If you like electric guitar and a whole ton of energy – you’ll want to listen to the best punk albums. We dove deep into the archives, and came up with this list of the 25 albums you’ll definitely want to check out.
Best punk albums
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- Robb, John (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 576 Pages - 07/17/2012 (Publication Date) - PM Press (Publisher)
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- Dennis Parker, Robert Kerman (Actors)
- Carter Stevens (Director) - Carter Stevens (Writer) - Carter Stevens (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
- Lloyd Kaufman, Pennywise, Andrew W.K. (Actors)
- Doug Sakmann (Director)
- Audience Rating: Unrated (Not Rated)
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- Perlin, Brenda (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
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Crank up the volume, and scarf down some caffeine. You’ll want to blast the albums as loud as possible – trust us. 🎸
1. The Clash – London Calling (1979)
The Clash’s third album, London Calling, was released in 1979 to critical acclaim. The double album is widely considered one of the best punk albums ever made, and it cemented the band’s reputation as one of the most important groups in rock music.
The album’s title refers to the BBC World Service’s “London Calling” radio program, which was a source of inspiration for the band during their early days in London. The album’s artwork features a photograph of bassist Paul Simonon smashing his bass guitar onstage at the Palladium in New York City.
The album’s track list includes such classics as “London Calling,” “Clampdown,” “Train in Vain,” and “Rudie Can’t Fail.” London Calling was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
2. Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977)
This album was released on October 28, 1977 by Virgin Records in the United Kingdom and by Warner Bros. Records in the United States. It was considered highly controversial at the time of its release due to its explicit lyrics and album cover, which featured a close-up photograph of genitalia.
The album’s title caused controversy when it was first announced, with some people finding it offensive. The band’s record label, Virgin Records, received complaints from customers who were offended by the title and threatened to return the album for a refund. However, the label stood by the band and released the album as planned.
Critical reception of the album was initially mixed, but it has since been hailed as one of the greatest punk rock albums of all time.
3. Ramones – Ramones (1976)
Ramones is the eponymous debut album by American punk rock band Ramones, released on April 23, 1976 by Sire Records. Produced by Craig Leon, the album’s 33⅓ RPM vinyl format caused it to play at a faster speed than contemporary pop music, and its concise song structures and upfront attitude have been acknowledged as major influences by many subsequent artists. The album peaked at number 111 on the US Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum in December 1989. On March 14, 2002, Ramones was ranked number 33 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Ramones was recorded in February 1976 over a period of four days at Media Sound Studios in New York City, with Craig Leon serving as producer, engineer and mixer. Leon had recently completed work on the first two albums by the punk rock group Blondie and was keen to work with a similar band. Joey Ramone later said that Leon was “the only person we knew who could actually record us” and that he “knew how to capture that sound”.
4. The Stooges – Fun House (1970)
Fun House is the second album by The Stooges. It was released in 1970 on Elektra Records. The album peaked at number 96 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the band’s most successful album commercially.
Fun House was recorded in May 1970 at Elektra Sound Studios in Los Angeles. The album was produced by Don Gallucci, who had previously worked with artists such as The Doors and David Bowie. Gallucci gave the band free rein to experiment with their sound, and as a result, the album features a more diverse range of styles than their debut album.
5. MC5 – Kick Out the Jams (1969)
Kick Out the Jams is the debut album by American rock band MC5, released on Elektra Records in October 1969. The album was recorded live at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit over two nights in October 1968, and it features the band’s now-famous call to action, “Kick out the jams, motherfucker!” The album is considered an important proto-punk release.
6. Patti Smith Group – Horses (1975)
Horses, the debut album by the Patti Smith Group, is widely considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time. Released in 1975, it combined elements of rock, punk, and blues to create a sound that was completely unique at the time. The lyrics were also highly personal and political, with Smith often drawing on her own life experiences for inspiration. The album opener, “Gloria”, is a perfect example of this approach, as it tells the story of Smith’s meeting with her idol, rock legend Jim Morrison. Despite its critical acclaim, Horses was not a commercial success at the time of its release. However, it has since been cited as an influence by numerous artists, including Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain.
