Essential Albums of the 1970s
The 1970s records we keep coming back to, listed in order of release.
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1Ptah, the El DaoudAlice Coltrane
Ptah, the El Daoud
A serene, modal spiritual-jazz peak. Meditative and beloved. A high point.
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2Indianola Mississippi SeedsB.B. King
Indianola Mississippi Seeds
A polished, soulful peak King himself prized. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.
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3ParanoidBlack Sabbath
Paranoid
The album that effectively founded heavy metal, riff after monstrous riff from 'War Pigs' to 'Iron Man'. Heavy, doom-laden and impossibly influential. Year zero for the genre.
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4Black SabbathBlack Sabbath
Black Sabbath
The debut that effectively invented heavy metal, dark and doom-laden. Heavy and historic. Year zero for the genre.
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5Tea for the TillermanCat Stevens
Tea for the Tillerman
Warm, melodic folk-pop of searching and faith, home to 'Father and Son' and 'Wild World'. Gentle and enduring. His defining record.
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6Cosmo's FactoryCreedence Clearwater Revival
Cosmo's Factory
A peak of swampy roots-rock hit machinery, from 'Up Around the Bend' to a sprawling 'Heard It Through the Grapevine'. Tight and tuneful. Their finest.
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7Deja VuCrosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Deja Vu
A peak of harmony-rich folk-rock, blending four songwriters into something greater. Warm and varied. A defining 70s record.
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8CurtisCurtis Mayfield
Curtis
A lush, socially conscious solo debut. Smooth and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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9The Man Who Sold the WorldDavid Bowie
The Man Who Sold the World
A heavy, proto-metal turn with Mick Ronson's guitar to the fore. Dark and underrated. An early sign of his range.
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10In RockDeep Purple
In Rock
The album that launched their classic hard-rock era, loud and virtuosic. Heavy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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11Layla and Other Assorted Love SongsDerek and the Dominos
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Eric Clapton and Duane Allman trading guitar lines across a sprawling double album built around one of rock's most enduring title tracks.
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12Tumbleweed ConnectionElton John
Tumbleweed Connection
An Americana-themed peak of warm songcraft. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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13Red ClayFreddie Hubbard
Red Clay
A vibrant fusion-leaning post-bop peak of fiery trumpet and groove. Energetic and acclaimed. His finest hour.
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14Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will FollowFunkadelic
Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow
A wild, psychedelic-funk landmark of acid-rock intensity. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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15All Things Must PassGeorge Harrison
All Things Must Pass
A vast, generous triple album of pent-up songcraft, Spector-produced and spiritual. Lush and beloved. The best of the solo Beatles records.
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16American BeautyGrateful Dead
American Beauty
The Dead's warmest studio record, full of country-folk songcraft like 'Box of Rain' and 'Ripple'. Mellow and beloved. An ideal entry point.
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17Workingman's DeadGrateful Dead
Workingman's Dead
A spare, country-folk turn of warm harmony, home to 'Uncle John's Band'. Mellow and beloved. A landmark.
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18Sex MachineJames Brown
Sex Machine
A sprawling, groove-locked document of the Godfather of Soul at his rhythmic peak. Relentless and influential. A funk cornerstone.
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19Sweet Baby JamesJames Taylor
Sweet Baby James
A gentle, intimate landmark of the singer-songwriter era, home to 'Fire and Rain'. Warm and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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20Plastic Ono BandJohn Lennon
Plastic Ono Band
A raw, stripped-bare primal-scream record of startling honesty. Spare and powerful. His most uncompromising work.
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21Ladies of the CanyonJoni Mitchell
Ladies of the Canyon
A warm bridge between folk and her jazzier turn, home to 'Big Yellow Taxi'. Tuneful and beloved. A favourite.
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22Led Zeppelin IIILed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin III
A surprising acoustic-leaning turn toward folk and Celtic textures alongside the riffs. More varied than expected. A grower among fans.
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23Bitches BrewMiles Davis
Bitches Brew
The album that birthed jazz-fusion, a dense, electric, studio-assembled brew of rock rhythm and free improvisation. Divisive on release and now revered. Demanding, hypnotic and unlike anything before it.
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24After the Gold RushNeil Young
After the Gold Rush
A fragile, beautiful set balancing piano ballads and ragged electric rock, more haunted than Harvest. A quiet favourite among devotees. Timeless.
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25Bryter LayterNick Drake
Bryter Layter
A lusher, jazz-touched record of bittersweet beauty. Warm and understated. A quiet classic.
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26AbraxasSantana
Abraxas
A sublime fusion of Latin rhythm and rock guitar, home to 'Black Magic Woman' and 'Oye Como Va'. Hypnotic and warm. Their masterpiece.
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27Bridge over Troubled WaterSimon & Garfunkel
Bridge over Troubled Water
Their final and biggest album, balancing the soaring title hymn with lighter, worldlier songs. Immaculately produced and hugely popular. A perfect send-off.
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28SunflowerThe Beach Boys
Sunflower
A warm, underrated post-Pet Sounds gem of lush harmony and gentle craft. Overlooked on release and quietly beloved since. A grower for devotees.
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29Let It BeThe Beatles
Let It Be
Their troubled final release, rooftop-concert energy wrestling with Phil Spector's overdubs, yet home to 'Let It Be' and 'The Long and Winding Road'. Ragged but moving. A fitting, complicated farewell.
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30Morrison HotelThe Doors
Morrison Hotel
A bluesy, back-to-basics peak after experimental detours. Tough and beloved. A strong late record.
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31Band of GypsysThe Jimi Hendrix Experience
Band of Gypsys
A funky, heavy live peak with a new trio, home to 'Machine Gun'. Powerful and beloved. A landmark.
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32Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part OneThe Kinks
Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One
A witty, melodic peak, home to 'Lola'. Sharp and beloved. A high point.
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33Fun HouseThe Stooges
Fun House
A raw, saxophone-scorched proto-punk landmark of pure energy. Wild and primal. Hugely influential.
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34Live at LeedsThe Who
Live at Leeds
Widely held to be one of the greatest live rock albums, ferocious and loud. Powerful and beloved. A landmark.
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35MoondanceVan Morrison
Moondance
Warmer and more song-based than Astral Weeks, all joy and swing, from the title track to 'Into the Mystic'. Soulful and beloved. A perfect record.
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36Just Another Diamond DayVashti Bunyan
Just Another Diamond Day
A fragile, pastoral folk gem ignored on release and later revered. Beautiful and beloved. A cult treasure.
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37Journey in SatchidanandaAlice Coltrane
Journey in Satchidananda
A serene, modal spiritual-jazz masterpiece of harp, sax and drone. Meditative and beautiful. A singular, beloved record.
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38Live in Cook County JailB.B. King
Live in Cook County Jail
A fiery prison live peak, home to a definitive 'The Thrill Is Gone'. Electric and beloved. A great live record.
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39Just as I AmBill Withers
Just as I Am
An intimate debut of acoustic-leaning soul, introducing 'Ain't No Sunshine'. Honest and understated. A quietly perfect record.
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40Master of RealityBlack Sabbath
Master of Reality
Down-tuned and even heavier, the record that seeded both doom and stoner metal. Sludgy, dark and pioneering. Essential Sabbath.
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41Tago MagoCan
Tago Mago
A sprawling, hypnotic krautrock landmark of motorik grooves and studio experiment. Influential and strange. A genre cornerstone.
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42TapestryCarole King
Tapestry
The album that defined the confessional singer-songwriter era, warm and tuneful from 'It's Too Late' to 'You've Got a Friend'. A massive, enduring seller. Comfort itself.
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43Teaser and the FirecatCat Stevens
Teaser and the Firecat
A tuneful peak, home to 'Morning Has Broken' and 'Peace Train'. Warm and beloved. A high point.
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44RootsCurtis Mayfield
Roots
A lush, socially conscious soul peak. Smooth and acclaimed. A high point.
