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Lists

Herewith I've listed my favorite rock albums released between 1970 and 1999. I chose these dates because they more or less bookend my own awareness of rock music. In 1970, when I was 5, I watched my older brother cajole my mother into buying him the Beatles' Let it Be album, whereas less than one month into the new millennium I became a father and suddenly had something else to think about. Readers of the list will note a huge surge of favorite records released between 1977-1987. There's a simple explanation for this, I think: In 1977, when I was 12, I had a paper route and hence lots disposal income; conversely, in 1988 I started graduate school and hence commenced a long decade of stipend poverty. But those were also very good years for rock. Enjoy.

1970

  • MEATY BIG AND BOUNCY - The Who
  • LET IT BE - The Beatles
  • JOHN LENNON/PLASTIC ONO BAND - John Lennon
  • LIVE AT LEEDS - The Who
  • BRYTER LAYTER - Nick Drake
  • SUNFLOWER - The Beach Boys
  • ALL THINGS MUST PASS - George Harrison
  • LOLA VS. POWERMAN AND THE MONEYGOROUND - The Kinks
  • LED ZEPPELIN III - Led Zeppelin
  • FIVE LEAVES LEFT - Nick Drake
  • BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - Simon and Garfunkel
  • McCARTNEY - Paul McCartney
  • THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD - David Bowie
  • SHAFT - Isaac Hayes

1971

  • WHO'S NEXT - The Who
  • RAM - Paul McCartney
  • STICKY FINGERS - The Rolling Stones
  • IMAGINE - John Lennon
  • HUNKY DORY - David Bowie
  • THE YES ALBUM - Yes
  • MEDDLE - Pink Floyd
  • BALLAD OF TODD RUNDGREN - Todd Rundgren
  • WHAT'S GOING ON - Marvin Gaye
  • MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER - Elton John
  • ZOSO - Led Zeppelin
  • WILD LIFE - Paul McCartney and Wings
  • EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER - Emerson, Lake and Palmer

1972

  • EXILE ON MAIN STREET - The Rolling Stones
  • THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS - David Bowie
  • SOMETHING/ANYTHING - Todd Rundgren
  • TALKING BOOK - Stevie Wonder
  • TRILOGY - Emerson Lake and Palmer
  • #1 RECORD - Big Star
  • ROXY MUSIC - Roxy Music
  • PINK MOON - Nick Drake
  • CLOSE TO THE EDGE - Yes
  • HONKY CHATEAU - Elton John
  • SUPERFLY - Curtis Mayfield
  • RASPBERRIES - The Raspberries
  • FRAGILE - Yes

1973

  • QUADROPHENIA - The Who
  • BAND ON THE RUN - Paul McCartney and Wings
  • FOR YOUR PLEASURE - Roxy Music
  • ALADDIN SANE - David Bowie
  • THE WILD, THE INNOCENT, AND THE E STREET SHUFFLE- Bruce Springsteen
  • BRAIN SALAD SURGERY - Emerson, Lake and Palmer
  • DARK SIDE OF THE MOON - Pink Floyd
  • STRANDED - Roxy Music
  • HOUSES OF THE HOLY - Led Zeppelin
  • INNERVISIONS - Stevie Wonder
  • A WIZARD/A TRUE STAR - Todd Rundgren
  • HERE COME THE WARM JETS - Eno
  • GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD - Elton John
  • RED ROSE SPEEDWAY - Paul McCartney and Wings
  • GOATS HEAD SOUP - The Rolling Stones
  • NO PUSSYFOOTING - Brian Eno
  • PIANO MAN - Billy Joel

1974

  • COUNTRY LIFE - Roxy Music
  • RADIO CITY - Big Star
  • DIAMOND DOGS - David Bowie
  • ODDS AND SODS - The Who
  • SHEER HEART ATTACK - Queen
  • BLOOD ON THE TRACKS - Bob Dylan
  • WALLS AND BRIDGES - John Lennon
  • WELCOME BACK MY FRIENDS TO THE SHOW THAT NEVER ENDS - Emerson Lake and Palmer
  • KISS - Kiss

