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The dismal season just passed often seemed a war between what's left of wit, compassion and power kind the trend to cynical audience manipulation and studio sleight of hand The 30 albums below, I hope, winnow as much as possible of the former qualities from what sometimes seemed to be overwhelming masses of the latter
1. Bruce Springsteen: Darkness on the Edge of Town
The year's most relentless rock and roll. By turns grim and triumphant, this is the album that showed Springsteen as a formidable guitarist as well as a world-class band leader, songwriter and vocalist. "Badlands" should have been an anthem, for everyone who really does "live it everyday."
2. Elvis Costello: This Year's Model
The grand cynic of the new wave is as relentless as Springsteen and less forgiving. Restored my faith in nay-saying for yet another year.
3. Cheap Trick: Heaven Tonight
Cogent, light-hearted hard rock from the Midwestern heartland.
4. Nick Lowe: Pore Pop for Now People
The self-styled Jesus of Cool (that's the English title of this album) is wacky and wonderful thanks to the Rockpile rhythm section, which also propels Dave Edmunds.
5. Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes: Hearts of Stone
The last of the great white R&B bands with a tough set guided by Southside's strong vocals and Steve Van Zandt's philosophical love songs.
6. Steve Gibbons Band: Down in the Bunker
The English Bob Seger? A veteran rock journeyman turns in a tough, committed set of songs.
7. The Cars: The Cars
The first platinum new wave album effectively melds art-rock experimentalism with punk sensibility.
8. The Who: Who Are You
The title's not the question of the year, it's the question of the era. Not always satisfying but eternally provocative, even if Keith Moon's death did sum up the dreary aspect of the year.
9. John Prine: Bruised Orange
Prine's first album in several years is perhaps the warmest of 1978. Fine love songs, excellent production by Steve Goodman and a hard-nosed perspective on life in working-class America.
10. Bob Seger: Stranger In town
Less majestic than Night Moves, but still a fine blend of Seger's talents as heavy metal rocker and introspective singer-songwriter.
11-20: Steve Forbert: Alive On Arrival; J. Geils Band: Sanctuary; Ramones: Road To Ruin; Lynyrd Skynyrd: Skynyrd's First and Last; Candi Staton: House Of Love; The Clash: Give 'em Enough Rope; Dells: New Beginnings; Elvis Presley: A Legendary Performer, Vol. 3; Dave Edmunds: Tracks On Wax 4; David Johansen: David Johansen.
21-30: Daryl Hall And John Oates: Along The Red Ledge; Teddy Pendergrass: Life Is A Song Worth Singing; Neil Young: Comes A Time; Tom Robinson Band: Power In The Darkness; Garland Jeffreys: One-eyed Jack; Ian Dury: New Boots And Panties!!; Patti Smith: Easter; Peter Gabriel: Peter Gabriel; Eddie Hinton: Very Extremely Dangerous; Wilson Pickett: A Funky Situation.
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