP from Roxy Music – the new art-rock sound of now. ...more →

LEGALIZE IT
Peter Tosh
Columbia PC-34253 (1976)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox 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 →

THE CLASH
The Clash
CBS CBS-82000 (1977)

“Really good” Punk

Jukebox picks: “Police And Thieves” (9.4) • “White Riot” (9.2) • “Career Opportunities” (8.2)
The Clash made their debut on 4th July 1976, supporting the Sex Pistols at the Black Swan in Sheffield. By the turn of t...more →

CASE HISTORY
Kevin Coyne
Dandelion Records 2310-228 (1972)

“Really good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues; Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Uggy's Song” (9.0) • “Sand All Yellow” (8.6) • “God Bless the Bride” (8.5)
The final LP to be released on John Peel’s Dandelion Records was a little beauty; all recorded in a single afternoon’s w...more →

RADIO ETHIOPIA
Patti Smith Group
Arista AL-4097 (1976)

“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock

Jukebox 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 →

BLACK AND WHITE
The Stranglers
United Artists Records UAG-30222 (1978)

“Really good” Punk; New Wave; Post-Punk

Jukebox 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 →

MARCUS GARVEY
Burning Spear
Island Records ILPS-9377 (1975)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Slavery Days” (9.4) • “The Invasion” (7.9) • “Resting Place” (7.8)
After two albums for Coxsone Dodd's Studio One label, the vocal trio of Winston Rodney (30, lead vocals), Delroy Hines (...more →

ALBUM II
Loudon Wainwright III
Atlantic SD-8291 (1971)

“Really good” Folk; Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Old Paint” (9.2) • “I Know I’m Unhappy / Suicide Song / Glenville Reel” (8.7) • “Be Careful, There’s A Baby In The House” (8.0)
The second LP from the 24 year-old purveyor of humour-laden singer-songwriter gloom, sometimes devoid of humour, was rel...more →

COLD FACT
Rodriguez
Sussex SXBS-7000 (1970)

“Really good” Folk Rock / Americana; Cerebral Pop

Jukebox picks: “Like Janis” (8.8) • “Crucify Your Mind” (8.7) • “Sugar Man” (8.2)
Sixto Rodriguez was the sixth son of Mexican working-class parents. The Detroit-born lad was 27-year-old when he served ...more →

NATTY REBEL
U-Roy
Virgin V-2059 (1976)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox 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 →

KENYAFRICA! 1
Daniel Kamau
Playa Sound PS-33001 (1976)

“Really good” Africana

Jukebox 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 →

BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
Simon and Garfunkel
Columbia KCS-9914 (1970)

“Really good” Folk Rock / Americana; Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Keep The Customer Satisfied” (9.7) • “Cecilia” (9.2) • “The Boxer” (9.0)
The fifth and final serving from the duo arrived in January ’70 and proved to be hugely entertaining; packed with vitali...more →

(GI)
Germs
Slash SR-103 (1979)

“Really good” Punk

Jukebox picks: “Lexicon Devil” (9.4) • “Shut Down (Annihilation Man)” (8.8) • “We Must Bleed” (8.3)
With so many albums in my collection it’s nearly impossible to remember where they all came from, but you always remembe...more →

CATCH A FIRE
The Wailers
Island Records ILPS 9241 (1973)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Stir It Up” (9.2) • “Stop That Train” (8.0) • “400 Years [1973 version]” (7.9)
Following their two LPs with Lee Perry, The Wailers delivered the first of their album’s conceived for the worldwide mar...more →

NOMA UNGAYAPHI BAKHALA NGATHI
Usizwe Namatshitshi
CBS LAB-4022 (1971)

“Really good” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Uyangizungeza Lombemu” (8.9) • “Madoda Sesikhathele” (8.2) • “Emakhuzeni” (8.0)
By the dawn of the seventies, there was more to the vibrant South African music scene than just Gallo Music. The popular...more →

ARMED FORCES
Elvis Costello and The Attractions
Radar Records RAD-14 (1979)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Oliver’s Army” (10) • “Green Shirt” (8.0) • “Busy Bodies” (8.0)
Costello and his band continue to shine brightly on “Armed Forces”, his one-and-only U.S. Top 10 album. “Emotional fasci...more →

