1978:

1. Pere Ubu - The Modern Dance
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s792.jpg
Okay, this is my favorite album from 1978, probably by far. It's another fine example of the avant-garde mixed with pop music to a wonderful effect. Quite simply, this is some of the post perfect pop music I have ever heard, and certainly some of the most fun.

2. Wire - Chairs Missing
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s1431.jpg
A great blend of the punkier style they used on Pink Flag and some of the more atmospheric sound that they'd explore on 154. Maybe their best, though 154 might just edge it out.

3. The Residents - Not Available
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s10584.jpg
If you're a fan of experimental music, this might be the album for you. It's nearly indescribable, and I don't want to strain my already poor summary/review skills.

4. Brian Eno - Ambient 1: Music for Airports
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s243.jpg
Probably Eno's ambient masterpiece, and a landmark recording. Absolutely beautiful music.

This is a group I've tried quite hard to like. I love the people they influenced, like Jesus & Mary Chain and the shoegaze movement....but this album sounds, to me, like largely the same groove from one track to the next, just with something different being whispered over it.

What do you think I'm missing? If you have any thoughts.

Nice! My favorite album of the 70's, maybe top 5 all time. I didn't like this at all when I first got it, but two months later it clicked perfectly.

I had the same idea for a long time. I'm not sure what exactly changed, but I think if you give it a few more listens it might just click at some point. That's all that really did it for me. I was just in the mood for it and realized how good it was.

*nod* Well, I keep revisiting it every few months. Some day!

1979:

1. James Chance and the Contortions - Buy (1979)
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s17243.jpg
My favorite album of 1979. Buy Contortions is a challenging mix of free-jazz and punk, but it's a ton of fun. Another one of those perfect mixtures of pop and experimentation.

2. Gang of Four - Entertainment! (1979)
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s9655.jpg
I have complete confidence in this record's ability to immediately grab your attention and never let go. One of the greatest post-punk albums ever (if not the greatest), and certainly one of the best too of the 1970s. Great.

3. Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s544.jpg
The atmosphere this album creates is hauntingly beautiful, and it's no wonder why this album was such a trailblazer for things to come. Just great.

4. Public Image Ltd. - Metal Box (1979)
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s16347.jpg
This isn't for everyone. It's an album that, yes, you do have to be in the mood for, but when you are, it delivers. This is dark, repetitive, and abrasive, but also as enjoyable as can be.

1980:

1. Talking Heads - Remain in Light
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s1036.jpg
It's hard for me to point out one single flaw with this album. Few albums have passed the test of time as well as Remain in Light has - but I guess that's what I'd expect from something so remarkably forward-thinking and perfectly executed. This is in my top ten for good reason.

2. The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s3190.jpg
A totally fun album from start to finish. Crazy Rhythms is also immensely influential, and The Feelies deserve much more credit than they receive.

3. The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s7323.jpg
I really, really like Underwater Moonlight. It's a glorious mixture of post-punk and jangle pop with obvious psychedelic influence. A neo-psychedelic masterpiece.

4. Circle Jerks - Group Sex
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s19521.jpg
Classic hardcore punk. Wastes no time with what it doesn't need - everything is short and to the point. Greatness.

I just picked this up last week, It's great. I especially like "Tonight", and since I got the expanded version, It also has the single, "She's a Reptile". A real grower, I like it more every time I listen to it.

Great choice on Circle Jerks.

Thanks sir!