1. Tubeway Army - Replicas (1979)

Tubeway Army fronted by Gary Numan provided a new dark and engaging synthesizer sound with their second album ‘Replicas’, capturing dark sci-fi story elements and translating them into haunting tracks. Emerging from their more punk orientated debut, the collection of songs mixes upbeat keyboard tracks such as ‘Me I Disconnect From You’, with more moody and dark hits such as the classic off-key ‘Are Friends Electric?’ and the sinister ‘Down In The Park’. There are also heavier rock guitar led tracks including ‘You Are In My Vision’ and then two great instrumentals to finish the album.

2. Gary Numan - The Pleasure Principle (1979)

Gary Numan remained at the cutting edge of synth musical development in this era, incorporating a unique sound to ‘The Pleasure Principle’ with heavy use of an electronic viola and piano sound. The release of ‘Cars’, which largely remains his most famous single, instantly put him back at the top of the charts. Full of sweeping moods, the use of the moog synthesiser defines this album, which is regarded highly now as groundbreaking music from the early 1980’s that spawned a generation of bands that was to come. It still remains a unique sounding album that completely fills the room with soaring layered chords and deep bass rhythms.

3. Genesis - A Trick Of The Tail (1976)

‘A Trick Of The Tail’ is the most beautiful of the Genesis albums, with a slightly softer approach to many of their previous albums and a musical style that remains enthrallingly atmospheric and acoustically intricate throughout. The amazing guitar work on ‘Entangled’ and the soaring melody of ‘Ripples’ define this record as one of the greatest. There are many quaint stories told including ‘Squonk’, a mythical creature who when captured dissolves itself into tears, and the lengthy track ‘Mad Mad Moon’ is stunning. The excellent cover illustrations capture images from the songs themselves and all helps to draw the album together as a whole.

4. Camel - Moodmadness (1976)

Camel are a progressive rock band that found success with their ‘Mirage’ album in 1974, and followed up by the more experimental instrumental album ‘Snow Goose’ in 1975. Their best release for me was ‘Moonmadness’ a year later which successfully blends their two previous releases, this time with vocals present but more as backing than at the forefront of the songs. Musically this is an amazing record, a dreamy set of tracks which are brilliantly played and blend flutes and organ synths in ’Chord Change’ and ‘Airborn’ with roaming guitar solos in ‘Another Night’ and ‘Lunar Sea’. It is progressive but very musical and I wish there were more albums like it.

5. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977)

Fleetwood Mac, one of the all time great bands of the 70’s had a number of changes to their line up over the years, but peaked with ‘Rumours’ at the peak of their writing skills. Penned by various of band members it is packed full of hit single material with guitar work and rhythms that are simply excellent and with a real depth of intricacy to the musical layers. The most popular tracks include ‘Dreams’, ‘Don’t Stop’ and ‘Go Your Own Way’ but many others are instantly recognisable. The 2004 deluxe edition is an amazingly clear re-mastered recording and also has a superb band history write up in the booklet.

6. Genesis - And Then There Were Three (1978)

Following the departure of Steve Hackett from Genesis, the 3 remaining band members Banks / Collins / Rutherford (hence the title) wrote slightly more accessible mainstream tracks for this album which included their most successful top 3 hit single up to that time in ‘Follow You Follow Me’. Also included are excellent slower heartfelt tracks ‘Many Too Many’ and the rhythmic ‘Snowbound’, and the album has an overall consistent ambiance and moody quality. There is an amzing series of tracks to chill out to from The fantasy setting of ‘Scenes From A Nightsdream’, to the ballad ‘Say Its Alright Joe’ and beautiful ‘The Lady Lies’.

7. Abba - The Album (1978)

This was Abba’s finest album, following up the great ‘Arrival’ with a more complex and varied selection of tracks. It opens with the soaring masterpiece called ‘Eagle’ and follows with hit singles ‘Take A Chance On Me’ and the layered guitar ‘Name Of The Game’. Every track contributes well, including a rockier number ‘Hole In Your Sole’. The album concludes with a 3 track mini-musical which show of Abba’s talents for more complex layered writing with orchestral overlays which include the ever popular ‘Thank You For The Music’ (note the deluxe edition carries a great Doris Day version). A melodic and musical masterpiece.

8. Supertramp - Breakfast In America (1979)

This is commercially the highpoint for Supertramp’s long list of album releases and where ‘Breakfast In America’ just manages to beat the equally awesome ‘Crime Of The Century’ from 1974. This album contains a trio of major hit singles, ‘The Logical Song’, ‘Goodbye Stranger’ and ‘Take The Long Way Home’, but every track here is very strong indeed. It has its own unique sound, driven principally through its plinking piano keyboards and clarinet solos. The tracks ‘Lord Is It Mine’ and ‘Take The Long Way Home’ conveys such a feelings of longing that you cant help to be moved. One of the great albums to close out the 70’s.