THE B-52’S
The B-52s
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3355 (1979)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Rock Lobster” (9.5) • “Planet Claire” (9.0) • “6060-842” (8.2)
Fuelled by the underground success of their “Rock Lobster” single from last year, the Athens, Georgia-based quintet were...more →

AN AMERICAN PRAYERː JIM MORRISON
The Doors
Elektra 5E-502 (1978)

“Really good” Poetry; Blues Rock / Soul Rock

Jukebox 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 →

FORCES OF VICTORY
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Island Records ILPS-9566 (1979)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Sonny’s Lettah (Anti-Sus Poem)” (9.1) • “Fite Dem Back” (7.9) • “Want Fi Goh Rave” (7.2)
Arriving in May ’79 was the second long-player from the hard-hitting 27-year-old Brixton-poet, the first to bear his own...more →

INDODA MAHLATINI NA MADODANA
Indoda Mahlatini Na Madodana
Goli GOL (E) 307 (1979)

“Really good” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Akekho” (9.7) • “Sidedeleni Sigiye” (8.9) • “Isidwaba” (8.6)
At first I was thinking Madodana might be some sort of co-credited backing group, but I'm more inclined to guess the rea...more →

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH
John Prine
Atlantic SD-7240 (1972)

“Really good” Folk; Country

Jukebox picks: “The Great Compromise” (8.9) • “Souvenirs [original album version]” (8.3) • “Diamonds In The Rough” (8.0)
Stripped-back with a distinctive sense of ye-olde-tymey, John channels Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family and Luke the Dr...more →

GET ON THE GOOD FOOT
James Brown
Polydor PD-2-3004 (1972)

“Really good” Disco / Funk; Soul

Jukebox picks: “Nothing Beats A Try But A Fail” (9.4) • “Funky Side Of Town” (9.4) • “Please, Please, Please [1972 version]” (8.9)
3 back-album tracks get a reworking – “Cold Sweat” (Cold Sweat, 1967), “Please Please Please” (Please Please Ple...more →

CUMBOLO
Culture
Front Line FL-1040 (1979)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “They Never Love In This Time” (9.3) • “Poor Jah People” (8.7) • “Innocent Blood” (8.0)
Culture have been terrifically consistent from the start, and “Cumbolo” leaves their 70s report card in rude health. Tha...more →

AUTOBAHN
Kraftwerk
Philips 6305-231 (1974)

“Really good” Electronica

Jukebox picks: “Autobahn” (10) • “Morgenspaziergang” (8.3) • “Kometenmelodie 2” (7.8)
Hello world, Düsseldorf calling again. After 4 years of dicking around inconsequentially, and perhaps spurred on by the ...more →

THE QUEENS
The Queens
Yashingoma YGA-301 (1977)

“Really good” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Keba Bone” (9.1) • “Sukuma Ndoda” (8.4) • “Ikhubalo” (8.1)
Following a slew of singles for Cambridge Matiwane at Satbel in the preceding few years, Mahlathini and The Queens were ...more →

SAINT DOMINIC’S PREVIEW
Van Morrison
Warner Bros. Records BS-2633 (1972)

“Really good” Folk Rock / Americana; Soul

Jukebox picks: “Saint Dominic’s Preview” (8.7) • “Jackie Wilson Said (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)” (8.5) • “Almost Independence Day” (7.7)
Bright and breezy, Van’s 6th release was a bounce-back after the disappointing “Tupelo Honey” from last year, and fuses ...more →

EASTER
The Patti Smith Group
Arista AB-4171 (1978)

“Really good” Rock

Jukebox 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 →

DOUBLE DUBLINERS
The Dubliners
Columbia SCX-6513 (1972)

“Really good” Folk

Jukebox picks: “Gentleman Soldier [album version ‘72]” (9.2) • “The Springhill Disaster” (8.6) • “Smith Of Bristol” (7.9)
Recorded at Trend Studios, Dublin and Spot Studios, London. Produced by Phil Coulter. First issued in 1972 as “Double Du...more →

THE MODERN DANCE
Pere Ubu
Blank Records 001 (1978)

