The ranking of the 25 best indie rock debut albums of the 70s, according to Radio

The 70s were not only one of the most fertile and important decades in the history of rock. They were also the period in which the indie galaxy began to have a decisive impact on the record market, through a continuous evolution of genres and styles. Radio X magazine has tried to draw up a ranking of what it considers the 25 best indie-rock debut albums of the decade. “From the first stirrings of the punk era to the flowering of new wave and electronica, the 70s were the decade that kicked off the first indie wave as we know it today, with seminal albums from the Clash, Sex Pistols and Jam, to the now iconic works of Joy Division, Public Image Ltd and many more.
But what exactly is meant by “indie”? Officially, according to Radio The “indie” spirit, however, had already taken hold during the punk years, despite the two most representative bands of the movement, Sex Pistols and Clash, having signed contracts with major record companies. For this reason – underlines the magazine – in compiling a list of the best indie debut albums of the 70s, it is possible to adopt a rather broad definition: from punk rock pioneers such as Patti Smith and Ramones to singer-songwriters with strong personalities such as Elvis Costello and Ian Dury, passing through British groups such as Stranglers, Jam and Damned, up to the post-punk experiments of Magazine, Public Image Ltd and Joy Division.

Here, then, is the ranking of the best indie rock debut albums of the 70s, according to Radio

1. Patti Smith – “Horses” (1975)
2. Ramones – “Ramones” (1976)
3. The Modern Lovers – “The Modern Lovers” (1976)
4. Blondie – “Blondie” (1976)
5. Television – “Marquee Moon” (1977)
6. The Damned – “Damned Damned Damned” (1977)
7. The Clash – “The Clash” (1977)
8. The Stranglers – “Rattus Norvegicus” (1977)
9. The Jam – “In The City” (1977)
10. Elvis Costello – “My Aim Is True” (1977)
11. Talking Heads – “Talking Heads: 77” (1977)
12. Ian Dury – “New Boots And Panties!!” (1977)
13. Sex Pistols – “Never Mind The Bollocks” (1977)
14. Wire – “Pink Flag” (1977)
15. The Cars – “The Cars” (1978)
16. Magazine – “Real Life” (1978)
17. Devo – “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!” (1978)
18. Siouxsie & The Banshees – “The Scream” (1978)
19. Public Image Ltd – “First Issue” (1978)
20. Stiff Little Fingers – “Inflammable Material” (1979)
21. The Cure – “Three Imaginary Boys” (1979)
22. Joy Division – “Unknown Pleasures” (1979)
23. The B-52's – “The B-52's” (1979)
24. The Slits – “Cut” (1979)
25. Gang Of Four – “Entertainment!” (1979)