The Greatest Albums of 1978
Heavily inspired by the Youtube channel, Tastes Like Music, we thought it would be a fun challenge to rank our favorite albums from one specific year. We settled on the year of 1978, and over the course of the month of May, we agreed to only listen to albums from this year. While it is impossible to listen to every album released this year, as a group we listened to over 50 different albums.
Why 1978?
Well, this was not an easy decision, as there’s too many great years to choose from. Also, what if we picked a weak year?
Matt brought up a several great points, though. 1978 had decent variety in music genres, short run times, around 45-50 mins, and a few famous debuts. He also claims that this year has some of the greatest albums of all time, and an incredibly strong catalogue. Even though John and I wanted to review 1967, we heard him out and agreed to give it a shot.
After a month of albums from ‘78, I think it’s safe to say it was a great year for music. Check out some quick mini-reviews of our top 5 favorite albums from the year below.
Matt’s Top 5
5: Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, Devo
Great debut. Every song here sounds so different but they’re glue when played together, in order. Mothersbaugh’s dork-style vocals play well against the late 70s guitars. Don’t take themselves to seriously but not too goofy. Cool Eno production and “Shrivel Up” closer has such great guitar/bass riffs.
4: Dub Housing, Pere Ubu
Never heard of these guys (or, mostly David Thomas as I understand) before ‘78 month. But an immediate click for me. Their second album and second in ‘78 (gosh what a great year); this one hits a little harder for me. A little more cohesive and a string of songs on the second half of the album that beats everything else in ‘78. Thomas’ froggy, warbly lead vocals play with (his own) backing vocals plus the band in such a cool way. Beefheart and Talking Heads combo if I had to make a comp.
3: Dire Straits, Dire Straits
One of the many great debuts of ‘78. Knopfler is an alien and his tone is unbeatable. Could easily be an obnoxious guitar hero/gooner but knows exactly when to sit back and when to hit the gas. Great mix of songs that all stand on their own. Only gripe is “Water of Love” should be the closer.
2: Give ‘Em Enough Rope,The Clash
Similar to Some Girls, might not beat their debut or London Calling, but it’s right there. Joe Strummer so intense on every song but doesn’t overdo it. Can just naturally get to that primal gravel without much effort. Production is great and great rock closer.
1: Some Girls, Rolling Stones
What a comeback for the Stones. Such a fun, energetic (cocaine-fueled) listen and great sequencing and production. Ronnie Wood is all over this one, great on the pedal steel too. Don’t know if it beats Sticky Fingers or Exile but I’d put it right there. Shattered is a prefect closer too.
Matt’s Honorable Mentions:
Comes a Time, Neil Young - Just missed my top 5. Super pretty, catchy country songs, great production, great backing vocals by Nicolette Larson. “Motorcycle Mama” does not fit at all and takes album down a little
The Cars, The Cars - One of the best debuts ever, almost every song on classic rock radio. That might hurt it slightly.
Modern Dance, Pere Ubu - Another great debut. “Life Stinks” one of the best boppers of ‘78. Some annoying sounds tho and “Sentimental Journey” bad replay.
Here, My Dear, Marvin Gaye - Great production, cool synths, funk/disco feel. Very personal lyrics about his divorce, unusual material for r&b, but makes it stand out. A little long, side C could be taken off.
One Nation Under a Groove, Funkadelic - Great production, "Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!" best song. Def inspired Black Messiah by D’Angelo.
Wavelength, Van Morrison -Van sings his ass off on this one and great Garth synths and accordion.
Street Legal, Bob Dylan - Underrated Dylan album. He sings pretty well and good raw production. Great opener but not feeling “Señor”.
First Issue, Public Image ltd - Very different from Sex Pistols, much more experimental, prescient. “Religion I” is a skip after first time around and ‘Fodderstompf” sounds cool but vocals also make it a skip.
More Songs About Buildings and Food, Talking heads - Solid all around. No weak songs but no obvious zenith.
Next Year’s Model, Elvis Costello - I prefer his debut the year prior but still all solid boppy songs.
Luke’s Top 5
5: Wede Harer Guzo, Hailu Mergia
This album is incredible. It’s an innovative mix of jazz, soul, and funk, with the incorporation of traditional Ethiopian music. This melting pot of genres spawned an album that features screaming organs, twangy guitars, and soulful melodies. It also has a hazy atmosphere thanks to the lo-fi sounds of it’s cassette tape recording.