7. Television – Marquee Moon (1977)
Television’s debut album Marquee Moon is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important records of the 1970s. It is a perfect snapshot of New York City at that time – gritty, dangerous and full of possibilities. The band expertly blended elements of punk, art rock and pop to create a sound that was entirely their own.
Marquee Moon is an atmospheric and cerebral record that captures the feeling of restless youth searching for something new and exciting. The title track is a ten-minute tour de force that reflects the band’s unique ability to improvise and create tension within their music. Television were true pioneers in every sense of the word, and Marquee Moon is a timeless classic that deserves to be heard by anyone interested in great rock music.
8. Richard Hell and the Voidoids – Blank Generation (1977)
As one of the pioneers of punk rock, Richard Hell and the Voidoids’ Blank Generation is a seminal album in the genre. Featuring such iconic tracks as “The Kid With the Replaceable Head” and “Love Comes in Spurts”, the album is a searing indictment of American society in the late 1970s.
9. Talking Heads – 77 (1977)
Talking Heads isn’t just one of the greatest albums of the ’70s; it’s one of the most important records of all time. In a decade defined by excess, Talking Heads were a band of minimalists, paring their sound down to its essence and crafting some of the most inventive, danceable and influential music ever made.
Formed in 1974 by art-school graduates David Byrne, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, Talking Heads began as a quirky new wave act before evolving into something far more ambitious on 1977’s Talking Heads: 77. The album introduced the world to Byrne’s off-kilter songwriting and distinctive vocal delivery, while also showcasing the band’s gift for creating catchy, danceable tunes.
In addition to its catchy hooks and danceable beats, Talking Heads: 77 is notable for its use of found sounds and African rhythms, which would become a staple of the band’s sound on subsequent albums. The album’s standout tracks include “Psycho Killer,” “Pulled Up” and “The Good Thing.”
10. X-Ray Spex – Germfree Adolescents (1978)
Germfree Adolescents is the debut album by English punk rock band X-Ray Spex. It was released on 20 October 1978 by Virgin Records. The album was produced by Nigel Gray and engineered by Mike Thorne.
The album’s title refers to young people who have been raised in a sterile environment and are consequently immune to diseases. The album’s concept was inspired by a television documentary about germ-free mice, which singer Poly Styrene had seen shortly before writing the song “Germ Free Adolescents”.
11. Siouxsie and the Banshees – The Scream (1978)
The Scream is the debut studio album by English post-punk band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released on 13 November 1978 by Polydor Records. Upon its release, The Scream was widely acclaimed by critics.
One of the most striking things about The Scream is how well it holds up over time. This is an album that sounds as fresh and vital today as it did when it was first released over 40 years ago.
There are few albums that can truly be considered game-changers, but The Scream is one of them. With its mix of punk attitude, gothic sensibilities and pop hooks, the album paved the way for a whole new genre of music.
12. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)
Joy Division’s debut album, Unknown Pleasures, was released in June 1979. The album was recorded over a period of several months in early 1979, at various studios in Manchester. The band’s producer, Martin Hannett, took a very hands-off approach to the recording, allowing the band to experiment with their sound without his input. The result is an atmospheric and unsettling record, with Joy Division’s signature sound of post-punk guitars and Ian Curtis’s haunting vocals.
13. Wire – Pink Flag (1977)
Wire’s debut album Pink Flag is widely regarded as one of the most influential records of the post-punk era. The record is a mix of catchy pop hooks and angular, discordant guitar work that would come to define the band’s sound. The lyrics are often obtuse and cryptic, but they perfectly capture the feeling of alienation and frustration that was so prevalent in the late 1970s. Wire would go on to release a number of other great albums, but Pink Flag remains their definitive statement.
14. The Cramps – Songs the Lord Taught Us (1980)
The Cramps were one of the most influential bands of the early punk era, and their debut album Songs the Lord Taught Us is widely considered to be a classic of the genre. The album is a mix of covers and original songs, all of which are performed in the band’s signature style: a blend of garage rock, surf rock, and psychobilly that is as unique as it is catchy. The album’s standout tracks include “I Was a Teenage Werewolf,” “Garbageman,” and “Human Fly.” While the album may not be as well-known as some of the other punk classics from this era, it is nonetheless an essential listen for anyone interested in the history of punk rock.