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45Hunky DoryDavid Bowie
Hunky Dory
A songwriter's album of wit, warmth and ambition, from the shape-shifting 'Changes' to the tender 'Life on Mars?'. It arrived just before Ziggy made him famous and many devotees quietly prefer it. Piano-led, melodic and endlessly replayable.
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46FireballDeep Purple
Fireball
A heavy, energetic early-classic-era peak. Powerful and beloved. A high point.
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47Coat of Many ColorsDolly Parton
Coat of Many Colors
A tender, autobiographical country peak of plain-spoken warmth. Beautiful and beloved. A signature record.
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48Madman Across the WaterElton John
Madman Across the Water
A lush, piano-led peak, home to 'Tiny Dancer' and 'Levon'. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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49Getting Ready...Freddie King
Getting Ready...
A fiery Texas-blues peak, home to 'Going Down'. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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50Maggot BrainFunkadelic
Maggot Brain
A psychedelic-funk landmark opening with a guitar elegy for the ages. Wild and visionary. A genre cornerstone.
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51Pieces of a ManGil Scott-Heron
Pieces of a Man
A foundational fusion of soul, jazz and spoken word, home to 'The Revolution Will Not Be Televised'. Sharp and influential. A proto-rap landmark.
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52Nilsson SchmilssonHarry Nilsson
Nilsson Schmilsson
A tuneful, eclectic peak, home to 'Without You' and 'Coconut'. Witty and beloved. His commercial high.
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53The London Howlin' Wolf SessionsHowlin' Wolf
The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions
A star-studded London session pairing Wolf with British rockers. Loose and beloved. A crossover record.
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54ShaftIsaac Hayes
Shaft
A funky, cinematic soundtrack landmark, home to its Oscar-winning theme. Sleek and influential. A 70s classic.
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55Mud Slide Slim and the Blue HorizonJames Taylor
Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon
A warm, gentle peak, home to 'You've Got a Friend'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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56PearlJanis Joplin
Pearl
Joplin's posthumous peak of raw, bluesy soul-rock, home to 'Me and Bobby McGee'. Powerful and poignant. Her finest.
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57AqualungJethro Tull
Aqualung
A heavy, folk-tinged prog landmark of religion and the dispossessed, with Anderson's flute up front. Distinctive and ambitious. Their best-known record.
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58ImagineJohn Lennon
Imagine
A warmer, more melodic solo peak built around its utopian title song. Tuneful and direct. His most beloved record.
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59John PrineJohn Prine
John Prine
A wry, humane debut of perfect songwriting, home to 'Angel from Montgomery'. Warm and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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60BlueJoni Mitchell
Blue
An intimate, confessional landmark of singer-songwriter craft, spare in arrangement and emotionally fearless. Mitchell's melodies and open tunings are extraordinary throughout. Routinely named one of the greatest albums ever made.
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61Judee SillJudee Sill
Judee Sill
A gorgeous, gospel-tinged folk debut of overlooked genius. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult treasure.
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62In My Own TimeKaren Dalton
In My Own Time
A haunting, soulful folk peak of a singular voice. Beautiful and reappraised. A cult treasure.
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63Led Zeppelin IVLed Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin IV
Untitled and adorned only with runic symbols, this is the band's most complete statement, from the folk delicacy of 'The Battle of Evermore' to the slow build of 'Stairway to Heaven'. Bonham's drum sound on 'When the Levee Breaks' alone has been sampled for decades. Heavy, mystical and endlessly influential.
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64Songs of Love and HateLeonard Cohen
Songs of Love and Hate
A stark, intense peak of literary folk, home to 'Famous Blue Raincoat'. Dark and beautiful. One of his best.
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65Coal Miner's DaughterLoretta Lynn
Coal Miner's Daughter
A plain-spoken, autobiographical country classic of working-class pride. Honest and beloved. Her signature album.
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66The Inner Mounting FlameMahavishnu Orchestra
The Inner Mounting Flame
A ferocious jazz-fusion landmark of virtuosic intensity. Explosive and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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67MandrillMandrill
Mandrill
A wild fusion of funk, Latin and rock from the Brooklyn collective. Adventurous and beloved. A cult favourite.
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68What's Going OnMarvin Gaye
What's Going On
A seamless song-suite on war, poverty and the environment, Gaye's defiant break from Motown's hit factory. Lush, jazzy and politically urgent, it reframed what soul could address. Often called the greatest soul album ever.
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69MeddlePink Floyd
Meddle
A transitional record building toward their classic era, anchored by the side-long 'Echoes'. Atmospheric and exploratory. A devotee favourite.
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70There's a Riot Goin' OnSly and the Family Stone
There's a Riot Goin' On
A murky, exhausted masterpiece that answered the optimism of the 60s with funk's dark night of the soul. Dense and influential. A radical, essential record.
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71Electric WarriorT. Rex
Electric Warrior
The album that defined glam rock, all boogie riffs and cosmic cool, anchored by 'Get It On'. Sexy and stylish. A genre cornerstone.
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72At Fillmore EastThe Allman Brothers Band
At Fillmore East
A peak of live Southern rock and improvisation, twin guitars soaring. Loose and electric. One of the great live albums.
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73Surf's UpThe Beach Boys
Surf's Up
A reflective, ambitious post-Pet Sounds peak of fragile beauty. Underrated and acclaimed. A high point.
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74L.A. WomanThe Doors
L.A. Woman
A loose, bluesy late peak recorded just before Morrison's death, home to 'Riders on the Storm'. Relaxed and assured. A fitting farewell.
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75Muswell HillbilliesThe Kinks
Muswell Hillbillies
A warm, music-hall-tinged peak of working-class English songcraft. Charming and acclaimed. A cult favourite.
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76Sticky FingersThe Rolling Stones
Sticky Fingers
Loose, sleazy and superb, home to 'Brown Sugar', 'Wild Horses' and the slow-burning 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking'. The playing is greasy and confident throughout. One of their two or three best.
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77Who's NextThe Who
Who's Next
Salvaged from the abandoned Lifehouse project, it became the Who's most powerful studio record, pairing Townshend's pioneering synthesizer sequences with Daltrey's roar and Moon's chaos. 'Baba O'Riley' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again' bookend it with genuine grandeur. A high-water mark for arena rock done with brains.
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78Tupelo HoneyVan Morrison
Tupelo Honey
A warm, pastoral peak of soulful folk-rock. Gentle and beloved. A high point.
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79FragileYes
Fragile
A prog peak balancing band epics and solo showcases, home to 'Roundabout'. Intricate and beloved. A high point.
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80Let's Stay TogetherAl Green
Let's Stay Together
Smooth, sensual Memphis soul defined by Green's falsetto and Willie Mitchell's warm production. The title track is a standard for good reason. A bedroom-soul cornerstone.
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81I'm Still in Love with YouAl Green
I'm Still in Love with You
A warm, sensual Hi Records peak. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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82Young, Gifted and BlackAretha Franklin
Young, Gifted and Black
A soulful, mature peak of gospel-charged R&B. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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83Amazing GraceAretha Franklin
Amazing Grace
A towering live gospel album, the best-selling of her career. Powerful and historic. A landmark.
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84#1 RecordBig Star
#1 Record
The cult power-pop landmark that sold almost nothing on release yet shaped generations of jangly, melodic guitar bands that followed.
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85Still BillBill Withers
Still Bill
Warm, plain-spoken soul of enormous craft, home to 'Lean on Me' and 'Use Me'. Direct and timeless. His finest record.
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86Vol. 4Black Sabbath
Vol. 4
A heavier, more experimental peak, home to 'Supernaut' and 'Snowblind'. Sludgy and assured. A devotee favourite.
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87Give It UpBonnie Raitt
Give It Up
A warm, rootsy early peak of slide guitar and soul. Tuneful and beloved. A fan favourite.
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88Ege BamyasiCan
Ege Bamyasi
A funky, hypnotic krautrock peak, home to 'Vitamin C'. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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89Return to ForeverChick Corea
Return to Forever
A bright, Latin-tinged fusion landmark of airy grooves. Warm and influential. A genre favourite.
