The Best Punk and New Wave Albums of the 1970s

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1. 1
   London CallingThe Clash

   London Calling

   The Clash · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

   A sprawling double album that blew punk wide open, folding in reggae, ska, rockabilly and soul without losing its urgency. Politically charged and endlessly tuneful, it is regularly named among the greatest rock records ever. The ideal entry point to the band.

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2. 2
   RamonesRamones

   Ramones

   Ramones · 1976 · Punk & New Wave

   Fourteen songs, under half an hour, year zero for punk: buzzsaw guitars, bubblegum hooks and no solos. Simple, joyful and revolutionary. The blueprint everyone copied.

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3. 3
   Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex PistolsSex Pistols

   Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols

   Sex Pistols · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

   The only studio album from the band that detonated UK punk, snarling and tighter than its reputation suggests. Its cultural shockwave dwarfs its 38 minutes. A historical necessity.

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4. 4
   Unknown PleasuresJoy Division

   Unknown Pleasures

   Joy Division · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

   Stark, cavernous post-punk shaped by Martin Hannett's spacious production and Ian Curtis's haunted baritone. It still sounds isolated and modern decades on. A foundational record for goth, post-punk and everything that followed.

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5. 5
   Marquee MoonTelevision

   Marquee Moon

   Television · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

   Twin-guitar interplay and lean songwriting that pushed punk toward art-rock, peaking in the ten-minute title track. Precise and thrilling. A foundational record.

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6. 6
   HorsesPatti Smith

   Horses

   Patti Smith · 1975 · Punk & New Wave

   A visionary fusion of poetry and punk, raw and incantatory from the opening line. Fearless and influential. One of the great debut albums.

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7. 7
   Parallel LinesBlondie

   Parallel Lines

   Blondie · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

   New-wave pop perfection, balancing punk attitude with disco and pure hooks on 'Heart of Glass' and 'One Way or Another'. Tight and irresistible. A definitive late-70s record.

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8. 8
   The ClashThe Clash

   The Clash

   The Clash · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

   A furious, tuneful debut of UK punk with reggae undertones and political fire. Raw and vital. A genre cornerstone.

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9. 9
   My Aim Is TrueElvis Costello

   My Aim Is True

   Elvis Costello · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

   A sharp, tuneful debut of new-wave songcraft and barbed wit, home to 'Alison'. Clever and immediate. A great first record.

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10. 10
    This Year's ModelElvis Costello

    This Year's Model

    Elvis Costello · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A taut, angry peak with the Attractions, all nervy energy and hooks. Sharp and propulsive. Often called his best.

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11. 11
    Pink FlagWire

    Pink Flag

    Wire · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    A brilliant, minimalist punk debut of short, jagged art-songs. Sharp and influential. Far ahead of its time.

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12. 12
    Entertainment!Gang of Four

    Entertainment!

    Gang of Four · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A jagged, danceable post-punk landmark of funk bass and Marxist critique. Angular and influential. A genre cornerstone.

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13. 13
    Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!Devo

    Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

    Devo · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A jerky, satirical new-wave debut of de-evolution theory and herky-007 rhythms. Quirky and influential. A cult landmark.

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14. 14
    Fun HouseThe Stooges

    Fun House

    The Stooges · 1970 · Punk & New Wave

    A raw, saxophone-scorched proto-punk landmark of pure energy. Wild and primal. Hugely influential.

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15. 15
    Raw PowerThe Stooges

    Raw Power

    The Stooges · 1973 · Punk & New Wave

    A snarling, Bowie-mixed proto-punk classic, home to 'Search and Destroy'. Loud and dangerous. A punk blueprint.

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16. 16
    Talking Heads: 77Talking Heads

    Talking Heads: 77

    Talking Heads · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    A nervy, arty debut of angular new wave and 'Psycho Killer'. Quirky and tuneful. A great beginning.

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17. 17
    Fear of MusicTalking Heads

    Fear of Music

    Talking Heads · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A darker, Eno-produced step toward the rhythmic experiments to come. Tense and inventive. A pivotal record.

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18. 18
    All Mod ConsThe Jam

    All Mod Cons

    The Jam · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    The album where the Jam matured into sharp social commentary and mod-pop craft. Tuneful and sharp. Their breakthrough.

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19. 19
    Another Music in a Different KitchenBuzzcocks

    Another Music in a Different Kitchen

    Buzzcocks · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A buzzing punk-pop debut of speed and melody. Tuneful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.

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20. 20
    Damned Damned DamnedThe Damned

    Damned Damned Damned

    The Damned · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    The first UK punk album, fast, raw and fun. Vital and historic. A genre landmark.

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21. 21
    Germfree AdolescentsX-Ray Spex

    Germfree Adolescents

    X-Ray Spex · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A vibrant punk landmark of saxophone and Poly Styrene's roar. Sharp and influential. A cult classic.

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22. 22
    In the CityThe Jam

    In the City

    The Jam · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    A sharp, punky mod debut of youthful energy. Vital and beloved. A strong start.

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23. 23
    Setting SonsThe Jam

    Setting Sons

    The Jam · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A semi-conceptual peak of sharp English songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

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24. 24
    Real LifeMagazine

    Real Life

    Magazine · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A cerebral, keyboard-driven post-punk debut. Sharp and influential. A cult landmark.

