Sharply dressed, socially switched-on and tremendous fun, ‘The Specials’ typified the 2 Tone era and remains relevant in 2019.
While synthesisers had been around for a while by 1979, Gary Numan’s chilly, immersive album ‘The Pleasure Principle’ represented a Year Zero for commercially successful electronic pop.
The point at which Paul Weller’s muse kicked in to life, ‘All Mod Cons’ was the start of The Jam’s imperial phase, full of incisive social observations and razor-sharp punk.
Popularising new-wave in the American mainstream, Blondie’s third album ‘Parallel Lines’ was a masterclass in aesthetic.
Meat Loaf’s 1977 debut album ‘Bat Out Of Hell’ utterly defines a very specific and theatrical type of rock ‘n’ roll record.
The second of the so-called ‘Berlin trilogy’, “Heroes” is one of the most complete works of Bowie’s illustrious and varied career.
Ian Dury’s debut album ‘New Boots And Panties!!’ often sounds rather dated 40 years later, but was one of the surprisingly few great albums of first-wave British punk.
Housing two of his most famous hits, Iggy Pop’s second solo album ‘Lust For Life’ turned a proto-punk icon into a mainstream star.
The story of Elvis Costello, one of the most gifted songwriters in English pop history, started 40 years ago with ‘My Aim Is True’.
One of the most commercially successful albums of first-wave British punk, The Stranglers’ debut ‘Rattus Norvegicus’ turns 40 years old.