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90Super FlyCurtis Mayfield
Super Fly
A socially conscious soundtrack that outshone its film, layering lush strings and funk over unflinching street narratives. 'Freddie's Dead' and the title track are classics. Beautiful and clear-eyed.
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91CymandeCymande
Cymande
A hypnotic British blend of funk, soul and Afro-Caribbean groove, much sampled since. Deep and influential. A cult treasure.
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92The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from MarsDavid Bowie
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Bowie's glam-rock concept album about a doomed alien rock star turned him into a superstar and changed what a pop performer could be. The songs are tight and theatrical, the playing sharp, the whole thing over in 38 thrilling minutes. The essential entry point to his catalogue.
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93Machine HeadDeep Purple
Machine Head
A hard-rock cornerstone built on 'Smoke on the Water' and tight, heavy riffing. Loud and tuneful. Hugely influential.
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94EaglesEagles
Eagles
A tuneful country-rock debut, home to 'Take It Easy'. Warm and beloved. A strong start.
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95Honky ChateauElton John
Honky Chateau
A warm, tuneful peak, home to 'Rocket Man' and 'Honky Cat'. Beloved and acclaimed. A turning point.
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96FoxtrotGenesis
Foxtrot
An early prog peak, home to the side-long 'Supper's Ready'. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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97Thick as a BrickJethro Tull
Thick as a Brick
A sprawling, single-song prog satire of the concept album. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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98The Harder They ComeJimmy Cliff
The Harder They Come
The soundtrack that introduced much of the world to reggae, a sharp mix of Cliff's anthems and key genre cuts. Vibrant and historic. An ideal reggae starting point.
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99For the RosesJoni Mitchell
For the Roses
A reflective, jazz-leaning bridge in her catalogue. Beautiful and acclaimed. A grower among fans.
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100TransformerLou Reed
Transformer
Reed's glam-era breakthrough, produced by Bowie, home to 'Walk on the Wild Side' and 'Perfect Day'. Witty, seedy and tuneful. His most accessible record.
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101Trouble ManMarvin Gaye
Trouble Man
A lush, jazzy soundtrack peak of cinematic soul. Smooth and beloved. A cult favourite.
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102On the CornerMiles Davis
On the Corner
A dense, funk-and-electronics landmark divisive on release and later revered. Bold and influential. A cult masterpiece.
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103HarvestNeil Young
Harvest
Young's warmest, most accessible record, full of country-rock comfort and the tender 'Heart of Gold'. His best-selling album for good reason. An easy entry point.
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104Neu!Neu!
Neu!
A minimalist krautrock debut whose motorik beat shaped decades of music. Stark and propulsive. Hugely influential.
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105Pink MoonNick Drake
Pink Moon
Recorded in two nights with just voice and guitar, it is spare, intimate and quietly devastating. Overlooked in his lifetime and now treasured. Hushed perfection.
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106Paul SimonPaul Simon
Paul Simon
An eclectic, tuneful solo debut blending styles with ease. Warm and beloved. A strong start.
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107Obscured by CloudsPink Floyd
Obscured by Clouds
An underrated soundtrack peak of warm, concise songs. Tuneful and beloved. A cult favourite.
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108Sail AwayRandy Newman
Sail Away
A sharp, ironic song-cycle of American satire and lush arrangements. Clever and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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109Roxy MusicRoxy Music
Roxy Music
An audacious art-rock debut of glam, lounge and the avant-garde. Stylish and strange. Hugely influential.
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110CaravanseraiSantana
Caravanserai
An ambitious, jazzy-instrumental pivot. Bold and acclaimed. A creative high.
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111Can't Buy a ThrillSteely Dan
Can't Buy a Thrill
A sharp, tuneful debut, home to 'Reelin' in the Years' and 'Do It Again'. Polished and beloved. A strong start.
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112Talking BookStevie Wonder
Talking Book
Where Wonder's classic period truly opens up, home to 'Superstition' and 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life'. Warm, funky and melodically rich. A perfect entry to his run of 1970s masterpieces.
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113Music of My MindStevie Wonder
Music of My Mind
The album where Wonder seized creative control, all synths and invention. Bold and beloved. A turning point.
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114The SliderT. Rex
The Slider
A glam peak of boogie hooks, home to 'Metal Guru' and 'Telegram Sam'. Sexy and beloved. A high point.
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115Eat a PeachThe Allman Brothers Band
Eat a Peach
A double album mixing studio and live jamming, partly recorded after Duane's death. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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116Exile on Main St.The Rolling Stones
Exile on Main St.
A loose, murky double album cut largely in a French villa basement, where blues, country, gospel and rock'n'roll bleed into one another. It sounded ramshackle on release and is now widely held to be their masterpiece. Let it wash over you a few times before its depth reveals itself.
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117The World Is a GhettoWar
The World Is a Ghetto
A smooth, socially conscious funk-soul peak of Latin and jazz textures. Groovy and warm. A 70s favourite.
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118Close to the EdgeYes
Close to the Edge
Prog at its most refined, three long, intricate suites of dazzling musicianship. Grand and cohesive. Often called their masterpiece.
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119Call MeAl Green
Call Me
A peak of Hi Records soul, smooth and warm with country touches. Sensual and beautifully produced. One of his best.
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120Betty DavisBetty Davis
Betty Davis
A raw, fearless funk debut that was years ahead of its time. Bold and reappraised. A cult landmark.
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121Sabbath Bloody SabbathBlack Sabbath
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
A more sophisticated peak balancing heaviness with melody and strings. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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122Catch a FireBob Marley and the Wailers
Catch a Fire
The album that took reggae worldwide, polishing the Wailers' roots sound for an international audience without losing its message. 'Stir It Up' and 'Concrete Jungle' lead the way. A landmark of crossover without compromise.
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123Burnin'Bob Marley and the Wailers
Burnin'
A fiery roots peak, home to 'Get Up, Stand Up' and 'I Shot the Sheriff'. Militant and tuneful. An essential early record.
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124The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street ShuffleBruce Springsteen
The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle
A sprawling, jazzy early peak of street-poetry songcraft. Ambitious and beloved. A cult favourite.
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125Future DaysCan
Future Days
A serene, ambient-leaning krautrock peak of hypnotic flow. Beautiful and influential. A high point.
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126Light as a FeatherChick Corea
Light as a Feather
A bright, Latin-tinged fusion peak, home to 'Spain'. Warm and beloved. A genre favourite.
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127Aladdin SaneDavid Bowie
Aladdin Sane
Ziggy goes to America, harder and more fractured, with Mike Garson's wild piano on the title track. Glam at its most adventurous. A thrilling follow-up.
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128My Tennessee Mountain HomeDolly Parton
My Tennessee Mountain Home
A warm, autobiographical concept peak. Tender and beloved. A high point.
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129Extension of a ManDonny Hathaway
Extension of a Man
A lush, orchestral peak of soulful depth. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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130DesperadoEagles
Desperado
An Old West concept album of harmony-rich country-rock. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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131Goodbye Yellow Brick RoadElton John
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
A sprawling double album of Elton's peak songcraft, from 'Bennie and the Jets' to the title ballad. Lavish and tuneful. His masterpiece.
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132Selling England by the PoundGenesis
Selling England by the Pound
The peak of the Gabriel era, theatrical and intricate English prog. Witty and elaborate. A genre high point.
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133GPGram Parsons
GP
A tender solo debut of cosmic country, with Emmylou Harris's harmonies. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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134Head HuntersHerbie Hancock
Head Hunters
The album that fused jazz with funk and sold in huge numbers, anchored by the slinky 'Chameleon'. Groove-led and irresistible. A fusion landmark.
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135Solid AirJohn Martyn
Solid Air
A warm, jazzy folk landmark of slurred vocals and atmosphere. Singular and beloved. His masterpiece.
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136Sweet RevengeJohn Prine
Sweet Revenge
A wry, warm peak of perfect songwriting. Funny and beloved. A high point.
