52nd Street (Billy Joel)

52nd Street
Billy Joel (1978)

Top Tracks: “Big Shot”, Zanzibar”, “Rosalinda’s Eyes”

This was still at a point where I was getting a lot of my musical exposure through my parents, and 52nd Street was an album that was on in my house a lot in 1978 and 1979. I probably got a big interest in songwriting based on this album’s influence, and I performed “Honesty” at my first guitar recital in December 1980. Note: the most popular track on this album, “My Life”, is probably my least favorite (May 2020).

Boys in the Trees (Carly Simon)

Boys in the Trees
Carly Simon (1978)

Top Tracks: “You Belong to Me”, “Boys in the Trees”, “Haunting”

This was a mom album… as in, my mom played it often, usually on weekends cranked up on the big stereo while working on her tan in a chaise lounge in the backyard and drinking a beer. I’ve always respected Carly Simon as a writer and a singer, and this smooth late ‘70s sound was definitely a big part of my formative years (May 2020).

The Cars (The Cars)

The Cars
The Cars (1978)

Top Tracks: “Good Times Roll”, “Just What I Needed”, “Bye Bye Love”

It could be the best debut album of all time. Nearly every song is incredibly strong; there’s not an ounce of filler. The Cars weren’t the first new wave or power pop band by a long shot; they just did both better than just about anyone else ever had, or will. It’s funny; for a band that people associated so much with synthesizers, they sure had a ton of incredibly great guitar lines thanks to the brilliance of Elliot Easton. (May 2020).