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25. 25
    Metal BoxPublic Image Ltd

    Metal Box

    Public Image Ltd · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    Lydon's post-Pistols plunge into dub-heavy, dread-soaked experiment. Challenging and influential. A post-punk landmark.

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26. 26
    Chairs MissingWire

    Chairs Missing

    Wire · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A more textured, art-rock follow-up to Pink Flag. Inventive and acclaimed. A post-punk cornerstone.

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27. 27
    More Songs About Buildings and FoodTalking Heads

    More Songs About Buildings and Food

    Talking Heads · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    An Eno-produced step toward funk and groove. Tuneful and inventive. A pivotal record.

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28. 28
    Eat to the BeatBlondie

    Eat to the Beat

    Blondie · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A varied, tuneful new-wave peak of pop ambition. Bright and beloved. A strong follow-up to Parallel Lines.

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29. 29
    AdventureTelevision

    Adventure

    Television · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A melodic, cleaner follow-up to Marquee Moon. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.

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30. 30
    The B-52'sThe B-52's

    The B-52's

    The B-52's · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A kitschy, exuberant new-wave debut of surf guitar and party energy, home to 'Rock Lobster'. Fun and distinctive. A cult classic.

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31. 31
    Armed ForcesElvis Costello

    Armed Forces

    Elvis Costello · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A sharp, pop-savvy peak of barbed political new wave. Tuneful and acclaimed. One of his best.

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32. 32
    Drums and WiresXTC

    Drums and Wires

    XTC · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A sharp, angular new-wave peak, home to 'Making Plans for Nigel'. Inventive and tuneful. A breakthrough.

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33. 33
    Rocket to RussiaRamones

    Rocket to Russia

    Ramones · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    A peak of bubblegum-punk hooks and speed. Fun and beloved. One of their best.

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34. 34
    Road to RuinRamones

    Road to Ruin

    Ramones · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A slightly polished peak, home to 'I Wanna Be Sedated'. Fun and beloved. A high point.

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35. 35
    Rattus NorvegicusThe Stranglers

    Rattus Norvegicus

    The Stranglers · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    A punchy debut blending punk attitude with keyboard-driven menace. Tuneful and dark. A new-wave staple.

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36. 36
    EasterPatti Smith

    Easter

    Patti Smith · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A bolder, rockier follow-up to Horses, home to 'Because the Night'. Powerful and acclaimed. A commercial peak.

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37. 37
    BlondieBlondie

    Blondie

    Blondie · 1976 · Punk & New Wave

    A scrappy, tuneful new-wave debut. Fun and beloved. A strong start.

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38. 38
    SuicideSuicide

    Suicide

    Suicide · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    A confrontational, minimalist electronic-punk debut of pulsing menace. Stark and influential. Far ahead of its time.

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39. 39
    The Modern DancePere Ubu

    The Modern Dance

    Pere Ubu · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    An avant-garde post-punk debut of industrial unease. Bold and influential. A cult landmark.

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40. 40
    The SpecialsThe Specials

    The Specials

    The Specials · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A vital 2-tone debut blending ska, punk and sharp social commentary. Danceable and urgent. A UK landmark.

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41. 41
    One Step Beyond...Madness

    One Step Beyond...

    Madness · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A joyous, ska-pop debut of 'nutty boy' energy and English humour. Fun and tuneful. A 2-tone classic.

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42. 42
    CutThe Slits

    Cut

    The Slits · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A playful, dub-inflected post-punk landmark of female energy and invention. Loose and influential. A singular debut.

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43. 43
    Machine Gun EtiquetteThe Damned

    Machine Gun Etiquette

    The Damned · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A fast, fun punk peak, home to 'Smash It Up'. Energetic and beloved. A high point.

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44. 44
    154Wire

    154

    Wire · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A textured, art-rock peak of post-punk invention. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.

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45. 45
    New Boots and Panties!!Ian Dury and the Blockheads

    New Boots and Panties!!

    Ian Dury and the Blockheads · 1977 · Punk & New Wave

    A witty, funky pub-rock-into-new-wave debut. Sharp and beloved. A British classic.

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46. 46
    New York DollsNew York Dolls

    New York Dolls

    New York Dolls · 1973 · Punk & New Wave

    A trashy, glam-punk debut that bridged the Stones and punk. Raw and influential. A proto-punk landmark.

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47. 47
    The ScreamSiouxsie and the Banshees

    The Scream

    Siouxsie and the Banshees · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    A stark, influential post-punk debut that shaped goth. Sharp and acclaimed. A cornerstone.

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48. 48
    The Pleasure PrincipleGary Numan

    The Pleasure Principle

    Gary Numan · 1979 · Punk & New Wave

    A cold, pioneering synth-rock landmark, home to 'Cars'. Influential and stark. A genre cornerstone.

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49. 49
    Outlandos d'AmourThe Police

    Outlandos d'Amour

    The Police · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    Roxanne and So Lonely on the debut — reggae-tinged new wave with Sting's most unguarded writing.

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    Love BitesBuzzcocks

    Love Bites

    Buzzcocks · 1978 · Punk & New Wave

    Ever Fallen in Love here — Pete Shelley's two-minute punk-pop perfection.

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