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137Larks' Tongues in AspicKing Crimson
Larks' Tongues in Aspic
A bold, improvisational prog peak of tension and texture. Adventurous and acclaimed. A high point.
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138Wild and PeacefulKool & the Gang
Wild and Peaceful
A loose, jam-heavy peak, home to 'Jungle Boogie' and 'Funky Stuff'. Joyful and beloved. A genre classic.
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139Houses of the HolyLed Zeppelin
Houses of the Holy
More varied and playful than its predecessors, stretching into funk, reggae pastiche and lush balladry. A confident band exploring its range. An underrated peak.
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140BerlinLou Reed
Berlin
A bleak, theatrical song-cycle of addiction and despair. Harrowing and acclaimed. A cult masterpiece.
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141(Pronounced 'Leh-'nerd 'Skin-'nerd)Lynyrd Skynyrd
(Pronounced 'Leh-'nerd 'Skin-'nerd)
A landmark Southern-rock debut, home to 'Free Bird' and 'Simple Man'. Tough and tuneful. A genre cornerstone.
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142Birds of FireMahavishnu Orchestra
Birds of Fire
A blazing fusion peak of complex, electric intensity. Virtuosic and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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143Let's Get It OnMarvin Gaye
Let's Get It On
A landmark of sensual soul, lush and intimate, home to its iconic title track. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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144New York DollsNew York Dolls
New York Dolls
A trashy, glam-punk debut that bridged the Stones and punk. Raw and influential. A proto-punk landmark.
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145The Dark Side of the MoonPink Floyd
The Dark Side of the Moon
A seamless suite on time, money, madness and mortality, built from sighing synths, saxophone, heartbeat pulses and tape collage. It spent years on the charts for good reason: the production still sounds vast and the sequencing flows as one continuous piece. The benchmark for hi-fi demonstration and a cornerstone of any collection.
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146For Your PleasureRoxy Music
For Your Pleasure
A darker, more experimental art-rock peak before Eno's exit. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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147FreshSly and the Family Stone
Fresh
A loose, funky post-Riot record of reinvented grooves. Influential and warm. A genre favourite.
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148Countdown to EcstasySteely Dan
Countdown to Ecstasy
A sharp, jazzy early peak. Sophisticated and beloved. A high point.
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149InnervisionsStevie Wonder
Innervisions
Tight, visionary and politically charged, blending synth-funk with social realism on tracks like 'Living for the City'. Wonder plays much of it himself. A peak of the singer-songwriter-as-one-man-band ideal.
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150Space Is the PlaceSun Ra
Space Is the Place
A cosmic, big-band Afrofuturist landmark of free jazz and ritual. Wild and visionary. A singular record.
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151Brothers and SistersThe Allman Brothers Band
Brothers and Sisters
A warm, country-leaning peak, home to 'Ramblin' Man'. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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1523+3The Isley Brothers
3+3
A peak of funky soul and rock guitar, home to 'That Lady'. Smooth and influential. A 70s classic.
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153Ship AhoyThe O'Jays
Ship Ahoy
A lush, socially conscious Philly-soul peak. Powerful and beloved. A high point.
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154Goats Head SoupThe Rolling Stones
Goats Head Soup
A loose, sultry follow-up to Exile, home to 'Angie'. Mellow and beloved. A solid peak-era record.
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155Raw PowerThe Stooges
Raw Power
A snarling, Bowie-mixed proto-punk classic, home to 'Search and Destroy'. Loud and dangerous. A punk blueprint.
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156Blackboard Jungle DubThe Upsetters
Blackboard Jungle Dub
An early, pioneering dub landmark from Lee Perry. Inventive and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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157QuadropheniaThe Who
Quadrophenia
A double-album rock opera about a conflicted mod, grander and more cohesive than Tommy. Townshend's synths and Daltrey's voice power it. A high point of 70s concept records.
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158Closing TimeTom Waits
Closing Time
A tender, piano-led debut of late-night ballads, home to 'Ol' 55'. Warm and understated. A quiet classic.
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159Funky KingstonToots and the Maytals
Funky Kingston
Joyful, soul-soaked reggae powered by Toots Hibbert's gospel-strength voice. Warm and irresistible. One of the great feel-good records of the genre.
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160Honky Tonk HeroesWaylon Jennings
Honky Tonk Heroes
A landmark of outlaw country, rough and rebellious, mostly written by Billy Joe Shaver. Loose and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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161Shotgun WillieWillie Nelson
Shotgun Willie
The loose, liberated record where Willie found his outlaw voice. Warm and acclaimed. A turning point.
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162Band on the RunWings
Band on the Run
McCartney's triumphant return to form, inventive and tuneful from its title suite on. Polished and warm. His best post-Beatles album.
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163Tres HombresZZ Top
Tres Hombres
A peak of gritty Texas boogie, home to 'La Grange'. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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164AWBAverage White Band
AWB
A tight, Scottish-soul funk peak, home to the instrumental 'Pick Up the Pieces'. Sharp and beloved. A genre classic.
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165Natty DreadBob Marley and the Wailers
Natty Dread
The first record credited to Bob Marley and the Wailers, leaner and more focused, home to 'No Woman, No Cry'. The new line-up and the I Threes harmonies give it real warmth. A roots high point.
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166Here Come the Warm JetsBrian Eno
Here Come the Warm Jets
A playful, glammy art-rock solo debut. Inventive and beloved. A strong start.
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167Machine GunCommodores
Machine Gun
A punchy instrumental-funk debut whose title track became a party staple. Tight and beloved. A strong start.
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168Diamond DogsDavid Bowie
Diamond Dogs
A glammy, apocalyptic concept record drawing on Orwell, all decadence and dread. Theatrical and dark. A cult-loved Bowie chapter.
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169BurnDeep Purple
Burn
A fiery, Coverdale-fronted hard-rock peak. Powerful and beloved. A high point.
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170JoleneDolly Parton
Jolene
Built around one of country's most enduring songs, plus the autobiographical 'I Will Always Love You'. Plain-spoken and beautifully sung. Essential Dolly.
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171Apostrophe (')Frank Zappa
Apostrophe (')
An accessible, funny peak of jazz-rock invention. Inventive and beloved. His best-selling record.
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172No OtherGene Clark
No Other
A lavish, cosmic-Americana cult masterpiece ignored on release. Beautiful and reappraised. A treasure.
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173The Lamb Lies Down on BroadwayGenesis
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
An ambitious, surreal double-album rock opera, Gabriel's last with the band. Bold and acclaimed. A cult landmark.
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174Grievous AngelGram Parsons
Grievous Angel
A tender, definitive country-rock record, his duets with Emmylou Harris luminous throughout. Beautiful and influential. A cosmic-country landmark.
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175ThrustHerbie Hancock
Thrust
A funky, polished jazz-fusion peak. Groovy and beloved. A high point.
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176Late for the SkyJackson Browne
Late for the Sky
A reflective, beautifully written peak of California songcraft. Tender and acclaimed. His finest.
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177Court and SparkJoni Mitchell
Court and Spark
Mitchell's jazziest, most accessible record, pairing sophisticated arrangements with sharp, witty writing. It was her commercial peak and remains deeply rewarding. A perfect bridge between her folk and jazz periods.
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178Pick a DubKeith Hudson
Pick a Dub
A pioneering, cohesive early dub album. Deep and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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179RedKing Crimson
Red
A heavy, angular peak of 70s Crimson, tense and powerful. Influential on metal and prog alike. A genre high point.
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180AutobahnKraftwerk
Autobahn
The breakthrough, its 22-minute title piece evoking a drive down the motorway in pure electronics. Pioneering and hypnotic. Where their legend begins.
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181New Skin for the Old CeremonyLeonard Cohen
New Skin for the Old Ceremony
A literate, intricate peak of dark wit. Beautiful and acclaimed. A high point.
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182Second HelpingLynyrd Skynyrd
Second Helping
A peak of Southern rock, home to 'Sweet Home Alabama'. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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183On the BeachNeil Young
On the Beach
A bleak, beautiful record of disillusion and fragile beauty. Raw and beloved. A devotee favourite.
