Randy Newman/Sail Away (1972)

A songwriter, arranger, singer, pianist known for his mordant and satirical pop songs filled with love and hate for his country the United States in the late 1960s and 1970s, and his many film scores since the 1980s. His third studio album. Melodic songs mainly based on the piano accompaniment with orchestra. He himself said this combined the three elements, the orchestrated pop of his first album "Randy Newman" (1968), rock-oriented sound with the band in his second album "12 Songs" (1970), and songs with accompaniment on the piano in "Randy Newman Live" (1971). Includes many songs covered by other musicians. The title track "Sail Away" is covered by Ray Charles and Linda Ronstadt. "Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear" is a song offered to Harpers Bizarre. Ry Cooder (guitar) joined. Produced by Lenny Waronker and Russ Titelman.

N.W.A/Straight Outta Compton (1989)

The rap group featuring Ice Cube. Formed in Los Angeles, CA in 1986. A west coast hardcore/gangsta rap classic released in 1989. Includes a controversial track "Fuck tha Police" (FBI and the U.S. Secret Service ordered them never to perform the song).

Gary Numan/The Pleasure Principle (1979)

British synth pop influenced by Kraftwerk, David Bowie and Brian Eno. Thick sound with using analog synths (Minimoog). A smash hit album (#1 on the UK/#16 on the US album charts) featuring 'Metal', 'Complex' and 'Cars' (#1 on the UK/#9 on the US charts).

Night Ranger/Midnight Madness (1983)

One of the most popular hard rock bands of the mid-1980s US, Night Ranger's second album. Featuring twin-lead guitar of ex-the guitarist of Ozzy Osbourne's band, Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson known for his eight-finger technique. Melodic pop-metal. Catchy songs. A hit album that includes a ballad "Sister Christian" (#5 in the US charts) and "(You Can Still) Rock in America".

Napalm Death/Scum (1987)

The rock band from England, Napalm Death's debut album. The originator of 'grindcore', noisy heavy metal with high-speed blastbeat, influencd by thrash metal and hardcore punk.

Naked City/Naked City (1990)

Featuring John Zorn (alto sax), Bill Frisell (guitar) and Fred Frith (bass). Noisy, speedy and concentrated hardcore sounds. Includes several covers of movie themes.

Neu!/Neu! (1972)

The first album by the duo of Michael Rother (guitar) and Klaus Dinger (drums), ex-Kraftwerk members. The first track 'Hallogallo' is cool. Minimalistic, repetitive monotone beat. Greatly influential in later new wave in the late 1970s to the early 1980s (DEVO, Public Image Ltd., Joy Division and so on) and contemporary electronica music.

New Musik/From A to B (1980)

The U.K. synth-pop group featuring Tony Mansfield (guitar, keyboards, vocals), who worked as a producer with Captain Sensible, Naked Eyes, A-Ha, Mari Wilson and others in the 1980s. The debut album. Acoustic-oriented and bubblegum-tinged synth pop with using white noise. The most pop-oriented album of all the three New Musik albums, for it features the singles, "Straight Lines", "Living by Numbers", "This World of Water" and "Sanctuary".

New Order/Substance (1981-1987)

Dance-beat techno by ex-Joy Division members. A collection of singles. Includes "Blue Monday".

New Order/Low-Life (1985)

3rd album. Includes "The Perfect Kiss".

New Order/Technique (1989)

5th album recorded in Ibiza Island, Spain. Includes acid-house-style "Fine Time".

New York Dolls/New York Dolls (1973)

Queer rock'n'roll, like glam rock or punk. 1st album. 2nd album "Too Much Too Soon" is recommended too.

Nico/Chelsea Girl (1967)

An actress/model from Germany who joined the Velvet Underground's debut album as a vocalist. Her solo debut album. Folk-rock-flavored beautiful sound featuring Nico's languid vocals with arpeggio guitar, string quartet and flute. The songs by Lou Reed, John Cale, Jackson Browne and others. Produced by Tom Wilson.

Nine Inch Nails/The Downward Spiral (1994)

A one-man unit by volcaist/producer/multi-instrumentalist Trent Reznor. Noisy industrial sound featuring metal guitars, in a direct line from Ministry. The second album.

Nirvana/Nevermind (1991)

Heavy guitar pop (grunge). Noisy and melodic.

Northside/Chicken Rhythms (1991)

A guitar pop band from Manchester. Danceable beats.

Laura Nyro/New York Tendaberry (1969)

A singer/songwriter from Bronx, New York. Spiritual, expressive and free-form singing based on gospel, soul, folk, and jazz, with her own piano accompaniment.