“Really good” Post-Punk

Jukebox 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 →

THE IMAGE HAS CRACKED
Alternative TV
Deptford Fun City Records DLP-01 (1978)

“Really good” Post-Punk; Punk

Jukebox 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 →

STREET HASSLE
Lou Reed
Arista AB-4169 (1978)

“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock

Jukebox 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 →

ROAST FISH COLLIE WEED AND CORN BREAD
Lee Perry The Upsetter
Upsetter LPIR-0000 (1978)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox 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 →

ZOMBIE
Fela and Afrika 70
Coconut PMLP-1003 (1976)

“Really good” Disco / Funk; Dubbeat

Jukebox 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 →

A TONIC FOR THE TROOPS
The Boomtown Rats
Ensign ENVY-3 (1978)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

CROSSING THE RED SEA WITH THE ADVERTS
The Adverts
Bright Records BRL-201 (1978)

“Really good” Punk

Jukebox 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 →

ELECTRIC WARRIOR
T. Rex
Fly Records HIFLY-6 (1971)

“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock

Jukebox picks: “Mambo Sun” (9.2) • “Lean Woman Blues” (8.6) • “Get It On” (7.5)
Straight from the off on “Mambo Sun” Dr. Strange has me howling like a loon beneath the bebop moon. His new group ar...more →

HERE COME THE WARM JETS
Eno
Island Records ILPS-9268 (1974)

“Really good” New Wave; Cerebral Pop

Jukebox picks: “Here Come The Warm Jets” (8.4) • “Blank Frank” (8.2) • “Baby's On Fire” (8.0)
In his mid-20s, Brian Eno wasn’t messing about. Now that he had committed himself to a career in music, he wasn’t about ...more →

OXYGÈNE
Jean Michel Jarre
Les Disques Motors 2933-207 (1976)

“Really good” Electronica

Jukebox 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 →

NATTY DREAD
Bob Marley and The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9281 (1974)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Talkin’ Blues” (9.0) • “Bend Down Low [1974 version]” (8.0) • “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)” (7.8)
As is often the case with we humans, success breeds pressures and jealousies, and The Wailers were not immune. Sadly, th...more →

BORN TO RUN
Bruce Springsteen
Columbia PC-33795 (1975)

“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Born To Run” (9.4) • “Thunder Road” (7.9) • “Backstreets” (7.3)
The 25-year-old was out to colour-in the mid-70s grey of the AOR market and this was certainly achieved on a set which o...more →

JOHN PRINE
John Prine
Atlantic SD-8296 (1971)

“Really good” Country; Folk; Folk Rock / Americana

Jukebox picks: “Pretty Good” (9.1) • “Sam Stone [original album version]” (8.0) • “Far From Me [original abum version]” (7.8)
A product of Chicago’s country-folk revival of the late 60s, Prine was offered a recording contract by Jerry Wexler of A...more →

THE UNDERTONES
The Undertones
Sire ‎SRK-6071 (1979)

“Really good” Punk

Jukebox picks: “Here Comes The Summer [album version, issue #1]” (9.3) • “Jimmy Jimmy” (8.9) • “Male Model” (7.9)
There was only one thing more ridiculous than band’s from Dunfermline and Coventry making it big in ’79 – a band from De...more →

TEENAGE WARNING
Angelic Upstarts
Warner Bros. Records K-56717 (1979)

“Really good” Punk

Jukebox picks: “Teenage Warning” (9.4) • “The Murder Of Liddle Towers” (8.6) • “I’m An Upstart” (8.6)
“Teenage Warning” and “I’m An Upstart” on coloured vinyl were two of my very earliest 7” single purchases, altho...more →

THE SPOTLIGHT KID
Captain Beefheart
Reprise Records MS-2050 (1972)

“Really good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock

Jukebox picks: “Grows Fins” (10) • “There Ain’t No Santa Claus On The Evenin’ Stage” (9.5) • “When It Blows Its Stacks” (9.3)
Straight away with “The Spotlight Kid” something different was going on. Check that front cover! Rhinstone crooner alert...more →

SCARED TO DANCE
Skids
Virgin V-2116 (1979)

