Dec. 30, 1977 review: Best albums of 1977
It isn’t often that we got a pivotal year in music, but this was one of them. Things would never be the same after 1977. Dec. 30, 1977 Year’s Best Records – Rock In rock, this was the year that the rules changed and the music became dangerous again. After seasons of increasing refinement and smug commercialism, the tide shifted. In came the New Wave. Commercially, the punk-rockers have made little impact. But artistically, they’ve left their ripple. No longer do would-be superstars have to imitate Elton John, practice for 15 years or adopt a disco beat. Rock has returned to its foundations and rediscovered its essence – excitement. As the old favorites grow tired, the new ones will be building on the groundwork laid this year. The last 12 months have been a period of transition. On the surface, this has been the year of Rod Stewart (when he shows up), Andy Gibb, Rita Coolidge, the Eagles, Steve Miller, the Commodores and Natalie Cole. But whi