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184FireOhio Players
Fire
A slick, horn-driven funk peak built around its chart-topping title track. Hot and beloved. A genre highlight.
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185Sheer Heart AttackQueen
Sheer Heart Attack
The album where Queen found their range, balancing heavy rock with ornate pop and proving they were more than a hard-rock act. Tight and inventive. An early peak.
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186Queen IIQueen
Queen II
An ambitious, layered early peak of hard-rock drama. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.
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187I Want to See the Bright Lights TonightRichard & Linda Thompson
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight
A peak of British folk-rock songcraft and harmony. Beautiful and acclaimed. A genre cornerstone.
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188Pretzel LogicSteely Dan
Pretzel Logic
A tight, jazzy peak, home to 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number'. Sophisticated and beloved. A high point.
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189Fulfillingness' First FinaleStevie Wonder
Fulfillingness' First Finale
A reflective, funky peak of his classic run. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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190Crime of the CenturySupertramp
Crime of the Century
A polished, ambitious prog-pop breakthrough. Tuneful and acclaimed. Their finest.
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191PhaedraTangerine Dream
Phaedra
A pioneering sequencer-driven electronic landmark of hypnotic drift. Spacious and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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192RejuvenationThe Meters
Rejuvenation
New Orleans funk at its most elastic and deep-pocketed. Greasy and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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193Back to OaklandTower of Power
Back to Oakland
Muscular horn-funk powered by one of the genre's greatest rhythm sections. Tight and acclaimed. A high point.
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194Veedon FleeceVan Morrison
Veedon Fleece
A mystical, underrated peak of free-flowing Celtic soul. Beautiful and acclaimed. A cult favourite.
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195Phases and StagesWillie Nelson
Phases and Stages
A concept album of divorce told from both sides. Beautiful and acclaimed. A creative high.
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196RelayerYes
Relayer
A complex, jazzy prog peak. Ambitious and acclaimed. A high point.
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197Toys in the AtticAerosmith
Toys in the Attic
The album that defined Aerosmith's swaggering blues-rock, home to 'Walk This Way' and 'Sweet Emotion'. Tight and raunchy. Their peak.
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198SabotageBlack Sabbath
Sabotage
A heavy, varied peak of the original line-up. Powerful and underrated. A fan favourite.
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199Blood on the TracksBob Dylan
Blood on the Tracks
Often called the great break-up album, its songs of love gone wrong are among the most affecting Dylan ever wrote. The arrangements are spare and the storytelling extraordinary, especially 'Tangled Up in Blue'. Mature, wounded and beautiful.
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200Live!Bob Marley and the Wailers
Live!
A landmark live album, home to a definitive 'No Woman, No Cry'. Electric and beloved. A high point.
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201Another Green WorldBrian Eno
Another Green World
A delicate balance of song and instrumental texture, gentle and exploratory. A pivot toward ambient. Quietly influential.
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202Born to RunBruce Springsteen
Born to Run
The make-or-break record where Springsteen poured everything into a widescreen, Spector-sized vision of escape and longing. Every track strains for transcendence and mostly reaches it, from the title song to the closing 'Jungleland'. Romantic, exhausting and thrilling.
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203Marcus GarveyBurning Spear
Marcus Garvey
Hypnotic, deeply spiritual roots reggae built on Winston Rodney's incantatory vocals and heavy rhythm. Meditative and powerful. A roots cornerstone.
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204Young AmericansDavid Bowie
Young Americans
Bowie's 'plastic soul' record, embracing Philly soul and funk. Slick and surprising. The album that broke him in America.
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205One of These NightsEagles
One of These Nights
A polished peak that bridged country-rock and pop. Tuneful and huge. A commercial high.
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206That's the Way of the WorldEarth, Wind & Fire
That's the Way of the World
A peak of lush, uplifting funk-soul, home to 'Shining Star'. Polished and joyful. Their best.
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207Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt CowboyElton John
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
An autobiographical concept peak of intricate songcraft. Ambitious and acclaimed. A high point.
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208Pieces of the SkyEmmylou Harris
Pieces of the Sky
A graceful country peak of pristine voice. Warm and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
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209Diamonds & RustJoan Baez
Diamonds & Rust
A mature peak, home to its autobiographical title song. Beautiful and acclaimed. Her finest.
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210The Hissing of Summer LawnsJoni Mitchell
The Hissing of Summer Lawns
An ambitious, jazz-and-world-leaning peak of suburban critique. Bold and acclaimed. A grower among fans.
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211The Koln ConcertKeith Jarrett
The Koln Concert
A wholly improvised solo piano concert that became the best-selling of its kind. Flowing, melodic and transcendent. A singular live document.
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212Radio-ActivityKraftwerk
Radio-Activity
A concept record on radio and radioactivity, sparse and eerie. Pioneering and influential. A transitional landmark.
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213Physical GraffitiLed Zeppelin
Physical Graffiti
A double album with room to roam, from the towering 'Kashmir' to acoustic excursions and pure blues-rock muscle. It shows the full breadth of the band's powers in one set. The deep cuts reward repeat listens as much as the famous tracks.
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214Tonight's the NightNeil Young
Tonight's the Night
A raw, grief-soaked record of loss and ragged beauty. Harrowing and beloved. A cult favourite.
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215ZumaNeil Young
Zuma
A loose, electric Crazy Horse peak, home to 'Cortez the Killer'. Raw and beloved. A high point.
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216Mothership ConnectionParliament
Mothership Connection
A cosmic, horn-driven P-Funk landmark of sci-fi groove. Funky and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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217HorsesPatti Smith
Horses
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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218Still Crazy After All These YearsPaul Simon
Still Crazy After All These Years
A polished, jazzy peak of mature songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A Grammy-winning high.
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219Wish You Were HerePink Floyd
Wish You Were Here
A grieving, beautiful record shaped by absent friend Syd Barrett and disillusion with the music business, anchored by the sprawling 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. Warmer and more human than Dark Side, it rewards patience and a good pair of speakers. One of the great headphone albums.
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220A Night at the OperaQueen
A Night at the Opera
Queen's lavish, everything-at-once masterpiece, home to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and a riot of music-hall, hard rock and balladry. Expensive, ambitious and irresistible. Their defining statement.
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221RubyconTangerine Dream
Rubycon
A hypnotic, sequencer-driven ambient-electronic peak. Immersive and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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222Dreaming My DreamsWaylon Jennings
Dreaming My Dreams
A relaxed, outlaw-country peak of warm craft. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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223Red Headed StrangerWillie Nelson
Red Headed Stranger
A spare, cinematic concept album that defied Nashville convention and became a landmark of outlaw country. Quiet and haunting. Proof less can be more.
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224ArrivalABBA
Arrival
A peak of immaculate Swedish pop craft, home to 'Dancing Queen'. Glossy and joyful. One of their finest.
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225RocksAerosmith
Rocks
A raw, swaggering hard-rock peak that influenced a generation. Tough and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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226King Tubbys Meets Rockers UptownAugustus Pablo
King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown
A landmark dub record of melodica and Tubby's mixing-desk magic. Hypnotic and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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227BlondieBlondie
Blondie
A scrappy, tuneful new-wave debut. Fun and beloved. A strong start.
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228DesireBob Dylan
Desire
A loose, romantic mid-70s record co-written with Jacques Levy, anchored by the epic 'Hurricane'. Warm and narrative. A fan favourite.
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229Rastaman VibrationBob Marley and the Wailers
Rastaman Vibration
A warm, accessible roots peak that broke big in America. Tuneful and assured. A fan favourite.
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230Night MovesBob Seger
Night Moves
A warm, heartland-rock breakthrough, home to its title song. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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231Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber BandBootsy's Rubber Band
Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band
Bootsy Collins' cartoonish, deeply funky solo debut out of the P-Funk camp. Playful and beloved. A genre favourite.
