Bulldog

Right, I've fallen behind with this thread a bit, so here are next eight to make up for missing out yesterday.

The first lot;

84. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)

I don't really need to explain myself here do I.
The best bits: What's Happening Brother, Flying High (In the Friendly Sky), Right On

83. The Buzzcocks - Another Music In a Different Kitchen (1978)

Personally, the Buzzcocks' (Devoto-less) debut could be my favourite first wave British punk (-pop) album, boasting some all-round great rock songs with such great instrumentation that it lets the whiny angst in the lyrics be put on the back burner for the listener. Worth it for the last track alone. Terrific musicianship and songwriting is here for all to see, in the form of another shining example of Brit punk at its best.
The best bits: No Reply, I Don't Mind, Moving Away From the Pulsebeat

82. Kraftwerk - The Man-Machine (1978)

Crikey, a lot of these are from '78 eh. Ah well. Anyway, Kraftwerk are another one of the artists you'll find in this list which it's painfully difficult to pick one album from. Trans-Europe Express, Autobahn and Computer World narrowly missed out on a spot here, but the reason this makes it is partly because it's the first entirely electronic album I ever bought. Also, it's one of the best 'downtime albums' I've ever invested in as well, as it just draws up such beautiful images upon listening. Basically, I love it to bits.
The best bits: Spacelab, Metropolis, The Model

81. Bob Dylan - Desire (1976)

I've never really been too keen on Dylan to be honest. Or at least not 'til recently. I always used to think he was kind of overrated until a former flatmate of mine played me Hurricane, which I loved. About a year later I got this album, which (evidently) I also love. As with all the truly great folk music, the main strength is for me in the lyrics and their being backed up by laid back, non-too-intrusive music and production styles. One of the best of the genre I reckon. I can see myself getting into more of this guy's stuff.
The best bits: Hurricane, Isis, One More Cup Of Coffee (Valley Below)

Bulldog

And the next batch;

80. Gang Of Four - Entertainment! (1979)

Another post-punk classic here, this time in the form of the debut effort from Leeds' favourite commies! As well as being one of the earliest examples of funk and rock being combined, it naturally takes those two genres and injects them with the energy and flair of the Sex Pistols, mixes them up and from the puff of smoke which follows such a genre experiment comes a spiky, energetic record with a real fire in its belly.
The best bits: Not Great Men, I Found That Essence Rare, At Home He's a Tourist

79. Blur - Parklife (1994)

Another pretty obvious choice I don't really need to explain. One of the finest pop records of all-time - if you don't dig there's something very wrong with you.
The best bits: Tracy Jacks, Clover Over Dover, Magic America

78. The Residents - Third Reich 'n' Roll (1976)

The Residents are another one of those bands you'd have fun trying one album for a list such as this from. This gets the spot here though for the fact it's such a mind-bogglingly avante-garde effort, while steering well clear of the pretentious margin, and massively rewarding upon repeated listenings. For those of you who don't know it, it's basically one 36 minute long medley of various 60s pop songs (among them Hey Jude, Yummy Yummy Yummy and I Want Candy) being completely butchered by the band.
The best bits: just brew a cuppa coffee and listen to the whole thing

77. The Meteors - Stampede (1985)

Definitely my favourite psychobilly album this. A really exciting effort from the band which arguably gave the sub-genre its distinct sound, featuring some absolutely insane guitar-work from P. Paul Fenech as well. These guys deserve to be better known.
The best bits: Hoover Rock, Kit Boy, I'm Just a Dog

I'll think about it...

Molecules

I never got round to this; the 'Singles Going Steady' and Spiral Scratch (he was right to leave but Devoto Buzzcocks were just a dream) would make my top 100 though easily. Mr. Shelley is one of the formative pop songwriters of the era, the sexually-frustrated spotty-teen angst is all part of the appeal!

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Bulldog

Enjoy There'll be a new one up soon enough as well (next couple of days I imagine).

I've had the album for years - I thought you'd have ripped it off me ages ago. If you want a link, just let us know

Bulldog

76. Madness - Absolutely (1980)

You can't not love Madness really can you? And I'm proud to say the first tune I heard in 2008 was Baggy Trousers live on Jools Holland. Ah, good times! The album... it's a really fun, energetic and bouncy work of ska with added pop and rock 'n' roll spices, and one of the essentials of the genre in my opinion.
The best bits: Baggy Trousers, E.R.N.I.E., Solid Gone

75. 10cc - The Original Soundtrack (1975)

Alright, it's the only 10cc album I have, but I still think it's worth its place in this particular list. As an album it puts prog and the soft-rock inclinations of Steely Dan through the mangle and comes up with some very good results indeed, and not only that but I'm Not In Love is a masterpiece. This definitely has its moments, but unfortunately the whole album isn't quite as strong as its highlights, so its a well-earned place in this particular bracket.
The best bits: I'm Not In Love, Brand New Day, Life Is a Minestrone

74. The Pop Group - Y (1979)

And here we have an album that's great for all the opposite reasons. Recorded as it is by a bunch of geezers who had no idea how to play their instruments (except for their drummer), it's basically a glorious mess of funky post-punk which uses the odd disco rhythm here and there (as on She Is Beyond Good and Evil, one of the classics of the movement). Very difficult to truly love, but naturally it clicks after more than one listen, and it's truly one of the most forward-thinking albums of the time.
The best bits: She Is Beyond Good and Evil, We Are Time, the Boys From Brazil

73. Air - Moon Safari (1998)

Another item of electronica/trip-hop here and another one of France's finest musical exports, the moods and textures of this album really are quite something, again managing to keep your undivided attention throughout the chilled out ambience which dominates the record with some great bass rhythms (Talisman is basically worthwhile ambience by numbers). Another one of those downtime albums which make for a pretty important part of any music library.
The best bits: Sexy Boy, Talisman, You Make It Easy

Molecules

one night in pariiiiiis... COULDBEYOURLAST

How Dare You's better!

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Bulldog

Moon Safari's just sheer class. Great music to just kick back and unwind to. As for the Specials, I hate to spoil future inclusions in the list, so I'll just say you'll find out soon enough

I'd like to refute that statement in a mature and dignified manner

Get on em-ess-en btw. I'll be online in a bit.

jacklovezhimself

yesyesyes!

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4ZZZ

Nice one Bulldog. I caught 10cc live September 5th 1977 at Brisbane's Festival hall. One of the tightest bands I have ever seen. Fine musicians and underrated IMO. I have to admit to not listening to them in many a long year though. IIRC there was a song called Blackmail that had a really good guitar solo.

almauro

Very under appreciated art-pop classic. Queen fans should have a listen.

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