The Best Albums of 1978

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Feb 2, 2026 in Blog | 1 comment

THE BEST ALBUMS OF 1978

Here’s my fourth retrospective. Based on positive feedback to three previous “Best Albums” lists from 1976 and 1977 and 1975, today focuses on 1978. I was age 17 then, which for most teens is a glorious age of musical awakening.

This was lackluster year in music. If this were a writing assignment, I’d turn it down. Insert criticism here.
Summation — I rate 1978 as one of the worst collections of music in the era 1960-1990, probably of this entire “best of” series. Sure, there were many excellent albums released which will be discussed. I just don’t see an abundance of greatness. I see a few dozen really good albums, then quite a drop off.

Three things stand out:
1. How dominant rock was this year, despite disco, new wave, punk, and other music crowding the pop charts.
2. How many excellent debut albums came out that year — Police, Van Halen, Cars, etc.
3. Brian Eno….what a year in music.

Your comments, additions, subtractions, criticisms, tips, and insults are all welcome. By no means is my list perfect, but it’s better than most.

See if you agree. Here’s my countdown of the “Best Twenty” albums of 1978:

20. Love Tracks …. Gloria Gaynor
19. Who Are You .… The Who
18. Outlandos d’Amour …. The Police
17. Stranger in Town …. Bob Seger
16. More Songs About Buildings and Food …. Talking Heads
15. Living in the USA …. Linda Ronstadt
14. City to City …. Gerry Rafferty
13. Excitable Boy …. Warren Zevon
12. Cheap Trick at Budokan …. Cheap Trick
10. Wavelength …. Van Morrison
9. Minute by Minute … Doobie Brothers
8. Waiting for Columbus …. Little Feet
7. The Last Waltz …. The Band
6. 52nd Street …. Billy Joel
5. Parallel Lines …. Blondie
4. Don’t Look Back …. Boston
3. Stardust …. Willie Nelson
3. Some Girls …. Rolling Stones
2. The Cars …. The Cars
1. Van Halen … Van Halen

Note: Oops, I missed #11.

NOTABLE OMISSIONS:

….Tom Waits’ Blue Valentine probably should be here, but barely missed
….Dire Straights debut album also merits consideration, and is a sign of great music to come (mostly in 80s)
….This Year’s Model is Elvis Costello and the Attractions’ second LP (I left off the first one, also)
…. Black Sabbath’s Never Say Die! divided most diehard metal heads and rock critics alike but it’s since grown in stature — still too uneven to be in the top-20 IMHO.
….Songbird was a nice effort by fem icon crooner Barbra Streisand, but there’s not enough depth nor memorable recordings aside from a couple of smash hits, including the famous duet with Neil Diamond.
….Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town will upset some readers by my omission (that record was fraught with problems)
…. Double Vision by Foreigner could be in the discussion, but just misses the cut
….Devo’s debut album is interesting and a new sound but not quite strong enough
….Brian Eno did just about everything impactful this year — releasing two albums (ambient music, anyone?), and produced another three (all massively successful), and yet he’s not on the list which seems wrong.
….Blondes Have More Fun (ala “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” is solid, but nowhere near Rod Stewart’s best work.

MY LINER NOTES:

