Critics Roundup 1977

Dave Edmunds, Get It (Swansong)

Certainly, the ultimate party album of '77 and maybe any other year. Remember, rock used to be fun. Edmund's association with Nick Lowe ended his earlier painstaking production procedures and their co-written songs sounded as instantly classic as the covers. Graham Parker, Elvis Costello and Ian Dury albums, Nick Lowe the year's backroom boy?

The Radiators From Space, TV Tube Heart, (CBS/Midnite)

Some cavilled at Roger Armstrong's spaced-out production but the intent was to show the Radiators as punk-melodists supreme. Another rearranged version of 'Television Screen', track 1, side 1, showed the scope of the band's talent on an album that compensated for all the year's buffetings. England didn't cheer though. Perhaps that's why they put on London accents.

David Bowie, Heroes, (RCA)

With Townshend confused, Lennon retired, Dylan caught up in divorce hassles and the Stones hobbled by Keith Richard's Canadian bust, Bowie was the only old wave superstar not to tread water - instead withHeroes and also its companion album Low pointing possible new paths for '78. And finally all the masks came down in his new mechanical world.

The Clash are one of the few bands since the redoubtable M.C.S. who've succeeded in allying seriousness, and concern, to a savage, hard rock sensibility without one in any way detracting from the other. 'White Riot', I'm So Bored With The U.S.A., 'Career Opportunities' and a stunning 'Police And Thieves' - need I say more? Except that if you did miss it, make it your numero uno New Year's resolution to rectify the situation - now!