GlamRock.com's top 10 glam albums Pt1
Magnificent, magic, meaningless or misunderstood… when it comes down to it, you can’t ignore glam rock. But you often do, don’t you?
Well, allow us and our mates at GlamRock.com to help. If you’re ready to grasp the vibe that it was more than just makeup and glitter (and FYI that all came about as a result of bands wanting to outdo each other on Top of the Pops, just for a laugh), you’re ready to check out our primer of the ten best albums of the era.
The panel at GlamRock.com chose their top ten based on commercial success, artistic impact and, of course, personal preference.
Check out the album cover gallery – and add your own thoughts using the form at the bottom. It only takes a second to add first name, second name and email address.
10: Level Headed – Sweet (1978)
Level Headed yielded the huge hit Love Is Like Oxygen which was both a departure from their traditional songwriting approach and a struggle to complete. Brian Connolly only sang on the verses of and Andy Scott sang the choruses. Shortly after the release of the album, Connolly left and the band toured as a three-piece before disbanding in 1979. That was the end of one of the pioneers of glam rock. Their music has influenced many bands during and after their time. Nikki Sixx, Motley Crue's bass player, cites them as one of his greatest influences.
9: Give Us A Wink – Sweet (1976)
Give Us a Wink was the first Sweet album to be fully written and fully produced by the band themselves, after parting ways with songwriters Chinn & Chapman. Two singles, The Lies In Your Eyes and Action, were released from this album. Though The Lies In Your Eyes didn't chart well in the UK, it was very popular in other parts of Europe as well as Australia. Action became a top 20 hit in the US.
8: The Runaways (1976)
Self-titled debut album from the first all-girl glam rock band. Cherry Bomb was the hit single that catapulted them from obscurity to international fame. In the true spirit of glam, the video was highly provocative for its time - and the kids flocked like crazy. Musicianship is not what you'd call virtuoso standard but what these girls lacked in technical ability, they more than made up in coolness. You Drive Me Wild and Is It Day Or Night? are must-listen tracks. The Runaways inspired the all-female band movement which included glam with Vixen but also the pop mainstream with the Bangles.
7. Van Halen (1978)
Recorded in 1977 but released in February of 1978, Van Halen is considered to be one of the most famous and successful debut albums by a glam rock/metal band in history. From a technical perspective, Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo, Eruption, was hugely influential on many guitarists. Along with 1984, it gives Van Halen two original (not greatest-hits) albums with Diamond status in sales. That feat has been achieved by only four other rock bands: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Def Leppard.
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