….Gloria Gaynor released an anthem for the ages. Half a century later, millions remain empowered by her spirit. “I Will Survive” is the most memorable smash track from Love Tracks, but the entire album endures as a joyous breakthrough. Backed by session musicians at the top of their games, Gaynor’s voice is the divine word from above. Love Tracks is a flash in time and an invasive flag plant on the beach of common awareness. The most memorable song of the year was cut in 2 different versions, and some subsequent albums even have three cuts (radio version, dance version, extended version).
….Great in parts, but speckled with forgettable filler, this is one of the Who’s most potentially astounding but also uneven musical collections. Who Are You was the final album before legendary drummer Keith Moon’s death, just three days after its release.
….Outlandos d’Amour is the debut album by The Police, which launched Sting’s prolific musical career. Driven by catchy and funky reggae backbeats and scaled-down instrumentation, the blondish British trio put out one of the strongest debut albums of the decade. Incredibly, the band had been rejected by several record companies and had no recording contract. So, they borrowed the equivalent of $2,500 and recorded this album during odd times when they could get into the studio cheap. The Police then bolstered American interest in their album by renting a station wagon, loading up their musical equipment, and touring the USA in 1978, making these origins the stuff of legend.
….Bob Seger’s highly-anticipated follow-up to his previous smash album Night Moves was followed by Stranger in Town, which spawned four hit singles — “Still the Same”. “Hollywood Nights”, “We’ve Got Tonite”, and “Old Time Rock and Roll.” This is a fun album that delivers everything expected, and then some.
….Most of the early Talking Heads’ releases are automatic nominees in any year and this is no exception. Bolstered by collaborator Brian Eno who did their subsequent three albums, the band’s sound moved toward a more danceable style. Their quirky cover of Al Green’s R&B classic “Take Me to the River” is genius.
….Linda Ronsdtadt’s third and final #1 album spun off five hit singles and solidified her as one of the most popular female pop icons of the decade.
….Gerry Rafferty, previously with Stealers Wheel (“Stuck in the Middle With You”), released his second solo album that year titled City to City, which knocked “Saturday Night Fever” off the top of the charts and went on to sell 5 million copies. Who didn’t have “Baker Street,” blasting from a small hand-held transistor radio and car speakers cranked up that entire summer? We devoured this superbly well-crafted album. However, Rafferty never enjoyed lasting success after this album, mostly due to his distaste for touring and performing live.
….My best description of Excitable Boy, which was Warren Zevon’s biggest commercial success is — imagine Bob Dylan with a personality and sense of humor. Zevon’s mockery delivered in artful songwriting and whimsical lyrics have only grown in stature since his passing. This album contains the iconic “Werewolves of London” and “Lawyers, Guns, and Money.” He never seemed to take himself too seriously, though all the fans of his his music certainly did. Witty note by note playfulness is abundant throughout Zevon’s tumultuous career.
…..Cheap Trick at Budokan is an accidental success story. Reportedly recorded at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo (the site of the legendary Beatles 1966 concert), in fact it was recorded in Osaka as that audio quality was deemed superior. Cheap Trick was a great high-energy band (I saw them in a 100-person club abound 1985) and this live show on vinyl dominated FM radio for more than a year. They also released a studio album Heaven Tonight that year. which featured “Surrender.”
….in his uneven musical lineage, Van Morrison sporadically released multiple legendary songs, artsy albums, collaborations, bombs, cringeworthy money-grabs, and yet he may have still written more great music than anyone alive between 1970-74 (Elton John is close). Then, Van hit a creative wall and went into hibernation, and a after disappointing comeback album leaving fans bewildered, exploded onto the charts again with a new look, sound, style, and energy that surprised everyone. Synthesizers? Van Morrison? Isn’t this the guy drawn to mysticism, on stage rants, lengthy jam sessions, lyrics about suicidal Irish poets? The result is a shockingly commercial, timely, tight, catchy, fun album. Wavelength bolstered Van’s notoriety as pop’s most unpredictable songwriter. Lester Bangs gave his lukewarm assessment which he called “a very nice record. I’m sure all the people at Warner Bros. are pleased with it. Ditto the DJs… Still, though, it do confound how such a monumental talent can mire himself in such twaddle, fine as some of it may be.”
….Little Feat’s live double album is enhanced by the brassy horns from Tower of Power in this lengthy jam collection recorded on various (mostly) London stages, with notable hits mixed in with just enough unpredictability to keep things exciting. Other groups sold far more records and tickets, but Little Feat — much like the Grateful Dead — nourished a deeply devoted following through their creative concoctions of soul, country, rock, and blues. I won’t pretend to know Little Feat as well as I should, but they have been described as “your favorite band’s favorite band.”
