NME Writers Albums of 1976

NME Writers Albums of 1976
Authored By John Nicholson

The year before punk rock became a big thing in the UK was perhaps one of the greatest ever for classic rock, as the NME writers best albums of the year suggest. Desire is one of Dylan’s best albums of the 1970s, Station To Station is mind blowing and so different to anything else. Dr. Feelgood is hardcore R & B. Fantastic records from Steve Miller, Todd, Jackson Browne, Nils, Steely Dan, BOC, Emmylou and Thin Lizzy. 

What strikes me powerfully here is how varied the records were. Everything from proto-metal of Blue Oyster Cult to straight out country, raggae and folk, via ambient and the blues.  

The only two I don’t have here are the Gene Clark and the Graham Parker albums. I never got Parker, dunno why really, just didn’t connect with him. I bought Fly Like An Eagle on release and I played it all that long hot summer. Great memories. 

  1. Desire - Bob Dylan
  2. Station To Station - David Bowie
  3. Stupidity - Dr. Feelgood
  4. Heat Treatment - Graham Parker
  5. The Ramones - The Ramones
  6. Agents Of Fortune - Blue Oyster Cult
  7. Kate & Anna McGarrigle - Kate & Anna McGarrigle
  8. The Pretender - Jackson Browne
  9. Joan Armatrading - Joan Armatrading
  10. Cry Tough - Nils Lofgren
  11. Elite Hotel - Emmylou Harris
  12. Jailbreak - Thin Lizzy
  13. The Royal Scam - Steely Dan
  14. Fly Like An Eagle - Steve Miller
  15. Chicken Skin Music - Ry Cooder
  16. Rastaman Vibration - Bob Marley
  17. Hejira - Joni Mitchell
  18. Man In The Hills - Burning Spear
  19. Stretchin' Out - Bootsy's Rubber Band
  20. Hard Rain - Bob Dylan
  21. Faithful - Todd Rundgren
  22. Kaleidoscope Of Rainbows - Neil Ardley
  23. War In A Babylon - Max Romeo
  24. Old No. 1 - Guy Clark


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