1975

  • FUTURAMA - Be Bop Deluxe
  • BORN TO RUN - Bruce Springsteen
  • VENUS AND MARS - Paul McCartney and Wings
  • SIREN - Roxy Music
  • THE WHO BY NUMBERS - The Who
  • A NIGHT AT THE OPERA - Queen
  • BLOW BY BLOW - Jeff Beck
  • SUNBURST FINISH - Be Bop Deluxe
  • PHYSICAL GRAFFITI - Led Zeppelin
  • WISH YOU WERE HERE - Pink Floyd
  • YOUNG AMERICANS - David Bowie
  • THIRD (SISTER LOVERS) - Big Star
  • KISS ALIVE! - Kiss

1976

  • MODERN MUSIC - Be Bop Deluxe
  • STATION TO STATION - David Bowie
  • HOWLIN' WIND - Graham Parker and the Rumour
  • BLONDIE - Blondie
  • HEAT TREATMENT - Graham Parker and the Rumour
  • TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
  • RAMONES - Ramones
  • TURNSTILES - Billy Joel
  • FAITHFUL - Todd Rundgren
  • WINGS AT THE SPEED OF SOUND - Wings
  • BLACK AND BLUE - The Rolling Stones
  • FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE - Peter Frampton
  • DESTROYER - Kiss
  • YEAR OF THE CAT - Al Stewart
  • PRESENCE - Led Zeppelin

1977

  • NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE'S THE SEX PISTOLS - Sex Pistols
  • IN THE CITY - The Jam
  • THE CLASH - The Clash
  • MY AIM IS TRUE - Elvis Costello
  • IN COLOR - Cheap Trick
  • MARQUEE MOON - Television
  • LOW - David Bowie
  • LIVE! IN THE AIR AGE - Be Bop Deluxe
  • STICK TO ME - Graham Parker and the Rumour
  • AJA - Steely Dan
  • PLASTIC LETTERS - Blondie
  • HEROES - David Bowie
  • CHEAP TRICK - Cheap Trick
  • THIS IS THE MODERN WORLD - The Jam
  • ANIMALS - Pink Floyd
  • IN YOUR MIND - Bryan Ferry
  • WORKS VOL. 1 - Emerson Lake and Palmer

1978

  • ALL MOD CONS - The Jam
  • THIS YEAR'S MODEL - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • HEAVEN TONIGHT - Cheap Trick
  • DRASTIC PLASTIC - Be Bop Deluxe
  • WHO ARE YOU - The Who
  • PARALLEL LINES - Blondie
  • THE CARS - The Cars
  • GIVE 'EM ENOUGH ROPE - The Clash
  • DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN - Bruce Springsteen
  • LONDON TOWN - Wings
  • SOME GIRLS - The Rolling Stones
  • HERMIT OF MINK HOLLOW - Todd Rundgren
  • PUBLIC IMAGE - Public Image Ltd.
  • OUTLANDOS D'AMORE - The Police
  • TIME PASSAGES - Al Stewart
  • JESUS OF COOL (PURE POP FOR NOW PEOPLE) - Nick Lowe
  • ADVENTURE - Television
  • DIRE STRAITS - Dire Straits
  • GOT NO BREEDING - Jules and the Polar Bears

