Albums of 1977

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1. 1
   The AlbumABBA

   The Album

   ABBA · 1977 · Pop

   A peak of ambitious Swedish pop, home to 'Take a Chance on Me'. Polished and tuneful. One of their best.

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2. 2
   Saturday Night FeverBee Gees

   Saturday Night Fever

   Bee Gees · 1977 · Pop

   The soundtrack that defined disco, wall-to-wall hits and falsetto. Inescapable and influential. A cultural landmark.

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3. 3
   The StrangerBilly Joel

   The Stranger

   Billy Joel · 1977 · Rock

   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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4. 4
   ExodusBob Marley and the Wailers

   Exodus

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

   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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5. 5
   Before and After ScienceBrian Eno

   Before and After Science

   Brian Eno · 1977 · Electronic

   A delicate balance of art-pop songs and ambient texture. Inventive and beloved. A high point.

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6. 6
   Two Sevens ClashCulture

   Two Sevens Clash

   Culture · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

   Prophetic, hooky roots reggae steeped in Rastafarian apocalypse. Warm and urgent. A 1977 landmark.

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7. 7
   LowDavid Bowie

   Low

   David Bowie · 1977 · Rock

   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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8. 8
   “Heroes”David Bowie

   “Heroes”

   David Bowie · 1977 · Rock

   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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9. 9
   I Remember YesterdayDonna Summer

   I Remember Yesterday

   Donna Summer · 1977 · Funk & Disco

   A concept album whose Moroder-built closer 'I Feel Love' rewrote dance music. Bold and influential. A landmark.

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10. 10
    All 'n AllEarth, Wind & Fire

    All 'n All

    Earth, Wind & Fire · 1977 · Soul & R&B

    A lavish, spiritual funk-soul peak. Polished and beloved. A high point.

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11. 11
    Out of the BlueElectric Light Orchestra

    Out of the Blue

    Electric Light Orchestra · 1977 · Rock

    A lavish, symphonic-pop double album of orchestral hooks. Polished and beloved. Their peak.

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12. 12
    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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13. 13
    RumoursFleetwood Mac

    Rumours

    Fleetwood Mac · 1977 · Rock

    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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14. 14
    In the LightHorace Andy

    In the Light

    Horace Andy · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

    A peak of sweet, distinctive roots reggae. Beautiful and beloved. A genre highlight.

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15. 15
    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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16. 16
    Lust for LifeIggy Pop

    Lust for Life

    Iggy Pop · 1977 · Rock

    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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17. 17
    The IdiotIggy Pop

    The Idiot

    Iggy Pop · 1977 · Rock

    A cold, Bowie-shaped art-rock debut of fractured menace. Influential and strange. A post-punk forerunner.

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18. 18
    Police and ThievesJunior Murvin

    Police and Thieves

    Junior Murvin · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

    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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19. 19
    Trans-Europe ExpressKraftwerk

    Trans-Europe Express

    Kraftwerk · 1977 · Electronic

    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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20. 20
    Street SurvivorsLynyrd Skynyrd

    Street Survivors

    Lynyrd Skynyrd · 1977 · Rock

    A strong final peak before tragedy, home to 'What's Your Name'. Tough and beloved. A poignant high point.

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21. 21
    Hard AgainMuddy Waters

    Hard Again

    Muddy Waters · 1977 · Blues

    A raucous, Johnny Winter-produced comeback of electric Chicago blues. Vital and acclaimed. A late peak.

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22. 22
    Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo SyndromeParliament

    Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome

    Parliament · 1977 · Soul & R&B

    A cosmic P-Funk peak, home to 'Flash Light'. Funky and beloved. A high point.

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23. 23
    Equal RightsPeter Tosh

    Equal Rights

    Peter Tosh · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

    A militant, uncompromising roots landmark of protest. Heavy and powerful. One of reggae's great political records.

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24. 24
    AnimalsPink Floyd

    Animals

    Pink Floyd · 1977 · Rock

    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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25. 25
    News of the WorldQueen

    News of the World

    Queen · 1977 · Rock

    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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26. 26
    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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27. 27
    A Farewell to KingsRush

    A Farewell to Kings

    Rush · 1977 · Rock

    An intricate prog peak, home to 'Closer to the Heart'. Ambitious and beloved. A high point.

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28. 28
    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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29. 29
    SlaveSlave

    Slave

    Slave · 1977 · Funk & Disco

    A heavy, horn-led funk debut, home to 'Slide'. Tight and beloved. A genre favourite.

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30. 30
    AjaSteely Dan

    Aja

    Steely Dan · 1977 · Rock

    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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31. 31
    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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32. 32
    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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33. 33
    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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34. 34
    Right on TimeThe Brothers Johnson

    Right on Time

    The Brothers Johnson · 1977 · Funk & Disco

    A polished, Quincy Jones-produced funk peak, home to 'Strawberry Letter 23'. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.

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35. 35
    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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36. 36
    Heart of the CongosThe Congos

    Heart of the Congos

    The Congos · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

    A deep, harmony-rich roots reggae masterpiece produced by Lee Perry, hazy and spiritual. Lush and acclaimed. A cult classic.

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37. 37
    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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38. 38
    Party TimeThe Heptones

    Party Time

    The Heptones · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

    A harmony-rich rocksteady-into-roots peak produced by Lee Perry. Warm and beloved. A genre gem.

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39. 39
    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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40. 40
    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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41. 41
    96 Degrees in the ShadeThird World

    96 Degrees in the Shade

    Third World · 1977 · Reggae & Dub

    A polished, soulful roots peak of crossover appeal. Smooth and acclaimed. A genre favourite.

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42. 42
    Heavy WeatherWeather Report

    Heavy Weather

    Weather Report · 1977 · Jazz

    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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43. 43
    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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44. 44
    Going for the OneYes

    Going for the One

    Yes · 1977 · Rock

    A tighter, more focused prog peak. Tuneful and acclaimed. A strong late record.

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