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232BostonBoston
Boston
A pristine, layered arena-rock debut, home to 'More Than a Feeling'. Polished and huge. A 70s landmark.
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233Blackheart ManBunny Wailer
Blackheart Man
A deep, spiritual roots masterpiece from the third Wailer. Rich and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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234Man in the HillsBurning Spear
Man in the Hills
A warm, meditative roots peak of rural imagery. Deep and beloved. A high point.
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235Garvey's GhostBurning Spear
Garvey's Ghost
A hypnotic dub companion to Marcus Garvey. Deep and beloved. A genre highlight.
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236Station to StationDavid Bowie
Station to Station
A transitional masterpiece between funk and the Berlin era, anchored by the ten-minute title track and the Thin White Duke persona. Cold, propulsive and brilliant. A pivotal record.
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237Hotel CaliforniaEagles
Hotel California
The band's slick, ambitious peak, its title track a perfectly crafted six-minute allegory of California excess. Polished and enormous. A 70s soft-rock landmark.
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238A New World RecordElectric Light Orchestra
A New World Record
A tight, hook-laden symphonic-pop peak. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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239A Trick of the TailGenesis
A Trick of the Tail
A confident first album of the Collins-fronted era. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong pivot.
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240OxygeneJean-Michel Jarre
Oxygene
A lush, melodic synthesizer landmark that brought electronic music to the masses. Atmospheric and beloved. A genre classic.
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241HejiraJoni Mitchell
Hejira
A restless, jazzy travelogue of long, literate songs and Jaco's bass. Reflective and singular. A late peak.
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242Sad Wings of DestinyJudas Priest
Sad Wings of Destiny
An early, ambitious landmark that helped define metal's template. Dramatic and influential. A cornerstone.
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243PresenceLed Zeppelin
Presence
A leaner, guitar-forward record made under duress, home to 'Achilles Last Stand'. Heavy and underrated. A fan favourite.
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244I Want YouMarvin Gaye
I Want You
A lush, sensual concept album of slow-burning soul. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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245War ina BabylonMax Romeo and the Upsetters
War ina Babylon
A heavy, prophetic roots record produced by Lee Perry, militant and melodic. Deep and acclaimed. A 70s reggae cornerstone.
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246Legalize ItPeter Tosh
Legalize It
A defiant, deeply rootsy solo debut from the Wailers' firebrand, uncompromising and heavy. Militant and brilliant. Essential roots reggae.
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247A Day at the RacesQueen
A Day at the Races
A lush, varied companion to A Night at the Opera, home to 'Somebody to Love'. Tuneful and beloved. A strong record.
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248RisingRainbow
Rising
A bombastic, Dio-fronted hard-rock peak. Powerful and beloved. A genre highlight.
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249RamonesRamones
Ramones
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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250Everybody Loves the SunshineRoy Ayers
Everybody Loves the Sunshine
A warm, mellow jazz-funk peak whose title track became eternal. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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2512112Rush
2112
A bold concept record whose side-long title suite saved their career. Ambitious and heavy. A prog-rock landmark.
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252The Royal ScamSteely Dan
The Royal Scam
A darker, guitar-forward peak. Sophisticated and beloved. A high point.
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253Songs in the Key of LifeStevie Wonder
Songs in the Key of Life
A double album of staggering range and generosity, the centrepiece of Wonder's golden run. Funk, jazz, ballads and social commentary all sit comfortably together. Exhaustive, joyous and essential.
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254Satta MassaganaThe Abyssinians
Satta Massagana
A foundational roots-harmony landmark of spiritual depth. Beautiful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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255Trenchtown Mix UpThe Gladiators
Trenchtown Mix Up
A harmony-rich roots peak of melodic warmth. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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256Right TimeThe Mighty Diamonds
Right Time
A harmony-rich roots landmark of sweet vocals and message. Warm and beloved. A genre classic.
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257Super ApeThe Upsetters
Super Ape
A landmark dub record produced by Lee Perry, hazy and inventive. Deep and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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258JailbreakThin Lizzy
Jailbreak
A twin-guitar hard-rock peak, home to 'The Boys Are Back in Town'. Tuneful and beloved. Their finest.
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259Small ChangeTom Waits
Small Change
A boozy, jazzy peak of late-night ballads and barroom poetry. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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260Reggae Got SoulToots and the Maytals
Reggae Got Soul
A warm, soul-infused reggae peak of Toots's gospel voice. Joyful and beloved. A high point.
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261Warren ZevonWarren Zevon
Warren Zevon
A sharp, literate singer-songwriter peak of dark wit. Clever and acclaimed. His breakthrough.
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262The AlbumABBA
The Album
A peak of ambitious Swedish pop, home to 'Take a Chance on Me'. Polished and tuneful. One of their best.
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263Saturday Night FeverBee Gees
Saturday Night Fever
The soundtrack that defined disco, wall-to-wall hits and falsetto. Inescapable and influential. A cultural landmark.
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264The StrangerBilly Joel
The Stranger
Joel's breakthrough of sharp, cinematic pop-rock, home to 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant'. Polished and beloved. His defining record.
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265ExodusBob Marley and the Wailers
Exodus
Recorded in London after an assassination attempt, it balances militant roots anthems with songs of love and faith, from 'Jamming' to 'One Love'. Named album of the century by some critics. The essential Marley record.
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266Before and After ScienceBrian Eno
Before and After Science
A delicate balance of art-pop songs and ambient texture. Inventive and beloved. A high point.
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267Two Sevens ClashCulture
Two Sevens Clash
Prophetic, hooky roots reggae steeped in Rastafarian apocalypse. Warm and urgent. A 1977 landmark.
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268LowDavid Bowie
Low
The first of the Berlin-era records, split between fractured art-pop and chilly ambient instrumentals co-shaped by Brian Eno. Bleak, beautiful and decades ahead of its time, it rewired what a rock star's album could contain. A grower that becomes a favourite.
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269“Heroes”David Bowie
“Heroes”
The centrepiece of the Berlin trilogy, its title track one of the great rock anthems of yearning. Eno's textures and Fripp's guitar give it grandeur. Triumphant and strange.
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270I Remember YesterdayDonna Summer
I Remember Yesterday
A concept album whose Moroder-built closer 'I Feel Love' rewrote dance music. Bold and influential. A landmark.
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271All 'n AllEarth, Wind & Fire
All 'n All
A lavish, spiritual funk-soul peak. Polished and beloved. A high point.
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272Out of the BlueElectric Light Orchestra
Out of the Blue
A lavish, symphonic-pop double album of orchestral hooks. Polished and beloved. Their peak.
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273My Aim Is TrueElvis Costello
My Aim Is True
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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274RumoursFleetwood Mac
Rumours
Recorded as the band members' relationships disintegrated, the tension fuels every track, turning heartbreak into impossibly hooky soft-rock. The harmonies, the songwriting balance across three writers and the crystalline production made it one of the best-selling albums ever. Comfort listening with real emotional undertow.
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275In the LightHorace Andy
In the Light
A peak of sweet, distinctive roots reggae. Beautiful and beloved. A genre highlight.
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276New Boots and Panties!!Ian Dury and the Blockheads
New Boots and Panties!!
A witty, funky pub-rock-into-new-wave debut. Sharp and beloved. A British classic.
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277Lust for LifeIggy Pop
Lust for Life
A vital, Bowie-assisted solo record, all motorik drive and dark wit, from its iconic title track. Raw and tuneful. A proto-punk classic.
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278The IdiotIggy Pop
The Idiot
A cold, Bowie-shaped art-rock debut of fractured menace. Influential and strange. A post-punk forerunner.
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279Police and ThievesJunior Murvin
Police and Thieves
Defined by its falsetto title track and Perry's production, a sweet yet urgent roots classic. Melodic and influential. Essential reggae.
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280Trans-Europe ExpressKraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express
A sleek, romantic concept album about European travel that shaped electro, hip-hop and techno. Hypnotic and forward-looking. Hugely influential.