“Really good” Punk; New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Into The Valley” (9.8) • “Charles” (8.8) • “Of One Skin” (8.7)
Anythin’ Faye Fyffe can dae, these four fae Fife can dae better, ken? The fab-four on a quest to further Dunfermline’s b...more →

EQUAL RIGHTS
Peter Tosh
Columbia PC-34670 (1977)

“Really good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Get Up, Stand Up” (8.9) • “Downpressor Man” (8.2) • “Stepping Razor” (7.3)
Peter Tosh the stoner of ’76 turns into Peter Tosh the hardliner of ’77 – equal rights then we’ll talk peace. “Get Up,...more →

EVEN SERPENTS SHINE
The Only Ones
CBS CBS-83451 (1979)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “You’ve Got To Pay” (8.8) • “From Here To Eternity” (8.4) • “Someone Who Cares” (7.7)
One year on and the quality remains high on the second LP from the cracking London 4-piece, augmented by some cool assis...more →

BERLIN
Lou Reed
RCA Victor APL1-0207 (1973)

“Really good” Cerebral Pop

Jukebox picks: “Sad Song” (8.8) • “Caroline Says (II)” (8.3) • “Men Of Good Fortune” (7.9)
After his commercial breakthrough with “Transformer”, the purse strings were loosened at RCA and Lou got to work on an a...more →

THE PRIDE OF AFRICA
Amagugu with The Intuthuko Brothers
Kaya Lami KYL-2003 (1976)

“Really good” Africana

Jukebox 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 →

JAMMY SMEARS
Ivor Cutler
Virgin V-2065 (1976)

“Really good” Avant-Garde; Poetry; Storytelling

Jukebox 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 →

LIFE IN A DAY
Simple Minds
Zoom Records ZULP-1 (1979)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Chelsea Girl” (9.4) • “Life In A Day” (7.8) • “Wasteland” (7.6)
At last, a decent band from Glasgow, hallelujah. After 18 months of building momentum, the first-ever Simple Minds relea...more →

GIVE ’EM ENOUGH ROPE
The Clash
CBS S-CBS-82431 (1978)

“Really good” Punk; New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

CURTIS
Curtis Mayfield
Curtom CRS-8005 (1970)

“Really good” Soul

Jukebox picks: “(Don’t Worry) If There’s A Hell Below, We’re All Going To Go” (9.4) • “Move On Up” (8.5) • “The Other Side Of Town” (8.2)
The Impressions front-man stepped aside for this solo effort which arrived in September, 1970. It gave him the chance to...more →

UJABULISA ABANTU
Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje
Masterpiece Records LMS-535 (1978)

“Really good” Africana

Jukebox 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
Blondie
Private Stock PS-2023 (1976)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

PARALLEL LINES
Blondie
Chrysalis CHR-1166 (1978)

“Really good” New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

YOU CAN GET IT IF YOU REALLY WANT
Desmond Dekker
Trojan Records TBL-146 (1970)

“Really good” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Pickney Gal” (8.8) • “You Can Get It If You Really Want” (8.5) • “Peace Of Mind” (7.5)
With Desmond Dekker having taken up permanent residence in England in 1969, it was no great surprise when his third LP w...more →

TAGO MAGO
Can
United Artists Records UAS 29 211/12 X (1971)

“Good” Trance Rock

Jukebox picks: “Halleluhwah” (9.2) • “Oh Yeah” (7.9) • “Aumgn” (7.3)
Arriving in February 1971 was this boundary-pushing double-album set from Köln’s repetitive groove monsters. With Japane...more →

PARCEL OF ROGUES
Steeleye Span
Chrysalis CHR-1046 (1973)

“Good” Folk; Folk Rock / Americana

Jukebox picks: “Cam Ye O'er Frae France” (9.4) • “Rogues In A Nation” (9.2) • “One Misty Moisty Morning” (7.2)
In 1972, Steeleye Span had provided the soundtrack for a stage adaption of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Kidnapped” at the L...more →

SCHOOL DAYS
Scotty
Crystal Records 1006 (1971)