…..The famed Martin Scorsese directed The Last Waltz film, widely-regarded as one of the best rock documentaries of the decade, and here’s the packed triple album released shortly thereafter documenting Robbie Robertson and The Band’s “farewell” concert which took place at Bill Graham’s Winterland Ballroom on Thanksgiving night the previous year. A star-studded lineup of superstars includes Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Ronnie Wood, Neil Young, et. al.. — and the highlights of those performances combine with 13 Robertson/Band tracks for a loaded album. The only drawback to the recording is — after seeing the movie it’s not as satisfying merely to hear and not see the performers.
….I was surprised to learn 52nd Street was Billy Joel’s first #1 album, despite so many previous hits and excellent albums. This might rank #4 or #5 among his overall career best, but in a lackluster year in music, it’s easily cracks the fringes of the top-10. Oh, and this won the Grammy for “Album of the Year,” so there’s that to consider, also.
…. Blondie’s Parallel Lives has been called by some critics “the perfect pop-rock record” and it’s frequently cited as Blondie’s best album. “One Way or Another” and “Heart of Glass” were the two standout hits, but all dozen tracks combine for an unmatchable soundtrack of the clubs and chic culture of the times.
….Boston’s Don’t Look Back has to be here, even though I was never a fan. Saw them live once, and this was one of the most popular bands of my high school years. They just never connected with me. This was the band’s best-selling album, which sold 7 million copies. Some might ask why I listed this album so high, but skipped their first album. Fair question. Often, top bands release great debut albums then have difficulty following up that success with equal (or higher) quality. Credit Boston for doing that, according to a universal consensus of critics. So, this is quite a feat and I can’t overlook its popularity.
….Willie Nelson was the first artist to launch into a full album rendition of what’s now referred to as “the classic American songbook,” which has since been done by other artists hundreds of times. Nelson’s scratchy, twangy, sometimes crackling voice seems almost annoyingly unsuited to the smooth easy-listening material, but then he nails it with gut instinct and authenticity. Neighbor Booker T. Jones (of the MGs) produced this album Stardust, giving the collection a very non-country sound. At one point during the sessions, Nelson was frustrated while recording Ray Charles’ famous “Georgia on My mind.” Jones told him, “Ray did it his way, and you’ll do it yours.” That comment broke the tension and constraints on trying to compare Nelson with essentially flawless previous recordings, allowing Nelson’s interpretations to shine. Again, Nelson had to argue with stubborn Columbia record executives who thought this idea was crazy: “Younger audiences would not know the old songs, older audiences didn’t listen to his music, and his country base would be alienated.” Stardust rocketed to #1, made multiple charts, and sold 5 million and remains one of Nelson’s most beloved collections.
….The Rolling Stones were sliding into the highest-paid nostalgia act in the world after two uneven previous albums. Critics began casting doubts if their sound and style could translate in an evolving pop music culture that had changed drastically. This wasn’t 1969 anymore. Incredibly, aided by Mick Jagger’s androgenous vocals and on-stage tics, which now suddenly fit the times so perfectly, the Stones launch into a much more dance-friendly, rock-driven, funky, punk, neo-disco sound. This makes Some Girls one of their very best albums, and certainly their most challenging. The fruits of so many clashing creative forces produced “Beasts of Burden”, “Miss You”, and “Shattered.” I mean, just look at these lyrics: “We’ve got rats on the west side, bed bugs uptown (Shadoobie, shattered); What a mess, this town’s in tatters, I’ve been shattered (Shadoobie, shattered); My brain’s been battered, splattered all over Manhattan (Shadoobie, shattered).” So bizarre and so staggeringly creative. Genius.
….I flipped flopped back and forth on the top three album choices this year. Two of them were debut studio albums loaded with familiar hit songs most of us know nearly five decades later. The Cars combined catchy guitar riffs and synthesizers, blending into new-wave fused “electronic rock.” Their very first song “Good Times Roll” is now played on TV commercials, yet the bigger hit was “My Best Friend’s Girl.” Frontman Ric Ocasek’s lyrics are often sarcastic and loaded with searing imagery. for instance, “Good Times Roll” stands as a poke at rock n’ roll fame and offers this: “Let them make you a clown; Let them leave you up in the air; Let them brush your rock and roll hair; And let the good times roll.” Most critics call this one of the best 250 albums of all time.
….Full confession: I wasn’t a Van Halen fan, even though I saw them live twice at the height of their popularity. But the power and influence and success of this first few albums cannot be dismissed nor overstated. The self-titled Van Halen contains some of their most famous songs, “Runnin’ with the Devil”, “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love”, “Jamie’s Cryin'”, plus a terrific cover version of the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” But it might be the instrumental “Eruption” by acclaimed guitarist Eddie Van Halen which still endures as one of the greatest guitar solos of all time. This is a daring, yet unpretentious album loaded with songs that have stood the test of time. However, not all critics agreed. Rolling Stone’s in-house critic fumed: “Mark my words: in three years, Van Halen is going to be fat and self-indulgent and disgusting, and they’ll follow Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin right into the toilet. In the meantime, they are likely to be a big deal.” Um……okay.