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281Street SurvivorsLynyrd Skynyrd
Street Survivors
A strong final peak before tragedy, home to 'What's Your Name'. Tough and beloved. A poignant high point.
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282Hard AgainMuddy Waters
Hard Again
A raucous, Johnny Winter-produced comeback of electric Chicago blues. Vital and acclaimed. A late peak.
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283Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo SyndromeParliament
Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome
A cosmic P-Funk peak, home to 'Flash Light'. Funky and beloved. A high point.
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284Equal RightsPeter Tosh
Equal Rights
A militant, uncompromising roots landmark of protest. Heavy and powerful. One of reggae's great political records.
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285AnimalsPink Floyd
Animals
A bleak, Orwellian concept album of long, simmering tracks and Gilmour's searing guitar. Angrier and more political than Dark Side. A favourite among devotees.
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286News of the WorldQueen
News of the World
Leaner and harder than its predecessor, opening with the inescapable one-two of 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are the Champions'. Anthemic and stadium-ready. A crowd-pleasing classic.
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287Rocket to RussiaRamones
Rocket to Russia
A peak of bubblegum-punk hooks and speed. Fun and beloved. One of their best.
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288A Farewell to KingsRush
A Farewell to Kings
An intricate prog peak, home to 'Closer to the Heart'. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.
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289Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex PistolsSex Pistols
Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
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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290SlaveSlave
Slave
A heavy, horn-led funk debut, home to 'Slide'. Tight and beloved. A genre favourite.
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291AjaSteely Dan
Aja
Immaculate jazz-rock of obsessive studio polish and cryptic lyrics, played by session legends. Smooth on the surface, deep underneath. An audiophile favourite and their masterpiece.
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292SuicideSuicide
Suicide
A confrontational, minimalist electronic-punk debut of pulsing menace. Stark and influential. Far ahead of its time.
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293Talking Heads: 77Talking Heads
Talking Heads: 77
A nervy, arty debut of angular new wave and 'Psycho Killer'. Quirky and tuneful. A great beginning.
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294Marquee MoonTelevision
Marquee Moon
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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295Right on TimeThe Brothers Johnson
Right on Time
A polished, Quincy Jones-produced funk peak, home to 'Strawberry Letter 23'. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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296The ClashThe Clash
The Clash
A furious, tuneful debut of UK punk with reggae undertones and political fire. Raw and vital. A genre cornerstone.
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297Heart of the CongosThe Congos
Heart of the Congos
A deep, harmony-rich roots reggae masterpiece produced by Lee Perry, hazy and spiritual. Lush and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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298Damned Damned DamnedThe Damned
Damned Damned Damned
The first UK punk album, fast, raw and fun. Vital and historic. A genre landmark.
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299Party TimeThe Heptones
Party Time
A harmony-rich rocksteady-into-roots peak produced by Lee Perry. Warm and beloved. A genre gem.
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300In the CityThe Jam
In the City
A sharp, punky mod debut of youthful energy. Vital and beloved. A strong start.
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301Rattus NorvegicusThe Stranglers
Rattus Norvegicus
A punchy debut blending punk attitude with keyboard-driven menace. Tuneful and dark. A new-wave staple.
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30296 Degrees in the ShadeThird World
96 Degrees in the Shade
A polished, soulful roots peak of crossover appeal. Smooth and acclaimed. A genre favourite.
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303Heavy WeatherWeather Report
Heavy Weather
The most accessible jazz-fusion record, home to the ubiquitous 'Birdland' and Jaco's bass. Polished and joyful. A fusion landmark.
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304Pink FlagWire
Pink Flag
A brilliant, minimalist punk debut of short, jagged art-songs. Sharp and influential. Far ahead of its time.
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305Going for the OneYes
Going for the One
A tighter, more focused prog peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong late record.
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306Ice Pickin'Albert Collins
Ice Pickin'
A sharp, stinging Texas-blues comeback of cold-guitar fire. Tough and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
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307East of the River NileAugustus Pablo
East of the River Nile
A hypnotic melodica-and-dub peak of meditative beauty. Deep and beloved. A genre classic.
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30852nd StreetBilly Joel
52nd Street
A jazzy, sophisticated peak, home to 'My Life'. Polished and Grammy-winning. A strong follow-up to The Stranger.
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309Parallel LinesBlondie
Parallel Lines
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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310KayaBob Marley and the Wailers
Kaya
A gentle, love-and-herb-focused record of mellow grooves. Warm and tuneful. A softer side of Marley.
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311Babylon by BusBob Marley and the Wailers
Babylon by Bus
A vibrant double live album of peak-era performances. Electric and beloved. A strong document.
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312Ambient 1: Music for AirportsBrian Eno
Ambient 1: Music for Airports
The album that named and defined ambient music, designed to be as ignorable as it is interesting. Calm and revolutionary. A genre's foundation.
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313Darkness on the Edge of TownBruce Springsteen
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Lean, hard-bitten songs of work, fathers and thwarted dreams, recorded after a long legal exile. Tougher than Born to Run. A favourite among devotees.
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314Social LivingBurning Spear
Social Living
A deep, meditative roots peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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315Another Music in a Different KitchenBuzzcocks
Another Music in a Different Kitchen
A buzzing punk-pop debut of speed and melody. Tuneful and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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316C'est ChicChic
C'est Chic
A peak of sophisticated disco, home to 'Le Freak'. Sleek and huge. A genre cornerstone.
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317Visions of Dennis BrownDennis Brown
Visions of Dennis Brown
A warm, soulful roots peak from the 'Crown Prince of Reggae'. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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318Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!Devo
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
A jerky, satirical new-wave debut of de-evolution theory and herky-007 rhythms. Quirky and influential. A cult landmark.
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319Dire StraitsDire Straits
Dire Straits
A laid-back debut of bar-band cool, home to 'Sultans of Swing'. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong start.
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320This Year's ModelElvis Costello
This Year's Model
A taut, angry peak with the Attractions, all nervy energy and hooks. Sharp and propulsive. Often called his best.
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321One Nation Under a GrooveFunkadelic
One Nation Under a Groove
A joyous, danceable funk peak of communal energy. Tight and influential. A genre high point.
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322Cool RulerGregory Isaacs
Cool Ruler
A smooth lovers-rock peak of Isaacs's cool delivery. Warm and beloved. A signature record.
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323The Same SongIsrael Vibration
The Same Song
A harmony-rich roots peak of spiritual warmth. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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324EquinoxeJean-Michel Jarre
Equinoxe
A lush, melodic synthesizer peak. Atmospheric and beloved. A genre highlight.
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325The Kick InsideKate Bush
The Kick Inside
A startling, theatrical debut, home to 'Wuthering Heights'. Singular and acclaimed. A landmark first record.
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326The GamblerKenny Rogers
The Gambler
A blockbuster of narrative country-pop, home to its iconic title song. Tuneful and huge. A crossover landmark.
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327The Man-MachineKraftwerk
The Man-Machine
Pristine, melodic electro-pop of robots and cities, home to 'The Model'. Clean and iconic. A peak of their catalogue.
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328Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn BreadLee Perry
Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread
A quirky, inventive Lee Perry solo peak. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.
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329Return of the Super ApeLee Perry and the Upsetters
Return of the Super Ape
A wild, inventive dub peak from Lee Perry. Bold and beloved. A genre highlight.
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330Dread Beat an' BloodLinton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat an' Blood
A landmark dub-poetry debut of political fire. Sharp and influential. A singular British record.
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331Real LifeMagazine
Real Life
A cerebral, keyboard-driven post-punk debut. Sharp and influential. A cult landmark.
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332Here, My DearMarvin Gaye
Here, My Dear
A raw, sprawling divorce concept album of startling candour. Bold and reappraised. A cult favourite.
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333EasterPatti Smith
Easter
A bolder, rockier follow-up to Horses, home to 'Because the Night'. Powerful and acclaimed. A commercial peak.
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334The Modern DancePere Ubu
The Modern Dance
An avant-garde post-punk debut of industrial unease. Bold and influential. A cult landmark.