1979

  • LONDON CALLING - The Clash
  • SETTING SONS - The Jam
  • ENTERTAINMENT! - Gang of Four
  • ARMED FORCES - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • SQUEEZING OUT SPARKS - Graham Parker and the Rumour
  • LIVE AT BUDOKAN - Cheap Trick
  • REGETTA DE BLANC - The Police
  • CANDY-O - The Cars
  • EAT TO THE BEAT - Blondie
  • DREAM POLICE - Cheap Trick
  • PRESENT TENSE - The Shoes
  • FEAR OF MUSIC - Talking Heads
  • LOOK SHARP! - Joe Jackson
  • UNKNOWN PLEASURES - Joy Division
  • SINGLES GOING STEADY - The Buzzcocks
  • DRUMS AND WIRES - XTC
  • I'M THE MAN - Joe Jackson
  • FENETICS- Jules and the Polar Bears
  • JACKRABBIT SLIM - Steve Forbert
  • THE B-52'S - The B-52's
  • BACK TO THE EGG - Wings

1980s

1980

  • SOUND AFFECTS - The Jam
  • SANDINISTA! - The Clash
  • GET HAPPY!! - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • PRETENDERS - Pretenders
  • CROCODILES - Echo and the Bunnymen
  • BLACK SEA - XTC
  • BOY - U2
  • ZENYATTA MONDATTA - The Police
  • THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS - The Psychedelic Furs
  • EMPTY GLASS - Pete Townshend
  • FLESH + BLOOD - Roxy Music
  • REMAIN IN LIGHT - Talking Heads
  • SCARY MONSTERS - David Bowie
  • LOS ANGELES - X
  • PANORAMA - The Cars
  • ALL SHOOK UP - Cheap Trick
  • MAKING MOVIES - Dire Straits
  • THE RIVER - Bruce Springsteen
  • BEAT CRAZY - Joe Jackson
  • CLOSER - Joy Division
  • THE UP ESCALATOR - Graham Parker and the Rumour
  • WILD PLANET - B-52's
  • AUTOAMERICAN - Blondie
  • A DIFFERENT KIND OF TENSION - The Buzzcocks
  • I JUST CAN'T STOP IT - The [English] Beat
  • METAL BOX (SECOND EDITION) - Public Image Ltd.
  • KILIMINJARO - The Teardrop Explodes
  • DOUBLE FANTASY - John Lennon
  • FRESH FRUIT FOR ROTTING VEGETABLES - Dead Kennedys
  • UNDERWATER MOONLIGHT - The Soft Boys

1981

  • TRUST - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • HEAVEN UP HERE - Echo and the Bunnymen
  • TALK TALK TALK - The Psychedelic Furs
  • SOLID GOLD - Gang of Four
  • OCTOBER - U2
  • EAST SIDE STORY - Squeeze
  • WILDER - The Teardrop Explodes
  • PRETENDERS II - Pretenders
  • PRESENT ARMS - UB40
  • PENTHOUSE AND PAVEMENT - Heaven 17
  • QUIT DREAMING AND GET ON THE BEAM - Bill Nelson
  • GHOST IN THE MACHINE - The Police
  • OF SKINS AND HEART - The Church
  • DAMAGED - Black Flag
  • WILD GIFT - X
  • BLACK SNAKE DIAMOND ROLE - Robyn Hitchcock
  • SHAKE IT UP - The Cars
  • DURAN DURAN - Duran Duran
  • WHA'PPEN? - The [English] Beat
  • TATTOO YOU - The Rolling Stones
  • KISS ME DEADLY - Generation X
  • DARE - Human League
  • STILL - Joy Division
  • ROCKIHNROLL - Greg Kihn

1982

  • THE LOVE THAT WHIRLS (DIARY OF A THINKING HEART) - Bill Nelson
  • IMPERIAL BEDROOM - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • SONGS OF THE FREE - Gang of Four
  • CHRONIC TOWN e.p. - REM
  • ENGLISH SETTLEMENT - XTC
  • AVALON - Roxy Music
  • THE LUXURY GAP - Heaven 17
  • 1999 - Prince
  • COMBAT ROCK - The Clash
  • SWEETS FROM A STRANGER - Squeeze
  • TUG OF WAR - Paul McCartney
  • ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES - Pete Townshend
  • HEARTBEATS AND TRIGGERS - Translator
  • NIGHT AND DAY - Joe Jackson
  • SPECIAL BEAT SERVICE - The English Beat
  • GREEN ON RED e.p. - Green On Red
  • ANOTHER GREY AREA - Graham Parker
  • BLURRED CRUSADE - The Church
  • MARSHALL CRENSHAW - Marshall Crenshaw
  • THE GIFT - The Jam
  • RIO - Duran Duran
  • THE NIGHTFLY - Donald Fagen
  • LOVE OVER GOLD - Dire Straits
  • THE LEXICON OF LOVE - ABC
  • FOREVER NOW - The Psychedelic Furs