15. Black Flag – Damaged (1981)
“Damaged” is the first album by Black Flag, released in 1981 through SST Records. It was the band’s only album with lead singer Ron Reyes and their only album with guitarist Dez Cadena, who later switched to bass. The album was produced by Spot and recorded at his studio, Total Access Recording in Redondo Beach, California.
The album was highly influential within the hardcore punk scene, particularly for its raw sound and angry lyrics. Allmusic called it “one of the most important hardcore punk albums ever made”. In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it number 426 on their list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
16. Dead Kennedys – Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980)
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables is the debut studio album by American punk rock band Dead Kennedys. It was first released on August 27, 1980, through Cherry Red Records in the United Kingdom and later issued by Manifesto Records in the United States. The album found an audience among music fans outside of the mainstream punk scene due to its combination of punk’s energy with surf rock’s instrumental chops andworking-class attitude.
Critical reception to Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables has been overwhelmingly positive; it is considered one of the greatest punk albums of all time, as well as one of the most important albums of the 1980s. In 2003, the album was ranked number 245 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
17. Minor Threat – Out of Step (1983)
In 1983, Minor Threat released their only album, Out of Step. The record is widely considered to be a punk classic, and it helped to cement the band’s place in the history of punk rock. The album’s themes are largely political, and its lyrics deal with topics such as racism, drug addiction, and violence. Musically, the album is fast-paced and aggressive, with short, sharp songs that pack a punch. Minor Threat were one of the first bands to embrace the straight edge lifestyle, and their music reflects this commitment to sobriety and clean living. Out of Step is an essential album for any fan of punk rock.
18. Hüsker Dü – Zen Arcade (1984)
By the early ’80s, the American punk rock scene had largely devolved into a parody of itself. The music was too safe, the fashion too commercialized. Bands like the Ramones and the Sex Pistols had been taken over by the mainstream, while the underground was mired in self-serious posturing. Into this scene stepped Hüsker Dü, a Minneapolis trio who would change everything.
Zen Arcade is the band’s second album, and it’s a sprawling double LP that crams 28 songs into 79 minutes. It’s an ambitious work that covers a lot of ground, both musically and lyrically. The songs range from short and punchy to long and meandering, from personal and introspective to political and angry. And while the album is firmly rooted in the punk tradition, it also incorporates elements of folk, country, and even jazz.
Despite its length and breadth, Zen Arcade remains a cohesive work thanks to Bob Mould’s songwriting. Mould is a master of hooks, and even the album’s longer tracks are filled with catchy melodies and sing-along choruses. He’s also a gifted lyricist, and his words paint a picture of a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world. The album is semi-autobiographical, based on Mould’s own experiences growing up in a small town in Minnesota. But it’s also universal in its themes of alienation, angst, and hope.
Zen Arcade was a critical and commercial success, and it remains one of the most influential albums in punk history. It’s a timeless work that still sounds fresh and relevant today.
19. Bad Brains – Bad Brains (1982)
Bad Brains is the self-titled debut album by American hardcore punk band Bad Brains, released in 1982. It was one of the first hardcore punk albums to fuse heavy metal with punk rock, and is considered a major innovator in the genre. The album was recorded in 1981 and produced by Ric Ocasek of The Cars.
The band members were influenced by music from an early age, with guitarist H.R. starting out as a disco artist before moving on to Rastafarianism and then punk rock. The rest of the band followed suit, and they soon became known for their high-energy live shows which often ended in violence.
20. The Replacements – Let It Be (1984)
The Replacements’ 1984 album Let It Be is often cited as one of the most influential records of its era. The album’s raw, unpolished sound and emotionally charged lyrics struck a chord with many listeners, helping to launch the band to cult status. Let It Be has been cited as an influence by many subsequent artists, including Nirvana, Green Day, and the Foo Fighters.