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335Bush DoctorPeter Tosh
Bush Doctor
A polished, star-guested peak of militant reggae. Bold and acclaimed. A strong record.
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336Road to RuinRamones
Road to Ruin
A slightly polished peak, home to 'I Wanna Be Sedated'. Fun and beloved. A high point.
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337HemispheresRush
Hemispheres
A dense, ambitious prog peak of side-long suites. Bold and beloved. A high point.
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338The ScreamSiouxsie and the Banshees
The Scream
A stark, influential post-punk debut that shaped goth. Sharp and acclaimed. A cornerstone.
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339Handsworth RevolutionSteel Pulse
Handsworth Revolution
Sharp, soulful British roots reggae with real political bite. Polished and powerful. A UK reggae cornerstone.
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340More Songs About Buildings and FoodTalking Heads
More Songs About Buildings and Food
An Eno-produced step toward funk and groove. Tuneful and inventive. A pivotal record.
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341AdventureTelevision
Adventure
A melodic, cleaner follow-up to Marquee Moon. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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342The CarsThe Cars
The Cars
A near-perfect new-wave debut, hook after hook of sleek power-pop. Tight and timeless. A 70s staple.
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343All Mod ConsThe Jam
All Mod Cons
The album where the Jam matured into sharp social commentary and mod-pop craft. Tuneful and sharp. Their breakthrough.
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344Some GirlsThe Rolling Stones
Some Girls
A lean, punchy late-70s comeback that absorbed disco and punk energy without losing the swagger. 'Miss You' and 'Beast of Burden' lead it. Their last truly great album.
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345Live and DangerousThin Lizzy
Live and Dangerous
One of the great live hard-rock albums, electric and tight. Powerful and beloved. A landmark.
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346Blue ValentineTom Waits
Blue Valentine
A noir-ish, late-night peak of barroom ballads. Warm and acclaimed. A high point.
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347Van HalenVan Halen
Van Halen
A debut that reinvented rock guitar via Eddie's fretboard fireworks. Explosive and fun. A hard-rock landmark.
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348StardustWillie Nelson
Stardust
A surprising, beloved collection of pop standards in Willie's warm phrasing. Smooth and acclaimed. A crossover classic.
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349Chairs MissingWire
Chairs Missing
A more textured, art-rock follow-up to Pink Flag. Inventive and acclaimed. A post-punk cornerstone.
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350Germfree AdolescentsX-Ray Spex
Germfree Adolescents
A vibrant punk landmark of saxophone and Poly Styrene's roar. Sharp and influential. A cult classic.
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351Voulez-VousABBA
Voulez-Vous
A disco-leaning peak of polished Swedish pop. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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352Highway to HellAC/DC
Highway to Hell
The album that made AC/DC global, Bon Scott's last with the band, all swagger and killer riffs. Raucous and fun. Hard rock perfected.
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353Eat to the BeatBlondie
Eat to the Beat
A varied, tuneful new-wave peak of pop ambition. Bright and beloved. A strong follow-up to Parallel Lines.
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354SurvivalBob Marley and the Wailers
Survival
A militant, pan-African roots peak of political urgency. Bold and powerful. A strong late record.
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355Cheap Trick at BudokanCheap Trick
Cheap Trick at Budokan
A blockbuster live album of power-pop hooks, home to 'I Want You to Want Me'. Fun and huge. Their breakthrough.
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356RisqueChic
Risque
A peak of sophisticated disco-funk, home to 'Good Times'. Sleek and hugely influential on hip-hop. A dancefloor landmark.
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357LodgerDavid Bowie
Lodger
The most accessible of the Berlin trilogy, worldly and angular. Underrated and inventive. A grower among fans.
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358Bad GirlsDonna Summer
Bad Girls
A blockbuster disco double album, home to its title track and 'Hot Stuff'. Lavish and huge. Her commercial peak.
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359I AmEarth, Wind & Fire
I Am
A glossy disco-funk peak, home to 'Boogie Wonderland' and 'After the Love Has Gone'. Lavish and huge. A commercial high.
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360Armed ForcesElvis Costello
Armed Forces
A sharp, pop-savvy peak of barbed political new wave. Tuneful and acclaimed. One of his best.
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361TuskFleetwood Mac
Tusk
The sprawling, eccentric follow-up to Rumours, lurching from pop to lo-fi experiment on a then-record budget. Divisive then, beloved now. A brave left turn.
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362Entertainment!Gang of Four
Entertainment!
A jagged, danceable post-punk landmark of funk bass and Marxist critique. Angular and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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363The Pleasure PrincipleGary Numan
The Pleasure Principle
A cold, pioneering synth-rock landmark, home to 'Cars'. Influential and stark. A genre cornerstone.
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364Unknown PleasuresJoy Division
Unknown Pleasures
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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365In Through the Out DoorLed Zeppelin
In Through the Out Door
A keyboard-leaning final studio album of softer textures. Varied and reflective. A bittersweet close.
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366One Step Beyond...Madness
One Step Beyond...
A joyous, ska-pop debut of 'nutty boy' energy and English humour. Fun and tuneful. A 2-tone classic.
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367Off the WallMichael Jackson
Off the Wall
Jackson's grown-up arrival, a joyous disco-soul record that still sounds effortless and warm. 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Rock with You' set a new bar for dancefloor pop. Many listeners love it even more than Thriller.
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368OverkillMotörhead
Overkill
A fast, raw peak that helped birth speed metal. Loud and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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369BomberMotörhead
Bomber
A fast, raw hard-rock peak. Loud and beloved. A high point.
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370Rust Never SleepsNeil Young
Rust Never Sleeps
A two-sided acoustic-then-electric peak of restless energy. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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371The WallPink Floyd
The Wall
An ambitious rock opera about isolation and breakdown, theatrical and bleak, with 'Comfortably Numb' as its emotional peak. It works as narrative and as a run of strong individual songs. Best taken in one sitting.
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372Metal BoxPublic Image Ltd
Metal Box
Lydon's post-Pistols plunge into dub-heavy, dread-soaked experiment. Challenging and influential. A post-punk landmark.
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373We Are FamilySister Sledge
We Are Family
A Chic-produced disco peak, home to its euphoric, eternal title anthem. Joyful and huge. A genre classic.
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374Breakfast in AmericaSupertramp
Breakfast in America
A bright, hook-laden prog-pop blockbuster of wit and melody. Polished and enormous. A late-70s staple.
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375Fear of MusicTalking Heads
Fear of Music
A darker, Eno-produced step toward the rhythmic experiments to come. Tense and inventive. A pivotal record.
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376The B-52'sThe B-52's
The B-52's
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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377London CallingThe Clash
London Calling
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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378Machine Gun EtiquetteThe Damned
Machine Gun Etiquette
A fast, fun punk peak, home to 'Smash It Up'. Energetic and beloved. A high point.
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379Setting SonsThe Jam
Setting Sons
A semi-conceptual peak of sharp English songcraft. Tuneful and acclaimed. A high point.
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380CutThe Slits
Cut
A playful, dub-inflected post-punk landmark of female energy and invention. Loose and influential. A singular debut.
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381The SpecialsThe Specials
The Specials
A vital 2-tone debut blending ska, punk and sharp social commentary. Danceable and urgent. A UK landmark.
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38220 Jazz Funk GreatsThrobbing Gristle
20 Jazz Funk Greats
A subversive, foundational industrial landmark. Bold and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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383Damn the TorpedoesTom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Damn the Torpedoes
A tight, tuneful breakthrough of perfect heartland rock. Confident and hook-filled. Their commercial arrival.
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384154Wire
154
A textured, art-rock peak of post-punk invention. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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385Drums and WiresXTC
Drums and Wires
A sharp, angular new-wave peak, home to 'Making Plans for Nigel'. Inventive and tuneful. A breakthrough.
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386Solid State SurvivorYellow Magic Orchestra
Solid State Survivor
A playful, pioneering synth-pop landmark from Japan. Bright and influential. A genre cornerstone.