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Here's my list of the 10 best albums of 1979. You won't find the Doobie Brothers here or the Eagles or a lot of other established artists. Most of these performers are either brand new to the scene or relatively new. Rock 'n' roll needs new blood, and these 10 have provided the year's best transfusions.
Rickie Lee Jones — Rickie Lee Jones (Warner Bros. Records) — Quite simply the best record of 1979 and made by a brand new artist.
Rickie Lee sings with such assurance and writes such varied and smooth songs that it's hard to believe she's a novice.
To listen to Rickie Lee Jones once is enough to know that here is a new singer of staggering talent.
The Roches — The Roches (Warner Bros.) — Three sisters from Jersey (What a tough way to start life!) effect sisterly harmonies that soar in an informal, but tuneful and precise manner.
Homely, engaging, charming, sometimes silly, the Roches are a step away from the mainstream. Listen to "Hammond Song" for folk harmonies that will make you want to spend the day gazing out your favorite picture window.
Armed Forces — Elvis Costello (Columbia Records) — I missed the boat on this record at first. Repeated listenings reveal Armed Forces to be very nearly as good as Costello's ground-breaking first album, My Aim Is True.
Costello is a ruffian, no doubt. But, his antics on tour, his unseemly attacks on the hands that have fed him and his mock-rebellious stance can't really undo what his talent has done: make one of the finest albums of the year.
In The Heat Of The Night — Pat Benatar (Chrysalis Records) — Pat Benatar's voice is her forte. Period. Her "Heartbreaker" is the hottest single take of the year. "Heartbreaker" will turn your stereo speakers temporarily into microwave ovens it's that hot.
Discovered in a New York boite, Miss Benatar is catching on, although it's taken longer than I had believed it would. A dark-haired sprite with a voice that will sing to the '80s, Miss Benatar is an artist to keep your eyes on.
Strange Man, Changed Man — Bram Tchaikovsky (Polydor Records) — With a name that's hard to forget, this Englishman pulls out all the stops. An unspectacular vocalist, Tchaikovsky's a superior guitarist in the manner of Pete Townshend and plays energetic, loud, scruffy, euphoric rock 'n' roll.
If you don't believe it, listen to "Girl Of My Dreams," a song that combines Tchaikovsky's dynamic guitar work with a neat melody on top.
Nicolette — Nicolette Larson (Warner Bros. Records) — Originally a Kansas City lass, Miss Larson struck out for LA and ended up, not pumping gas, but recording a hit record. Ah, the stuff dreams are made of!
She deserves her good fortune, though. Endowed with a strong voice and a girl-next-door style, Miss Larson secured her place in the pop firmament by recording Neil Young's "Lotta Love," an upbeat tune that went straight up the charts.
Labour Of Lust — Nick Lowe (Columbia Records) — Nick Lowe has been kicking around for some time, but with Labour of Lust, he emerges as the Paul McCartney of the '80s. A songwriter of remarkable range, Lowe pumps out infectious pop music in a variety of styles.
He writes short, easy-to-grasp tunes and plays them in the currently fashionable "minimalist" mode — i.e. few instruments and spare production.
Stateless — Lene Lovich (Stiff/Epic Records) — Here's a new artist who escaped the attention of the media, despite the fact her first record is a luminous, if oddly shaped, gem.
Stateless is just different. Miss Lovich sings in a tightly controlled, almost cybernetic way — she sometimes sounds like a computer come to life. But, as "Too Tender To Touch" shows, she has a more traditional, softer side as well.
American Garage — Pat Metheny (ECM Records) — 1979 was Pat Metheny's year. Another area musician (he's from Lee's Summit), Metheny landed on the cover of jazz's premier journal, Downbeat and, months later, emerged on the pop charts as well.
Though Garage is not as sophisticated as Metheny can be, the record is a wholly original blend of cool jazz guitar, brilliant piano by Lyle Mays and a mellow kind of rock. Bravo, Metheny!
Duty Now For The Future — Devo (Warner Bros. Records) — Your duty for the future is to listen to this album. Devo, a crazy quintet from Akron, Ohio, is one of the most original bands in the world.
Duty Now For The Future is not easy to listen to. But duty calls...
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