Critics have praised Let It Be for its DIY aesthetic and for its ability to capture the feeling of frustration and angst that many young people were experiencing at the time. The album has been ranked highly on several “best of” lists, including Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. In 2012, Pitchfork named it the 13th greatest album of the 1980s. Let It Be is considered one of the defining albums of the Replacements’ career.
21. R.E.M. – Murmur (1983)
R.E.M.’s debut album, Murmur, was released in 1983 to critical acclaim. The album’s lead single, “Radio Free Europe,” was a Top 40 hit in the United States and helped to launch the band’s career. Murmur was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest albums of all time, and it is considered to be one of the most influential records of the 1980s.
The album’s sound was unlike anything that had been heard before; it was atmospheric and ethereal, with jangly guitars and Michael Stipe’s cryptic lyrics. R.E.M.’s unique sound would go on to influence a generation of alternative rock bands. Murmur is an essential album for any fan of rock music.
22. The Smiths – The Smiths (1984)
The Smiths’ self-titled debut album was released in early 1984 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time. The album features classic tracks such as “Hand in Glove”, “This Charming Man”, and “How Soon Is Now?”. The album’s simple yet effective production, coupled with Morrissey’s poetic lyrics and Marr’s jangly guitar work, made for a truly unique listening experience that still holds up today.
The album was not an immediate commercial success, but it slowly gained popularity thanks to heavy radio play of singles like “This Charming Man” and college station airplay. The album eventually peaked at number two on the UK charts and has been certified platinum by the BPI. In the years since its release, The Smiths has been widely acclaimed by critics and is considered to be one of the most influential albums of all time.
23. Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)
Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation is often hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time. Released in 1988, the double album cemented the band’s place as one of the most important alt-rock groups of their generation. Featuring a mix of abrasive noise rock and more melodic pop songs, Daydream Nation showcased Sonic Youth’s ability to seamlessly blend genres. The album’s standout tracks “Teen Age Riot” and “Silver Rocket” remain some of the band’s most beloved songs.
In addition to its critical acclaim, Daydream Nation was also a commercial success, reaching number 27 on the Billboard 200album chart. It has since been reissued several times and was added to the National Recording Registry in 2005. Sonic Youth’s Daydream Nation is a true masterpiece of alternative rock. If you haven’t heard it, you owe it to yourself to give it a listen.
24. Pixies – Doolittle (1989)
Doolittle is the second studio album by American alternative rock band Pixies, released on April 17, 1989 by 4AD. The album’s unusual pop sensibility and lyrical subject matter, featuring references to surrealism, Biblical violence, incest and mutilation, proved influential on subsequent generations of alternative rock musicians. Doolittle was the first Pixies release in the United States and includes their breakthrough single “Here Comes Your Man”.
The album was recorded over a three-month period from December 1988 to February 1989 at Boston’s Fort Apache Studios following an exhausting international tour in support of the band’s debut album Surfer Rosa (1988). Pixies engineer Steve Albini declined to work on Doolittle due to his discomfort with the band’s major-label status, so the album was instead produced by Gil Norton. Albini would later state that he regretted not working on Doolittle as it became one of his favorite Pixies albums.
Doolittle was a commercial success, reaching number eight on the UK Albums Chart and number 40 on the US Billboard 200. Five singles were released from the album: “Monkey Gone to Heaven”, “Here Comes Your Man”, “Wave of Mutilation”, “Debaser” and “Gouge Away”. All proved to be moderate hits on alternative rock radio, with “Monkey Gone to Heaven” becoming the band’s only top 40 hit in the UK. Doolittle received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest albums of the 1980s. In 2003, the album was ranked number 212 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
25. Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
Nirvana’s Nevermind was one of the most important and influential albums of the early ’90s. It brought alternative rock into the mainstream, and its success helped pave the way for a whole new generation of bands. The album was recorded in 1991 at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California. Producer Butch Vig helped the band create a raw, aggressive sound that was perfect for their songs.
Nevermind features Nirvana’s biggest hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The song became an anthem for disaffected youth all over the world, and its video was in heavy rotation on MTV. Other highlights include “Come As You Are,” “Lithium,” and “In Bloom.” Nevermind is an essential album for any fan of rock music.