And with that, this year in best album is now complete. Next Up: Best Albums of 1974.

Comments welcome.

The Best Albums of 1975

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jan 31, 2026 in Blog | 0 comments

THE BEST ALBUMS OF 1975

Here’s my third retrospective. Based on positive feedback to the two previous “Best Albums” lists from 1976 and 1977, here’s the next edition. Today focuses on 1975. I was 13 years old back then, and just coming of age so far as my interest in music.

Summation — 1975 was a tough year to pick any “best” album. Unlike ’76 and ’77 which (in my opinion) were slam dunk decisions, the best albums of ’75 look interchangeable. Take any of the top-5 on my list and a persuasive case can be made for all of them. Which one is the best just depends on musical taste and bias, and I certainly have mine.

Your comments, additions, subtractions, criticisms, tips, and insults are all welcome. By no means is my list perfect, but it’s better than most.

See if you agree. Here’s my countdown of the “Best Twenty” albums of 1975

20. Why Can’t We Be Friends? …. War
19. The Koln Concert …. Keith Jarrett
18. Promised Land …. Elvis Presley
17. Young Americans …. David Bowie
16. Born to Run …. Bruce Springsteen
15. Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy …. Elton John
14. Fandango …. ZZ Top
13. Welcome to My Nightmare …. Alice Cooper
12. Horses …. Patti Smith
12. One of These Nights …. Eagles
10. That’s The Way Of The World …. Earth, Wind & Fire
9. Alive! …. Kiss
8. Love to Love You Baby …. Donna Summer
7.  Red-Headed Stranger …. Willie Nelson
6. Toys in the Attic …. Aerosmith
T 1-5 Still Crazy After All These Years …. Paul Simon
T 1-5 Physical Graffiti …. Led Zeppelin
T 1-5 Night at the Opera …. Queen
T 1-5 Blood On The Tracks …. Bob Dylan
T 1-5 Wish You Were Here .… Pink Floyd

Note: Positions 1-5 are a tie.

NOTABLE OMISSIONS:

It tortured me to leave off The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album….KC and the Sunshine Band released one of the most joyous dance and sing-a-long collections of songs that year and their album with several hits arguably belongs in the top-20 (it just missed my cut)…..Bob Dylan / The Band – The Basement Tapes could be here just because of intrigue but that mostly for devotees….Paul McCartney & Wings’ Venus and Mars would have been on the list except that it’s cluttered with a few clunkers amongst some excellent guitar-heavy songs….Foghat’s Fool for the City was a smash in my teen circles and it was tough to leave this off…Jethro Tull’s Minstrel in the Gallery seems way too pretentious and view them as overrated, so that’s a pass….Rufus featuring Chaka Khan might be as tight an album as came out that year and every track is listenable (probably a mistake to leave this one out–but then which do I remove from my list?)….Rhinestone Cowboy was solid for what it is and a smash best-seller, but wasn’t anywhere Glen Campbell’s best work….Abba’s debut album came out in ’75 but their catchier songs came in the next five years thereafter.