1983

  • MURMUR - REM
  • HIGH LAND HARD RAIN - Aztec Camera
  • PORCUPINE - Echo and the Bunnymen
  • PUNCH THE CLOCK - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • POWER, CORRUPTION AND LIES - New Order
  • INTRODUCING - The Style Council
  • WAR - U2
  • SPARKLE IN THE RAIN - Simple Minds
  • WATERBOYS - The Waterboys
  • AFOOT e.p. - Let's Active
  • BANGLES e.p. - Bangles
  • THE REAL MACAW - Graham Parker
  • LEARNING TO CRAWL - Pretenders
  • THE VIOLENT FEMMES - The Violent Femmes
  • THE CROSSING - Big Country
  • LET'S DANCE - David Bowie
  • MUMMER - XTC
  • TRUE - Spandau Ballet
  • SPEAKING IN TONGUES - Talking Heads
  • SYNCHRONICITY - The Police
  • HOOTENANNY - The Replacements
  • MADONNA - Madonna
  • BURNING FROM THE INSIDE - Bauhaus
  • SÉANCE - The Church
  • SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER - Duran Duran

1984

  • CAFÉ BLEU - The Style Council
  • RECKONING - REM
  • HATFUL OF HOLLOW - The Smiths
  • OCEAN RAIN - Echo and the Bunnymen
  • KNIFE - Aztec Camera
  • PURPLE RAIN - Prince and the Revolution
  • A PAGAN PLACE - The Waterboys
  • THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE - U2
  • REMOTE LUXURY - The Church
  • RATTLESNAKES - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
  • I OFTEN DREAM OF TRAINS - Robyn Hitchcock
  • SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR - Tears for Fears
  • MEAT PUPPETS II - Meat Puppets
  • DOUBLE NICKELS ON THE DIME - The Minutemen
  • THE TWO-FOLD ASPECT OF EVERYTHING - Bill Nelson
  • LIKE A VIRGIN - Madonna
  • LET IT BE - The Replacements
  • CYPRESS - Let's Active
  • ZEN ARCADE - Husker Du
  • THE SMITHS - The Smiths
  • THE UNFORGETTABLE FIRE - U2
  • BORN IN THE U.S.A - Bruce Springsteen
  • HOW MEN ARE - Heaven 17
  • JAPANESE WHISPERS - The Cure
  • WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
  • EDEN - Everything But the Girl
  • THE SWING - INXS
  • BODY AND SOUL - Joe Jackson
  • THE BIG EXPRESS - XTC

1985

  • STEVE McQUEEN (TWO WHEELS GOOD) - Prefab Sprout
  • OUR FAVOURITE SHOP - The Style Council
  • THIS IS THE SEA - The Waterboys
  • FABLES OF THE RECONSTRUCTION - REM
  • EASY PIECES - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
  • NEW DAY RISING - Husker Du
  • UP ON THE SUN - Meat Puppets
  • FEGMANIA - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians
  • MEAT IS MURDER - The Smiths
  • BETWEEN TWO WORDS - Wire Train
  • WALKING IN THE SHADOW OF THE BIG MAN - Guadalcanal Diary
  • AROUND THE WORLD IN A DAY - Prince and the Revolution
  • THIS IS BIG AUDIO DYNAMITE - Big Audio Dynamite
  • ARRIVE WITHOUT TRAVELING - The Three O'Clock
  • LITTLE CREATURES - Talking Heads
  • FLIP YOUR WIG - Husker Du
  • SONGS FROM THE BIG CHAIR - Tears For Fears
  • STEADY NERVES - Graham Parker
  • VIRGINS AND PHILISTINES - The Colourfield
  • HEAD ON THE DOOR - The Cure
  • FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS - Fine Young Cannibals

