Category Archives: Uncategorized

     Back to Florida, and back to reggae.  Interestingly enough, today we have the #1 rated album on rateyourmusic.com’s Top 10, “Heart of the Congos”, by another Jamaican act, The Congos.  Not Bob Marley, not Peter Tosh, not Toots and the Maytals, it is… The Congos.  At their core, The Congos are a two-person vocalContinue reading “The Congos “Heart of the Congos” (1977)”

     A third straight punk rock album?  What is happening here?  That’s what it looked like, as I began to play “Rattus Norvegicus” by the UK band, The Stranglers.  By the way, “Rattus Norvegicus” is the species name for brown rat.  So… yeah.  This album is #8 on loudersound.com’s Top 10 Punk Rock albums ofContinue reading “The Stranglers “Rattus Norvegicus” (1977)”

     The punk rock surge continues with the debut album from The Clash, another UK act.  More so than some of their peers, The Clash both evolved and devolved with time, moving beyond their punk roots to a more blended sound that has even migrated to the world of classic rock.  That said, this firstContinue reading “The Clash “The Clash” (1977)”

     As promised, we bash into 1977 with the sound of change.  Starting in February, we get the first full-length UK punk rock album from The Damned.  This album was produced by Nick Lowe and is the #5 rated punk rock album by loudersound.com.      It is ironic that just two days ago we wereContinue reading “The Damned “Damned Damned Damned” (1977)”

     Moving into 1977, this was a big year in popular music for me.  Today’s album was one of my favorites, and not only do I remember actively tracking all of the singles in the year-end countdown, it was one of my first real rock records I fully embraced from front to back.   Sure, IContinue reading “Fleetwood Mac “Rumours” (1977)”

     As I picked my list of albums, I intentionally stayed away from compilation albums, unless those were the only way to catch all of an artist’s major contributions, particularly before albums became a thing.  With a “Legend” like Bob Marley, who I am including most of his major releases from the 1970s, I mayContinue reading “Bob Marley “Legend” (1976)”

     In late 1976, Led Zeppelin released their live album soundtrack to the film, “The Song Remains The Same”.  Although I didn’t begin my lifelong fascination and fandom for the band until several years later, this album and film were one of the defining components of my musical existence from about 8th grade leading upContinue reading “Led Zeppelin “The Song Remains The Same” (1976)”

     I know it is all subjective, but now as I have listened to the first five Eagles albums, it is impressive to me that I feel like each one continues to improve on the previous release.  That trend can’t last forever, but I do feel like their fifth studio album, “Hotel California”, is byContinue reading “Eagles “Hotel California” (1976)”

     I invested a little extra time and attention on top of a busy weekend to make sure I gave today’s album its full consideration.  I listened to it with my friend Mike as we were driving into DC the other night, but realized it needed at least one more focused listen to fully appreciateContinue reading “Stevie Wonder “Songs In The Key Of Life” (1976)”

     Today’s album was released in Australia in 1976, but didn’t make it to the United States for 3 more years.  That said, we have the next release from AC/DC, and we have the next round of double-entendres and not-so-double-entendres with “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”.  As my friend Mike noted while we are listening,Continue reading “AC/DC “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” (1976)”