In September of 1979, The Slits released their debut studio album. Recorded over ten weeks time at Ridge Farm Studios, the album is ground zero for the beginnings of what would happen in Olympia, WA ten years later. It’s influence is still being felt today and is (rightly so) considered by many a critic to…

In November of 1979 Marian Faithfull released her 7th studio album. The album is a comeback and also her masterpiece, following Marina’s trials and tribulations with anorexia, drug addiction, and homelessness. Let’s talk Marian Faithfull, Broken English!

In November of 1979 Japan released their 3rd studio album. Finding themselves floundering as a Glam act, the band decided to take a different musical path. Teaming up with famed Italian synth pioneer Giorgio Moroder for the single, “Life in Tokyo” and subsequently dismissing him for a full length record; the band decided to give…

In December of 1979, The Clash released one of the only double records worth talking about. Recorded over 3 months at Wessex South Studios w/ producer Guy Stevens, the album is a testament to the band’s talent and is truly one of the best records ever put to wax. Let’s talk The Clash, London Calling!

In July of 1979 Chic released their 3rd studio album. The record became a touchstone for the disco era and beyond, with it’s hit single, “Good Times” being heavily sampled in hip hop, notably on “Rappers Delight” and at least 215 other songs. Let’s talk Chic, Risqué!

In June of 1979, Joy Division released their debut album. It became the first LP put out by Factory records and the first of theirs to be recorded by Martin Hannett. The record’s use of space, odd percussive effects (see compressed air) and all around dark mood puts it far and away one of the…

In August of 1979, the Talking Heads released their third studio album. With Brian Eno in the production seat for the second time, the band continues their incredible streak creating some of the best albums put to wax. Lets talk Talking Heads, Fear of Music!

In March of 1979, The Fall released their debut album. Five days were booked at Sound Suite Studios to record these eleven songs but singer Mark E. Smith cancelled the first three on account of getting ill. The band knocked out the recording in a single day and the rest is history. Let’s talk The…

In October of 1979 The Police released their sophomore album. The album title roughly translates from French to “White Reggae” and sounds as such. Recorded over the course of four weeks at various times between February to August of the same year, the band was under no time crunch to produce and as a result…

In the year 1979, Can founder and AM radio enthusiast, Holger Czukay, released his 2nd album. Being of the Stockhausen school of music, Czukay used a snippets of shortwave radio recordings and painstaking built songs around them. The album is a triumph of primitive sampling and deserves to be heard. Let’s talk Holger Czukay, Movies!

In July of 1979, known Athenians and thrift store party rockers, The B-52’s released their self-titled debut. Back in April of 78 the band decided to release the single, “Rock Lobster”, to better help them book better shows and in so doing got themselves signed to Warner Bros. With the major label backing, the band…

MP3 Audio [51 MB]DownloadShow URL In October of 79, the Germs released their one and only full length album. Produced by Joan Jett and recorded over three weeks at Quad Teck studios, GI gives clarity to songs the band shambled through at their live shows. The title is taken from an acronym the band used…

In January of 1979, Sister Sledge released their 3rd studio album. All of the tracks were co-written & produced by Chic founders Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, spawning such singles as the titular “We Are Family”, “He’s The Greatest Dancer”, and “Lost In Music”. The record would go on to hit #3 on the Billboad…

In late July of 1979, AC/DC released their 6th studio album and would prove to be the last with Bon Scott. The record is the first to be produced by Mutt Lange, who put the band through their paces with 15 hour a day studio sessions over the course of two months. It eventually would…

In November of 1978, Siouxsie & The Banshees released their debut album. Recorded in one week and mixed in three, with lead singer Siouxie Sioux’s dark and haunting lyrics and delivery, angular guitars, bass led rhythm, and machine like drumming that’s heavy on the toms, the album is considered a watershed moment in the post-punk…

In September of 1978 former Roxy Musician turned sound sculptor, Brian Eno, released his 6th studio album. Before the advent of the Walkman when one traveled by plane, one was left to the devices of the airport’s music overlords; and that made Brian Eno mad. So mad, infact, that he spearheaded the advent of ambient…

In November of 78, known disease lacking youths and all around great band, X-Ray Spex, released their debut album. To say that Poly Styrene had a singular voice and style is an understatement and her contribution to punk rock cannot be overstated. Through her song-craft, vocal delivery and stage presence, she showed an entire generation…

In August of 1978 Chic released their 2nd studio album. The album was their most successful in a commercial sense, due in large part to the hit single, Le Freak, which dominated the charts globally, selling over six million copies in the US alone. Nile Rogers is on full display, here. Bask his disco guitar…

In April of 1978, beloved pot enthusiast and Highwayman, Willie Nelson, released his 22nd studio album. Following the breakout success of 1975’s The Redheaded Stranger, 1976’s platinum selling Wanted! The Outlaws, and 1978’s #3 Billboard Country Top Country Album, From Lefty To Willie, Nelson decided he’d like to record some songs from his childhood. With…

In December of 1978, Marvin Gaye released is 15th studio album. Herein lies the tale of a man, his divorce, the four months of studio time and double LP he made chronicling it. Let’s talk Marvin Gaye, Here, My Dear!

Known Australian band not named INXS or AC/DC, The Saints, released their sophomore album in May of 1978. Recorded in 1977 and originally title International Robots, the album is considered by the band to be their first proper release, as the previous record, (I’m) Stranded, was made of various demos. It is considered to be…

In June of 1978, known band featuring Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, released thier debut album. With Steve Winwood’s brother working the faders, the record took just under a month to produce. Critical reception varied from “an accomplished debut” to “It’s almost as if they were aware that their forte has nothing to do with what’s…