1986

  • HEYDAY - The Church
  • ELEMENT OF LIGHT - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians
  • THE QUEEN IS DEAD - The Smiths
  • SKYLARKING - XTC
  • CANDY APPLE GREY - Husker Du
  • SKYLARKING - XTC
  • BIG PLANS FOR EVERYBODY - Let's Active
  • LIFES RICH PAGEANT - REM
  • BLOOD AND CHOCOLATE - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • KING OF AMERICA - Elvis Costello
  • BROTHERHOOD - New Order
  • ALBUM - Public Image Ltd.
  • NO. 10 UPPING STREET - Big Audio Dynamite
  • PARADE - Prince
  • GIANT - The Woodentops
  • THE GOOD EARTH - The Feelies
  • BABY, DON'T THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT - Everything But the Girl
  • BIG WORLD - Joe Jackson
  • TRUE BLUE - Madonna
  • MANIA - The Lucy Show

1987

  • DOCUMENT - REM
  • SIGN "O" THE TIMES - Prince
  • LOVE - Aztec Camera
  • MAINSTREAM - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
  • IT'S ONLY A LONG WAY ACROSS - Pierce Turner
  • WAREHOUSE: SONGS AND STORIES - Husker Du
  • FROM LANGLEY PARK TO MEMPHIS - Prefab Sprout
  • KISS ME KISS ME KISS ME - The Cure
  • THE COST OF LOVING - The Style Council
  • A LETTER FROM ST. PAUL - The Silencers
  • STRANGEWAYS, HERE WE COME - The Smiths
  • PLEASED TO MEET ME - The Replacements
  • BOYLAN HEIGHTS - The Connells
  • ANOTHER SCOOP - Pete Townshend
  • THE JOSHUA TREE - U2

1988

  • CONFESSIONS OF A POP GROUP - The Style Council
  • FISHERMAN'S BLUES - The Waterboys
  • IDLEWILD - Everything But the Girl
  • GREEN - REM
  • MAINSTREAM - Lloyd Cole and the Commotions
  • STARFISH - The Church
  • THE LILAC TIME - The Lilac Time
  • GLOBE OF FROGS - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians
  • SPIRIT OF EDEN - Talk Talk
  • MONA LISA'S SISTER - Graham Parker
  • NOTHING'S SHOCKING - Jane's Addiction
  • DIESEL AND DUST - Midnight Oil
  • BLUE BELL KNOLL - Cocteau Twins
  • GIVING YOU THE BEST THAT I GOT - Anita Baker
  • THE FIRST OF A MILLION KISSES - Fairground Attraction

1989

  • PROTEST SONGS - Prefab Sprout
  • THE SKY AND THE GROUND - Pierce Turner
  • QUEEN ELVIS - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians
  • DON'T TELL A SOUL - The Replacements
  • THE SEEDS OF LOVE - Tears for Fears
  • PARADISE CIRCUS - Lilac Time
  • FLOWERS IN THE DIRT - Paul McCartney
  • ORANGES AND LEMONS - XTC
  • 16 LOVER'S LANE - The Go-Betweens
  • SPIKE - Elvis Costello
  • THE RAW AND THE COOKED - Fine Young Cannibals
  • THE STONE ROSES - The Stone Roses
  • A BLUES FOR BUDDHA - The Silencers