MY LINER NOTES:

….I have a nostalgic soft spot for the band War–still remember a very early interview I heard as a kid as to why they called themselves “WAR” in the time of peace and love and they flat-out admitted it was the way to get noticed. Their quirky funk-rock rhythms confirmed our curiosity. “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” and the iconic “Low Rider” top this album’s hit tracks, but it’s equally solid on both sides of the vinyl.
….Here’s a quirky pick: A live performance by a solo pianist in Germany enshrined on a double album wouldn’t typically fit amongst these other pop choices, but Keith Jarrett’s performance given all the backstage drama (click the Wiki entry for more) makes this a mandatory inclusion. It’s the best-selling solo album in jazz history and the best-selling piano album of all-time, ranks on most lists along greatest live recordings and garners universal praise. There no “hits” on here, but it sold 4 million copies.
…. Elvis Presley might seem an odd choice among best albums of the year given he’d become a touring carnival act by this later stage of his life. However, this is one final joyous hurrah before his death two years later and his last truly-inspired inspired studio recording (later albums were mostly panned by critics as being “uninspired). Fittingly, these sessions were done at Stax Records studios in Memphis and then released on Presley’s 40th birthday.
…. Even David Bowie’s lesser acclaimed albums will often crack the top-20 and this is one of them. Young Americans” is severe departure from glam rock into a more R&B sound that would remain the rest of his career (and it includes “Fame,” which I love).
….Springsteen fans won’t agree with my low ranking of Born to Run which by almost every metric is one of the giant musical preambles of the 1970s–I just don’t think it’s as great as the critics say and only became iconic because of his later great albums. Yes this is a rock “wall of sound” but just eight tracks (I expect fierce debate on this).
….Incredible story I read recently about Captain Fantastic album–yes this is true as told by Ringo Starr–he escorted Elton John’s mother to the show on the tour of this album (imagine that conversation) and when Elton started playing “tracks from my new album” a third of the audience got up and went to the restroom—including Ringo and mom who agreed new stuff was a bore! That taught him a lesson about touring which is audiences paying the bucks just want to hear the hits–I mean, when your own mom and Ringo walk out…..
….I question myself about ZZ Top being on this list, but they did something unheard of at the time (and since), which is combining live and studio recordings onto once concept album and it helped that all the tracks are solid ass-kicking blues-infused rockers.
….Alice Cooper’s concept horror album is a mixed bag of glorious excess combined with some really cheesy WTF! moments, but it’s so ambitious that it couldn’t possibly deliver on everything—from “Only Women Bleed” (a scandalous title that was radio banned) to a sequence of boyish nightmares, to Vincent fucking Price providing a monologue on one song, to Cooper looking for a new sound and using Lou Reed’s entire backup band. This is glorious success and failure but everything rock art should be–it’s the noble attempt that mattered most.
….If there’s a female counterpart to Van Morrison’s epic ’68 work Astral Weeks, it’s Patti Smith breaking all the rules of femininity and conventionalism and commercialism on her punky-funky-rocky-poetic debut album Horses (cover by scandalous artist Robert Mapplethorpe) with what she later described as “three-chord rock merged with the power of the word.” This is sheer power of spirit and personality on record (and she even covers one of Van’s earliest teen pop hits, “Gloria” G-L-O-R-I-A! and somehow manages to out-do him).
….The Eagles’ first #1 album (enough said). Interesting that early reviews were somewhat mixed, but the massive sales and broad crossover appeal of the group and multiple catchy hit songs created a re-evaluation. This isn’t quite in the top-5 of best Eagles albums, but it’s a fine record and worthy of inclusion here.
….I love lots of soul music, but I’ve never been a fan of Earth, Wind & Fire. That bias shouldn’t preclude them from being listed here forever, with an album most will agree was one of the best of they year and no one can argue with the power of the sound and commercial success they enjoyed.
