Diversions

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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