“Good” Reggae; Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Draw Your Brakes” (9.8) • “Sing Along” (8.7) • “Jam Rock Style” (8.0)
Already 4 years in the business, the debut LP from the 20-year-old showman arrived mid-way through 1971, produced by Der...more →

GERM FREE ADOLESCENTS
X-Ray Spex
EMI INS-3023 (1978)

“Good” Punk; New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

IN THE CITY
The Jam
Polydor 2383-447 (1977)

“Good” Punk; New Wave

Jukebox picks: “In The City” (10) • “Away From The Numbers” (8.7) • “Slow Down” (7.5)
On this debut set in May ’77, the suited and booted trio from Woking were: Paul Weller (18, vocals, guitar), Bruce Foxto...more →

T. REX
T. Rex
Fly Records HIFLY-2 (1970)

“Good” New Wave; Alternative Folk

Jukebox picks: “The Wizard [album version ’70]” (8.8) • “One Inch Rock [album version ’70]” (7.7) • “Seagull Woman” (7.6)
Arriving at the very end of 1970 was the 5th LP from the group which now lined up: Marc Bolan (23, vocals, guitar, bass,...more →

HA!-HA!-HA!
Ultravox!
Island Records ILPS-9505 (1977)

“Good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Distant Smile” (7.9) • “Hiroshima Mon Amour” (7.3) • “Artificial Life” (7.2)
Ultravox! were yet another of the hard-working groups of ’77 to release two album in the same year, with October’s “Ha!-...more →

JOIN HANDS
Siouxsie and The Banshees
Polydor ‎POLD-5024 (1979)

“Good” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Playground Twist” (9.5) • “Poppy Day” (7.2) • “The Lord’s Prayer” (7.2)
“Join Hands” was knocked for the bleakness by some critics but, hey, c’mon, some of us quite like a bit of bleakness in ...more →

SCRATCH THE SUPER APE
The Upsetters
Upsetter (1976)

“Good” Reggae

Jukebox 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 →

UNDER HEAVY MANNERS
Prince Far I
Joe Gibbs Music JGML-0023 (1977)

“Good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “Big Fight” (8.7) • “Rain A Fall” (7.5) • “Boz Rock” (7.0)
For the second time since gaining independence in ’62, Jamaica declared itself to be in a state of emergency in June ’76...more →

STARSAILOR
Tim Buckley
Straight STS-1064 (1970)

“Good” Prog

Jukebox picks: “Song To The Siren” (10) • “Come Here Woman” (8.2) • “Moulin Rouge” (7.2)
Things get proper weird on the formless “Starsailor”. A freeform rampage ranging from the beatless to the 17 to the 13 w...more →

FEAR OF MUSIC
Talking Heads
Sire SRK-6076 (1979)

“Good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “Memories Can’t Wait” (8.7) • “Air” (7.6) • “Electric Guitar” (7.2)
The third album from the New York based quartet arrived in August ’79, with Brian Eno on production duties for the secon...more →

DOOR DOOR
The Boys Next Door
Mushroom L-36931 (1979)

“Good” New Wave; Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Shivers” (9.0) • “The Nightwatchman” (7.8) • “Dive Position” (7.5)
On the Boys Next Door debut Nick Cave comments: “It was a complete wet dream that record. I hate it. It wreaks of a ba...more →

FAUST IV
Faust
Virgin V-2004 (1973)

“Good” New Wave

Jukebox picks: “It's A Bit Of A Pain” (8.1) • “Giggy Smile” (7.5) • “Just A Second / Picnic On A Frozen River, Deuxieme Tableau” (7.0)
The 5th album from these modern industrial urbanites was delivered in September 1973, and easily nestled into the affect...more →

PLASTIC LETTERS
Blondie
Chrysalis CHR-1166 (1978)

“Good” New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

SOON OVER BABALUMA
Can
United Artists Records UAS 29 673 I (1974)

“Good” Dubbeat

Jukebox picks: “Dizzy Dizzy” (8.3) • “Come Sta, La Luna” (7.7) • “Chain Reaction” (7.4)
Following “Future Days”, the unpredictable Damo Suzuki got married to a Jehovah's Witness and left the group, once again...more →

(I’M) STRANDED
The Saints
EMI EMC-2570 (1977)

