The Adverts/Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts (1978)

An English punk band formed in 1976 by T.V. Smith (vocals, songwriting) and female bassist Gaye Advert, the Adverts' debut album (#38 on the UK album charts). Lots of dark, melodic songs filled with frustrations. Includes the singles, "One Chord Wonders", "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" (#18 on the UK charts), "Safety In Numbers" and "No Time To Be 21". Produced by John Leckie. Recommended to those who like the Damned and Buzzcocks. The 200 reissue CD "Ultimate Edition" includes 12 bonus tracks.

a-ha/Hunting High and Low (1985)

A Norwegian synth-pop band, a-ha's debut album. Song/melody-oriented synth-pop, like early Depeche Mode and the Lotus Eaters. Acoustic and transparent sound featuring Morten Harket's falsetto voice. Includes singles, "Take on Me" (#1 on the US/#2 on the UK charts) and "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." (#1 on the UK charts). Produced by Tony Mansfield and others. The single "Take on Me" became an international hit with the innovative music video (combination of pencil sketch-style rotoscoping animation and live-action) directed by Steve Barron.

Ashra/New Age of Earth (1976)

Ashra (the name for the second phase of Ash Ra Tempel) is an German progressive rock (Krautrock) group. Although released under the name of Ashra, this album is actually a solo album by the member Manuel Göttsching. Spacy and minimalistic synth-based electronica sound featuring Manuel Göttsching's guitar solo, like easy-listening music. One of the origins of so-called 'New Age Music'.

A Certain Ratio/I'd Like to See You Again (1982) *

A post-punk funk band formed in 1977 in Manchester, A Certain Ratio's third album. Released on Factory Records. The latin/jazz-oriented, minimal electro-funk sound is cool. Recommended as a new wave funk album with sophisticated sound. Includes "Touch", "I'd Like to See You Again", "Axis" and "Guess Who".

Arcadia/So Red the Rose (1985)

The side project of three Duran Duran members, Simon LeBon (vocals), Nick Rhodes (keyboards) and Roger Taylor (drums). Their only album. Arty and aesthetic synth pop. The guest musicians are Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour, Sting, Grace Jones, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Alomar, Andy Mackay (ex-Roxy Music), David Van Tieghem, Masami Tsuchiya (ex-Ippu-Do) and others. Co-produced by Alex Sadkin. Includes 'Election Day' (#7 on the UK/#6 on the US charts) and 'Goodbye Is Forever'.

Asian Dub Foundation/Community Music (2000)

An electronica band by British Asians (Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi), Asian Dub Foundation's third album. Electronica/dance sound with mixing of dub, reggae, jungle/drum'n bass, rap, punk and raga. Political lyrics against capitalism and racism. Includes 'Real Great Britain' and 'New Way, New Life'.

Anthrax/Among the Living (1987)

A heavy metal band from New York. Features Scott Ian (rhythm guitar), Dan Spitz (lead guitar) and Joey Belladonna (vocals). Powerful and aggressive thrash/speed metal influenced by NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) and hardcore punk.

ABBA/Arrival (1976)

The 1970s most commercially successful pop group from Sweden. Catchy melodies and beautiful chorus harmony. The 4th album featuring 'Dancing Queen', the No.1 hit in the charts in 13 countries, including the US and UK.

ABC/The Lexicon of Love (1982)

A danceable and stylish synth-pop band featuring Martin Fry (vocals). The 1st album that includes UK top ten hits 'The Look of Love' and 'Poison Arrow'. Catchy melodies. Produced by Trevor Horn.

AC/DC/Back in Black (1980)

A hard rock/heavy metal band from Australia. Featuring the guitarist Angus Young. No. 1 on the US album charts.

Aerosmith/Rocks (1976)

One of the most popular hard rock bands of the 1970s in the US. Featuring the guitarist Joe Perry and vocalist Steven Tyler.

Arto Lindsay (Ambitious Lovers)/Envy (1984)

Avant-garde works by using synth, by Arto Lindsay (guitar and vocals), who was an ex-member of DNA and the Lounge Lizards. Brazilian-music-style. Anton Fier, M.E. Miller and Peter Scherer joined. Includes the masterpiece 'Let's Be Adult'.

Ambitious Lovers/Greed (1988) *

The masterpiece by the duo of Arto Lindsay (guitar and vocals) and Peter Scherer (keyboards and synths). Muscular funk rhythms and Brazilian percussion.

Aphex Twin/Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (1992) *

A techno music pioneer from England, Richard D. James' early recordings. Products by home recordings. Inventive ambient techo/electronica sounds.

Aphex Twin/Richard D. James Album (1996)

An experimental techno album with a strange fusion between the ferocious beat by high-speed drum'n'bass (drill'n'bass) and beautiful, tranquil melodies like children's songs.

Arrested Development/3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992)

The atlanta-based hip-hop group led by the rapper/vocalist Speech, Arrested Development's debut recording. Earthy and Afro-oriented sounds fusing soul, funk and rap/hip-hop. A masterpiece that racked up sales of over seven million all over the world and won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. Features the smash hit 'Tennessee' (No.1 on the US R&B charts) and a cover of Sly & The Family Stone's hit 'People Everyday'.

Art of Noise/"Daft" (1983-84)

Innovative sounds by full use of sampling. A compilation from the recordings (produced by Trevor Horn) on ZTT label. Includes No. 1 hit on the US dance charts "Beat Box".

Associates/Sulk (1982)

The duo of Billy Mackenzie (vocals) and Alan Rankine (bass, guitar and keyboards). Dance/electronic pop in the New Romantics style. Billy Mackenzie's high tone vocals are cool. This 3rd album is a masterpiece of UK pop in the early 1980s. The US edition released from Sire differs from the original UK edition in track. The CD released in 2000 is the remastered version of the UK edition and bonus tracks added.

The Association/From the Original Master Tapes (?)

A soft rock group from the US. The chorus and harmony are beautiful. Contains 20 tracks. Includes "Cherish".

Atari Teenage Riot/Delete Yourself (1996)

Formed in 1992 in Berlin with the leader Alec Empire. Hardcore techno sound by mixing of hardcore punk, speed metal, high-speed breakbeats, jungle and so on. The lyrics clearly show the political radicalism (anti-capitalism, anti-Nazi). The album 'Delete Yourself', released on Alec's own label 'Digital Hardcore Recordings', is a reissue of the first full-length album '1995' with another title. 'Kids Are United!' is a cover of Sham 69's 'If the Kids are United'.

Aztec Camera/High Land, Hard Rain (1983) *

An acoustic-oriented guitar pop band from Glasgow, Scotland. Featuring Roddy Frame (guitar and vocals). The 1st album.