1981: The Year Everything Changed

The Jam ring in the new year with a bulletproof classic

You may not realize it, but 2021 is the 40th anniversary of the Year Everything Changed. Well, musically-speaking, I mean.

The true importance of 1981 may not be realized for some time to come, given the intractable and reactionary nature of popular music today. But 1981 was a pivotal year in that many of the important innovations made in Rock music flowered in this brilliant, amazing year. 

For those such as myself who were conditioned to expect non-stop excitement in popular culture, many of the years since have been bitter disappointments. 

My Essential Punk Rock Discography

Even though this is my personal list, every record listed here is invaluable for its historic and artistic significance and are listed in no particular order. Every band here, though all comfortably fitting in the Fast/Loud category, has a strong identity and sound, and no two of these bands are alike, whether in concept, sound or image. 

I consider every band on this list to be trailblazers and pioneers, and all of these records to be essential documents of a time and place. So if you want to know what my personal experience of Punk was like, buy these records, research these bands and ponder what the difference is between them and the modern acts that call themselves Punk Rock.