“Good” Punk

Jukebox picks: “Erotic Neurotic” (8.0) • “(I’m) Stranded” (7.9) • “Messin' With The Kid” (7.7)
Long before DIY culture had become a buzz-phrase in the Punk scene, this quartet from Brisbane had been getting on with ...more →

LOLA VERSUS POWERMAN AND THE MONEYGOROUND, PART 1
The Kinks
Pye Records NSPL-18359 (1970)

“Good” Blues Rock / Soul Rock; Rock

Jukebox picks: “Apeman” (9.7) • “Top Of The Pops” (8.2) • “Lola” (7.8)
Having been reduced to a quartet in the springtime of ’69 when founding member Pete Quaife had left to pursue his own pr...more →

PARIS 1919
John Cale
Reprise Records MS-2131 (1973)

“Good” Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Half Past France” (9.3) • “The Endless Plain Of Fortune” (8.8) • “Paris 1919” (7.2)
At the Paris Peace Conference, 1919, the humiliated German aggressors were put in their place by the UK, the US, France,...more →

STARS OF AFRICA
Intuthuko Brothers
Kaya Lami KYL-2002 (1976)

“Good” Africana

Jukebox 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 →

FUN HOUSE
The Stooges
Elektra EKS-74071 (1970)

“Good” Proto-Punk

Jukebox picks: “1970” (8.3) • “T.V. Eye” (7.9) • “Dirt” (6.8)
No John Cale around for their second LP, this time produced in L.A. by former Kingsmen keyboardist, Don Gallucci. Iggy S...more →

LIVE AND COOKIN’ (AT ALICE’S REVISITED)
Howlin’ Wolf
Chess CH-50015 (1972)

“Good” Blues / Rhythm n Blues

Jukebox picks: “Call Me The Wolf [live '72]” (8.0) • “Mean Mistreater [live '72]” (7.9) • “When I Laid I Was Troubled [live '72]” (6.9)
The 62-year-old Howlin’ Wolf was on great form for what was, surprisingly, his first live LP. The set, mostly featuring ...more →

Qː ARE WE NOT MEN? Aː WE ARE DEVO!
Devo
Warner Bros. Records BSK-3239 (1978)

“Good” New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

REGGATTA DE BLANC
The Police
A&M Records AMLH-64792 (1979)

“Good” New Wave; Dubbeat

Jukebox picks: “The Bed’s Too Big Without You” (9.4) • “Message In A Bottle” (9.2) • “Walking On The Moon” (9.0)
Spurred on by the success of their reissued “Roxanne” and “Can’t Stand Losing You” singles from earlier in the year, the...more →

THE LAST POETS
The Last Poets
Douglas 3 (1970)

“Good” Hip Hop / Rap

Jukebox picks: “When The Revolution Comes” (8.7) • “New York, New York” (8.1) • “Niggers Are Scared Of Revolution” (7.6)
Martin Luther King and Martin X were dead, black anger was rising. The time was right for The Last Poets who were at the...more →

IKENGA GO MARRY ME
Ikenga Super Stars of Africa
RAS ASALPS-2 (1975)

“Good” Africana

Jukebox picks: “Ikenga In Africa” (7.7) • “Ikenga Go Marry Me” (6.0)
Nigeria’s Ikenga Super Stars of Africa, led by Vincent Okoroego, broke through all over the continent with this release,...more →

“HEROES”
David Bowie
RCA Victor PL-12522 (1977)

“Good” New Wave; Electronica

Jukebox picks: “"Heroes"” (9.9) • “V2 Schneider” (8.4) • “Sense Of Doubt” (7.4)
In ’77 the ultimate fashion chameleon seems content to ignore punk and hang his hat on the New Wave scene, a scene which...more →

SURVIVAL
Bob Marley and The Wailers
Island Records ILPS-9542 (1979)

“Good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “So Much Trouble In The World” (8.1) • “Ambush In The Night” (8.0) • “Survival” (7.8)
The seeds of “Survival” were sown in '78 when Marley had spent some time in Shashamani, a Rastafarian settlement in Ethi...more →

SCREAMING TARGET
Big Youth
Gussie GLP-001 (1972)