The combination of different musical elements, and history behind the making of this project make this a hypnotic experience that captured my imagination.
Wede Harer Guzo is a bit on the longer side for my liking, and could perhaps be a few tracks shorter, but it’s uniqueness makes this an easy selection for my top 5 .
4: Kaya, Bob Marley & the Wailers
What stood out to me the most from this record was the incredible production. Not only did Bob Marley kill it with the vocals, the band, especially the guitar playing, is smooth and clean sounding. The balance between Marley’s vocals and the band is nearly perfect. Songs like “Is This Love” exemplifies this. The beat, and guitar playing got me in a head rocking groove, while Marley sings incredibly catchy chorus.
Another great example of the flawless production here would be the track, “Satisfy My Soul” that some horns which are layered smoothly in the mix. Oh, and it’s just a great song!
Overall this is an easy listen, where each track flows into each other effortlessly. This was one of my most enjoyable listens from the month, and something I will go back to on a hot Summer weekend.
3: Waylon and Willie, Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson
Waylon and Willie is a well balanced, and memorable country album. It’s especially entertaining thank’s to the mixture of outlaw anthems, and slow burning love songs. Despite having such a different tone in their voice, Waylon and Willie’s vocals, and approach to each song mix flawlessly.
The album’s opener, “Mama Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys” reflects this album's balance the best. Waylon’s deep groggy singing, and Willie’s softer, melodic vocals are mirrored and enhanced by the muddy guitar riff, and the clean and classic steel guitar playing. Yin and Yang.
It can be tough to follow the best opening track of ‘78, but, “I Can Get off on You,” and “Don’t Cuss the Fiddle” are two other songs on the record where these two country music legends prove they are no one trick ponies.
Waylon puts a stamp on this album with the closing track, “The Wurlitzer Prize (I Can’t Over You)” a passionate, and haunting song about heart break.
2: Dire Straits, Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler steals the show on this Dire Straight’ debut record. Not only does he flat out shred, he never overplays, and his tone is iconic. There’s no better showcase of his skills than the track “Sultans of Swing.” Awesome solos, and a killer sound.
While Knopfler's guitar playing is phenomenal, the rest of the band shows up, and is just as impressive. For instance, the bass playing on “Water of Love” is chilly, and sets the mood. Plus there is also the drums on tracks like, “Settin Me Up,” that are punchy as hell. To top it all off, the Knoplfer bro’s singing is layered impeccably in the middle of the mix.
All together this record made me feel like I got second hand some from a dark , seedy biker bar.
1: Stardust, Willie Nelson
My number one album of 1978, is a beautiful set of old American pop standards covers, that sprinkles in a bit of country twang. Willie’s singing is incredible, and the production here from Booker T. Jones is some of the cleanest I’ve ever heard. It is an album that only someone like Willie Nelson could pull off.
“Georgia On My Mind” may be the most popular track from this album (and for good reason), however some of the slower, more serene tracks were my favorite. I resonated with the gentle approach to songs like, “Moonlight in Vermont.” His singing is truly underrated and under appreciated.
This record especially shines in how crisp it sounds. Nothing here is too loud, or overproduced. It is a halcyon experience that allows every lyric and instrument to breathe. Take the song, “Blue Skies” for example, where the guitar, piano, drums, harmonica, and Willie don’t try to out compete each other. Rather, they all co-exist peacefully.
Stardust’s calm, and tranquil vibes is a much needed break from this dopamine addicted modern world.
Luke’s Honorable Mentions
Next Year’s Model, Elvis Costello - Sounds like it could have come out in the early 00s, with it’s pop/punk vibes. Some of the tracks feel like they would fit right in on a Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtrack. Elvis’s voice sometimes doesn’t work for me, though.
More Songs about Buildings and Food, Talking Heads - A bouncy and energetic record. While there are no bad songs on this album, it does lack the one song that I want to go back to
Comes a Time, Neil Young - A pleasant country record, that has some fantastic songs. I can’t stand that track “Motorcycle Mama,” it annoys the crap out of me.
Cats Under the Stars, Jerry Garcia Band - The first half of this album is a banger, but the second half is a tad forgettable. “Rubin and Cherise” is an all-timer of a track.