9. Electric Light Orchestra - Discovery (1979)

The Electric Light Orchestra spearheaded by Jeff Lynn uniquely blends modern style pop songs with classical orchestral overtones. ‘Discovery’ has a slightly more disco orientation compared to their previous releases particularly with the uptempo ‘Shine A Little Light’ and ‘Last Train To London’. There are a selection of slower and more thoughtful tracks ‘Confusion’, ‘Midnight Blue’ and ‘Wishing’ and a lighthearted story tale in ‘Diary Of Horace Wimp’. The album concludes with a new wave thumping beat of ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’. The wonderful string arrangements bring this to life, and it is topped of with a really neat Arabian Knights cover theme.

10. Abba - Arrival (1976)

Widely considered as Abba’s first classic album, ‘Arrival’ is one of the finest collections of pop songs around. There are a trio of hit masterpieces here in ‘Knowing Me Knowing You’, ‘Money Money Money’ and the perfect ‘Dancing Queen’. These are ably supported by more rocky numbers such as ‘When I Kissed The Teacher’, ‘Thats Me’ and ‘Tiger’ along with a beautiful ballad in ‘My Love My Life’. The album concludes with an instrumental title track. I grew up with Abba on the radio and on my turntable, before entering a period where it wasnt cool to like the group. I am older and wiser now and this album is simply excellent and is back in fashion again.

11. Kate Bush - Lionheart (1978)

Lionheart is often the overlooked Kate Bush album, but its striking LP fatefold cover is worth a second glance on its own. Give it a chance and you may be completely drawn in to its melodies. What is really great about this album is the way it flows together and centres around her vocals and piano playing skills. At times it is just beautiful, ‘In Search Of Peter Pan’ and ‘Oh England My Lionheart’, and then sexy ‘Symphony In Blue’ or expansive ‘Wow’ and the haunting ‘Hammer Horror’. It also has upbeat moments like ‘Dont Push Your Foot On The Heartbrake’ and ‘Fullhouse’, and ‘In The Warm Room’ is a sensual masterpiece.

12. Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (1976)

This is another epic storytelling album from Genesis prior to the departure of Hackett, with epic tracks such as the ten minute ‘Eleventh Earl of Mar’ and the creative storyline of ‘One for the Vine’ following a progressing rock style with changing musical arcs and great lyrics. ‘Your Own Special Way’ is their first romantic ballad. ‘Wot Gorilla’ and ‘All in a Mouse’s Night’ carry a more humourus nature, the latter telling an insightful story from a mouse’s perspecive. ‘Blood On The Rooftops’ is another moving piece of music before launching into a superb classical guitar driven style which then leads into ‘Unquiet Slumber for the Sleepers’.

13. Chic - Risque (1979)

A tough call between Sister Sledge ‘We Are Family’ and Chic ‘Risque’ for the disco chart entry. Both are classic disco albums from the late seventies, and both are written by Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards during an inspired Altantic period. Littered with funky grooves, deep basslines and soft vocals this album is enchanting, musical and melodic. There were a string of disco hits from this album ‘Good Times’, ‘My Forbidden Lover’, and ‘My Feet Keep Dancing’ but the supporting ballad tracks are class as well such as ‘A Warm Summer Night’. A great album to lift your spirits and chill out to and a classic from the era.

14. Billy Joel - The Stranger (1977)

The huge breakthrough album for Billy Joel, and almost a best of collection in its own right with amazing writing and great songs throughout, including the hit singles ‘Always A Woman’, ‘Moving Out’ and the beautiful love song ‘Just The Way You Are’. The seven minute slice of life storyline of Brenda and Eddie in ‘Scenes From An Italian Restaurant’ is a standout album track alongside the rockier ‘Only The Good Die Young’ and ‘The Stranger’ title track. This became one of the biggest selling albums of the 70’s are rightly so given its quality both musically and lyrically. This is the high point of Billy Joel’s career.

15. Eagles - Hotel California (1976)

The Eagles had their biggest album success in 1976 with ‘Hotel California’, the title track also becoming one of the all time classic singles. This album was put together over the course of two years as the follow up to ‘One Of These Nights’ and it is full of fabulous songs spawning 3 hit singles via the opening tracks starting with the most famous and followed by ‘Life In The Fast Lane’ and ‘New Kid In Town’. The closing track is another epic over 7 minutes long called ‘The Last Resort’. The album contains variety with a mix of rock, blues and a little country with guitars overlaying electric and acoustic and with occasional orchestral themes.