1990s

1990

  • JORDAN: THE COMEBACK - Prefab Sprout
  • STRAY - Aztec Camera
  • X - Lloyd Cole
  • & LOVE FOR ALL - The Lilac Time
  • GOLD AFTERNOON FIX - The Church
  • LANGUAGE OF LIFE - Everything But the Girl
  • EYE - Robyn Hitchcock
  • HUMAN SOUL - Graham Parker
  • ROOM TO ROAM - The Waterboys

1991

  • NEVERMIND - Nirvana
  • GIRLFRIEND - Matthew Sweet
  • OUT OF TIME - REM
  • DON'T GET WEIRD ON ME, BABE - Lloyd Cole
  • TEN - Pearl Jam
  • STRUCK BY LIGHTNING - Graham Parker
  • DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME - Billy Bragg
  • MIGHTY LIKE THE ROSE - Elvis Costello
  • DANCE TO THE HOLY MAN - The Silencers
  • WOODFACE - Crowded House
  • WORLDWIDE - Everything But the Girl
  • PERSPEX ISLAND - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians

1992

  • PAUL WELLER - Paul Weller
  • AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE - REM
  • IT'S A SHAME ABOUT RAY - Lemonheads
  • HEY BABE - Juliana Hatfield
  • BURNING QUESTIONS - Graham Parker
  • PRIEST = AURA - The Church
  • TELEVISION - Television

1993

  • WILD WOOD - Paul Weller
  • BECOME WHAT YOU ARE - Juliana Hatfield
  • IN UTERO - Nirvana
  • ALTERED BEAST - Matthew Sweet
  • DREAMLAND - Aztec Camera
  • OFF THE GROUND - Paul McCartney
  • ELEMENTAL - Tears for Fears
  • MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH - Blur
  • BAD VIBES - Lloyd Cole
  • RESPECT - Robyn Hitchcock
  • COME ON FEEL THE LEMONHEADS - The Lemonheads

1994

  • DEFINITELY MAYBE - Oasis
  • SUPERUNKNOWN - Soundgarden
  • LIVE THROUGH THIS - Hole
  • PARKLIFE - Blur
  • SOMETIME ANYWHERE - The Church

1995

  • (WHAT'S THE STORY?) MORNING GLORY - Oasis
  • STANLEY ROAD - Paul Weller
  • ELASTICA - Elastica
  • ONLY EVERYTHING - Juliana Hatfield
  • THE GREAT ESCAPE - Blur
  • LOVE STORY - Lloyd Cole
  • 100% FUN - Matthew Sweet

1996

  • MY SECRET STUDIO, Vol. 1 - Bill Nelson
  • MOSS ELIXIR - Robyn Hitchcock
  • ALL THIS USELESS BEAUTY - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
  • ADVENTURES IN HI-FI - R.E.M.
  • EMANCIPATION - Prince
  • CAR BUTTON CLOTH - the Lemonheads
  • MOSELY SHOALS - Ocean Colour Scene

1997

  • ANDROMEDA HEIGHTS - Prefab Sprout
  • BLUR - Blur
  • IF YOU'RE FEELING SINISTER - Belle and Sebastian
  • MARCHIN' ALREADY - Ocean Colour Scene
  • O.K. COMPUTER - Radiohead
  • FLAMING PIE - Paul McCartney

1998

  • XO - Elliott Smith
  • UP - REM
  • MUTATIONS - Beck
  • HOLOGRAM OF BAAL - The Church
  • APARTMENT LIFE - Ivy
  • OVERCOME BY HAPPINESS - Pernice Brothers
  • THE BOY WITH THE ARAB STRAP - Belle and Sebastian

1999

  • 69 LOVE SONGS - Magnetic Fields
  • THE MAN WHO - Travis
  • STANDING ON THE SHOULDER OF GIANTS - Oasis
  • 13 - Blur
  • CAN YOU STILL FEEL - Jason Falkner
  • ONE FROM THE MODERN - Ocean Colour Scene