John’s Top 5
5) Comes a Time, Neil Young
Where has this album been?? These are all great songs. This is something you could play in all 4 seasons of the year and it would hit just as good. Neil Young makes me dream of cornfields, a clunky tractor, horses racing a trainy. He makes me want to have a dirty old guitar. Maybe I should shoot my acoustic so it could have a hold in it like Willie Nelson's. Anyways, if you like folk and country, give this a listen. Of course Comes A Time is a fantastic tune, but there's a lot of other great songs like Lotta Love, Human Highway, Already One, and Four Strong Winds. Hey, I know that one! Phish played that with Neil. Sarach McLachlan too. (Phun Phact?!)
4) More Songs About Buildings & Food, Talking Heads
So this album is an interesting one to me. I didn't know many of these songs besides Found a Job (probably my favorite) and the Al Green cover of Take Me To The River (Shoutout to the Grateful Dead - 4/1/95 at the Pyramid Arena). To me, this album starts to really take off by Found a Job and onwards. I really loved Warning Sign and Stay Hungry. This will definitely be one I will go back and listen to. I may even have to keep an eye out on some live tapes from this era too.
3) Blue Valentine, Tom Waits
This album is a love letter, a drunk man, a rainy drive, a late night diner that smells, a cigarette, an enigma. It puts me on edge but keeps me engaged. You are only allowed to listen to this at 1:30am while driving home. That truck is awfully close, and how is that liquor store still open? Tom Waits captures it all, what I like about this album is how 1978 it sounds. Red Shoes by the Drugstore reminds of Taxi Driver, or even those Charles Bronson Death Wish movies. Of course Romeo is Bleeding will forever be the posterboy of this album for me. And I feel like $29.00, Wrong Side of the Road, and Whistlin' Past the Graveyard feel like these 3 rounders of blues. Listen to the lyrics of Kentucky Avenue, what an image.
2) Dire Straits, Dire Straits
I don't really know what else to say other than you really can't go wrong with this album..but I'll chime in some more. Mark Knopfler is certainly on my Mt. Rushmore of favorite guitarists. His ability to pick his way through these catchy riffs without being an in-your-face showoff is one of the many reasons that makes me come back to his music. This album gives me the vibe of being on the road outside of a rural town with your life drifting behind in the rear view. Maybe you've done some bad things, maybe you're on the run. Songs like Down to the Waterline, Six Blade Knife, Southbound Again prove so. A smash hit like Sultans of Swing still never gets old to me, and Wild West End feels like the movie is ending. I made it to Arizona.
1) Double Fun, Robert Palmer
-Yes, this is my number one. It came as a shock to my brothers, and maybe even for myself. I just love this album. I think this has an excellent flow from start to finish. I mean come on...Every Kinda People to open and Best of Both Worlds to follow. It really is Double Fun (He wasn't kidding). Come Over and Night People is great for some night time city driving. Hell, even the cover of You Really Got Me works. When I think of 1978, I think of this. Robert Palmer really started coming into his own at this point and this album certainly shows that. So hats off to you, Mr. Palmer.
Honorable Mentions
Some Girls, Rolling Stones - I'm not gonna get too into it, but it's a classic album for all the right reasons. A nice shift in their sound as they exit the 1970's. Can't go wrong with Miss You, When the Whip Comes Down, Before They Make Me Run and Beast of Burden
Pat Metheny Group, Pat Metheny Group - Incredible instrumental explorations, San Lorenzo is a great opener to this album and shows Pats abilities as well as his band. Jaco is a great jazz/funk tune, April Joy breathes and takes it time with the song - I love it when Pat does that.
Stardust, Willie Nelson - Really enjoyed this one during my 2nd listen. These are nice mellow country numbers. Of course you can't go wrong with Georgia on My Mind. Blue Skies and All of Me really kicks this album up a notch. Love the mellow tunes like September Song and of course Moonlight in Vermont...hello Phish at Farm Aid '98
Wavelength, Van Morrison - I was wrooong about this album. My thoughts and feelings turned a full 180 on this. These are catchy songs, Van's voice is great. He had a great sound during this 78-80 era. The first 4 songs are great, and Wavelength itself is a fun song - Santa Fe puts you in that Van trance and sets the mood. Hungry For Your Love as well. Take it Where You Find It makes a great closer
We had a phun time this May only listening to music from the year 1978. While we need a little bit of a break, we’re ready to tackle another year in the month of August.
Stay tuned to find out which year we settle on!
