Although the 60's were undoubtedly the greatest decade in rock music history as far as revolutions were concerned (and in producing the most truly immortal albums), the 70's were arguably the best decade for producing the highest amount of great or classic albums. So just like the other two lists, here goes the one for this decade, and again, there's tons of great stuff I've yet to hear at this point from this period in music making, especially stuff from a lot of various 'scenes' at the time, so the list is a lot more subject to changes and additions more than any other (I haven't even begun to start with the 60's, really). Here goes nothing (sorry for the current predictable and unvaried state of this particular list):
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COMMENTS
Hi !
Don't you think such bands as Roxy Music and the Sparks really deserve to appear on such a list ? They've been most influential, and their songs, melodies and moods, have stood the test of time, bravelier than all those Yes albums in my opinion ! And why not Drums and wires, while you put several XTC records (and I think them much less impressive than D&W) on your 80s list.
And where are Siouxsie & the Banshees ?
Anyway, I'm most glad to have discovered your site ; I wish you could go on updating it with more and more reviews till the end of my life ! (and that's not for tomorrow)
Bye
Martin
I'm enjoying reading your reviews and have some quick comments.
I recently completed making a pair of Mix Cd's for the 70's and 80's respectively so I've spent a bunch of time immersed in those musical eras and, as such have some comments:
Artists that I would add in the 70's (unfortunatly I only have compilations for many of these people so I can't always select a specific album)
1) Townes Van Zandt (High Low and In Between/The Late Great TVZ would be one of my top 20 desert island discs -- it's absolutely phenomenal, and one of the best singer/songwriter sets that I've heard. I'm not a country fan, but he's not a country songwriter -- despite having been covered by Merle Haggard)
2) Jonathan Richman -- absolutely strange and wonderfull pop
3) Joni Mitchell -- the song that made it onto my mix was "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio" and the more I listen to it the more stronger it sounds. It's a pop masterpiece.
4) Tom Waits (The Heart of Saturday Night) -- I don't like Tom Waits workafter Heart of Saturday Night so I may not be the best person to judge, but I like the jazz/nightclub piano sound and the songwriting is, as always, far above average.
5) Richard and Linda Thompson (I want to see the bright lights tonight) -- more folky but better than Shoot Out The Lights.
6) Patti Smith (Easter) -- I challenge anyone to sit down and listen to this album all the way through and not recognize it as an amazing performace. Not to everyone's taste, but worth at least listening to.
7) Steely Dan -- I'm sure you know their reputation of this album and have chosen to not include them but IMO they are clearly one of the best bands of the decade.
8) Elvis Costello (My Aim is True) -- same comment as above.
9) The Cars (the cars) -- same comment as above, but not as good an album.