….Look up “rock gods” in the dictionary in 1975 and you will see KISS as the top entry. The elaborate mysterious made-up rockers released their fourth album this year, but this was their first LIVE effort. The energy from devoted audiences and some occasional spontaneity creates a surprisingly fun and lingering experience. It’s also a double album, so this is 2-for-1 head banger. A surprising number of rock and even new wave artists who became famous in the 80 and 90s cited this album as the first album they ever purchased, which says a lot.
….Donna Summer’s Love to Love You Baby produced and recorded almost by accident with no record contract in Europe contains the controversial 17-minute title track that was unheard of at the time. No one knew if it could get radio airplay. The song makes up the entirety of Side One. Summer (who later said she was mimicking Marilyn Monroe) simulates sexual energy through her vocals to an accompaniment of cymbals, wah-wah guitars, funky clarinet riffs, and chimes. The song became a mini-symphony reaching #2 in the American charts (behind Paul Simon) and was largely responsible for the development of the twelve-inch single. This is a historical milestone and great groundbreaking album. Arguably could be #1 of the year in my estimation. (note to self–do a full retrospective on this album sometime)
— Red Headed Stranger was Willie Nelson‘s iconic (15-song) concept album that catapulted him to superstardom. Its story has become legend. When Nelson first brought his sparsely instrumented acoustic arrangements to Columbia for release the chief executive listed to the tracks and barked out, ‘Why are you turning in a demo?’ “This ain’t no demo’,” Nelson explained standing his ground. “This is the finished product.!” Nelson asked the record executive what a “finished” record was supposed to sound like. The executive reportedly replied “Anything but this!” Somehow, Nelson won the argument. His album sold 2 million copies (high for a country album at the time), stayed on the mainstream charts for 43 weeks, and is ranked as the #83 greatest album of all-time by Rolling Stone. That Columbia exec should have ended up manning the frosty machine at a Dairy Queen.
….Aerosmith released what became their second best-selling album of their careers in 1975, which included legacy mega-hits “Sweet Emotion” and “Walk This Way.”
….Paul Simon’s 1975 album is among his very best solo work (I prefer this to Graceland), netting four major hits, and winning two Grammys, including “Album of the Year.” Hard to argue with that overwhelming weight of evidence.
….Physical Graffiti stands a bacchanal of rock so packed with raw energy and chaotic perfection that it’s almost impossible to take in. By mid-1974, Led Zeppelin had such an expansive backlog of material that they decided to expand this project into a double album by including seven previously unreleased tracks from the sessions for the band’s earlier albums. We get “Kashmir”, “Houses of the Holy”, and several other iconic rock-blues icons of sound.
….”Queen’s Night at the Opera contains “Bohemian Rhapsody” as the obvious standout, but don’t dismiss the softer catchy lullaby “You’re My Best Friend.” Most Queen aficionados rank this as their favorite album, and it’s hard to argue (personal note–my mother brought this album home in 1975 and I had never heard of the group before–even though it wasn’t a major hit single at the time, many subsequent nights included “Bohemian Rhapsody” on Side Two spinning on the bulky and boxy living room stereo console–true story).
….Some say Blood on the Tracks was Dylan’s last true cultural tour d’ force album (he made lots of great music later on, but this release may have marked his apex of creativity and influence). “Tangled Up in Blue,” “Shelter from the Storm”, “Idiot Wind” (and others) were not smash singles but continued to elevate the most meaningful music by the best artists. Profound lyrics sung by a social hermit with such a casual and dismissive attitude launch this to the highest alter of a generational reflections, becoming a poetry of emotions blossomed in sound.
….If there was any question Pink Floyd could “do it all over again” with an album that matched the emblematic Dark Side of the Moon from two years earlier, Wish You Were Here gets very close. Up against almost impossible expectations, Pink Floyd delivers a second album masterpiece.