“Good” Reggae

Jukebox picks: “The Killer” (7.9) • “Solomon a Gunday” (7.7) • “Screaming Target” (7.4)
The debut album from the 23-year-old was the crowning glory in his breakthrough wonder-year. Last year, the toaster rose...more →

TOTAL DESTRUCTION TO YOUR MIND
Swamp Dogg
Canyon Records LP-7706 (1970)

“Good” Soul; Soul Ballad

Jukebox picks: “I Was Born Blue” (9.2) • “The World Beyond” (7.9) • “Redneck” (7.7)
Career turn for the 28-year-old producer/songwriter/performer Jerry Williams, dropping his birth name, adopting the Swam...more →

METAL BOX
Public Image Ltd.
Virgin METAL-1 (1979)

“Good” Post-Punk

Jukebox picks: “Poptones” (8.6) • “The Suit” (8.0) • “Chant” (7.5)
Canadian student Jim Walker had departed the group early in the year, dis-satisfied with the new direction they were tak...more →

COUNTRY LIFE
Roxy Music
Island Records ILPS-9303 (1974)

“Good” Cerebral Pop; New Wave; Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Bitter-Sweet” (8.5) • “If It Takes All Night” (7.7) • “All I Want Is You” (7.2)
The first post-Eno Roxy Music set was stylish, peppy and imaginative, if not quite as off-the-wall as previous efforts. ...more →

SONGS FOR THE GENTLE MAN
Bridget St. John
Dandelion Records DAN-8007 (1971)

“Good” Folk; Songwriter

Jukebox picks: “Back To Stay” (8.3) • “Seagull-Sunday” (7.9) • “The Lady And The Gentle Man” (7.2)
Bridget St. John only ever sings songs that she can relate to; songs that mean something to her; songs that come from he...more →

JEZEBEL
Justin Hines and The Dominoes
Island Records ILPS-9416 (1976)

“Good” Reggae

Jukebox 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 →

DANDRUFF
Ivor Cutler
Virgin V-2021 (1974)

“Good” Poetry; Avant-Garde; Storytelling

Jukebox picks: “Dad’s Lapse” (10) • “Fremsley” (10) • “Life In A Scotch Sitting Room, Vol. 2, Ep. 1” (9.2)
Taking their left-field roster further left than ever before, Virgin Records signed up Ivor Cutler for a 3-album deal in...more →

REPLICAS
Tubeway Army
Beggars Banquet BEGA-7 (1979)

“Good” New Wave; Electronica

Jukebox picks: “Are ‘Friends’ Electric?” (10) • “Replicas” (7.5) • “Me! I Disconnect From You” (7.4)
Arriving in April, 1979, just five months after their debut, was the second long player from the London trio fronted by ...more →

LOW
David Bowie
RCA Victor PL-12030 (1977)

“Good” New Wave; Electronica

Jukebox picks: “Sound And Vision” (9.7) • “Be My Wife” (7.7) • “Warszawa” (7.3)
With “Low”, David Bowie continues with his seemingly relentless quest to reinvent himself with every new album, opting h...more →

VERSION GALORE
U-Roy
Treasure Isle TIS-079 (1970)

“Good” Ska / Rocksteady

Jukebox picks: “Wear You To The Ball” (8.4) • “The Tide Is High” (8.0) • “Your Ace From Space” (7.7)
12 versions from creation. For your musical education. “Your Ace From Space” (version of “Broken Hearted” by Ken Par...more →

AIRS AND GRACES
June Tabor
Topic Records 12TS-298 (1976)

“Good” Folk

Jukebox 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 →

CONEY ISLAND BABY
Lou Reed
RCA Victor APL1-0915 (1975)

“Good” Soft Rock / A.O.R.

Jukebox picks: “Coney Island Baby” (9.3) • “Kicks” (7.1) • “Ooohhh Baby” (6.9)
Had I been around back in December’ 75, I’d have been pretty pissed off with Lou Reed by now. After his seminal works wi...more →

DISGUISE IN LOVE
John Cooper Clarke
CBS CBS-83132 (1978)

“Good” New Wave

Jukebox 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 →

see also: (B-list) Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s

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

“B-list”

1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s