Here’s a fun clip of the 1975 Grammys including a bizarre pairing of presenters — Paul Simon, John Lennon, Andy Williams, and a surprise fill-in for Olivia Newton-John:

The Best Albums of 1976

Posted by Nolan Dalla on Jan 29, 2026 in Blog | 0 comments

THE BEST ALBUMS OF 1976

I feel like doing something very different today. Since the 2026 Grammy Awards are coming up this weekend, my curiosity plunged me deep down the rabbit hole of a musical retro-rediscovery. The result is this list and ranking of outstanding albums from 50 years ago.

I know — it’s hard to believe all of these albums are now half a century old. Geez.

For me, 1976 was a year of awakening. A coming of age. At 14 while a freshman in high school, like most kids back then, I became a serious music fan. The roots of an amateur pop music critic were planted. I could barely afford to buy an album at the time. Listening to music took scrimping and saving. We sometimes borrowed albums from our friends. Great music was the reward from yard work and the occasional side job.

Remember, there was no Internet nor streaming services nor Youtube, back then. The only options to hear your favorite music were buying the albums (or singles) at the record store or listening to the radio and hoping they’d play your song.

I don’t remember 1976 as being a particularly great year in popular music. But come to find out — it was! Should you doubt this, then check out the list of albums released that year. And, you should also see the albums that didn’t make my Top-20! (it was tough to leave out Kiss and Bob Dylan, who both released memorable albums that year).

Of course, this list is entirely subjective. Admittedly, I’m very biased. The rankings reflect my musical tastes. But, I also try to acknowledge albums that were monumentally influential and have proven their staying power

(The Ramones’ self-titled debut album immediately comes to mind, a group I didn’t like but everyone else agrees was a force). See where you agree, or disagree.

Here’s my countdown of the “Best Twenty” albums of 1976:

20. Troubadour…..J.J. Cale
19. 2112.….Rush
18. Hejira.….Joni Mitchell
17. Wings Over America…..Paul McCartney and Wings
16. Wanted! The Outlaws…..Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser
15. Dirty Deeds Done Cheap…..AC/DC (U.K. release)
14. Night Moves…..Bob Seger
13. Sad Wings of Destiny…..Judas Priest
12. Rastman Vibration…..Bob Marley
11. A New World Record…..Electric Light Orchestra
10. Dreamboat Annie.….Heart
9. Fly Like an Eagle.….Steve Miller Band
8. The Ramones.….The Ramones
7. Arrival…..Abba
6. Breezin’.….George Benson
5. Blondie…..Blondie
4. Frampton Comes Alive…..Peter Frampton
3. Songs in the Key of Life…..Steve Wonder
2. A Day at the Races…..Queen
1. Hotel California…..The Eagles

Special prize for worst album: Disco Duck by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots

_________

Note: I was going to write something about each album but this became too much a chore. Here are my lazy comments on a few picks, for those interested as to why they were selected.

Wings over America (Paul McCartney and Wings)
– Paul McCartney’s live triple-album packed a heavy trunk of both new material and old chestnuts. This album plucked the best live recordings of Wings’ 1976 summer tour, which was the first time McCartney played in the United States since The Beatles’ final live performance 10 years earlier in 1966. It instantly rocketed to #1 when released in December 1976.

Wanted! The Outlaws (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser)
– An unlikely quartet entered the studio and churned out and album for the ages, topping country charts, going mainstream, and spinning off several hit singles the artists performed for the rest of their careers. This album also proved that “supergroups” could be massively successful since they jettisoned fans (and album buyers) of artists behind a singular musical collaborative product.

Hotel California (The Eagles)
– When we talk about albums with staying power, here’s one of the very best examples. Released at the height of their popularity, “Hotel California” still sounds fresh and is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums in history (#49 on Rolling Stones’ all-time list).