The Best UK Punk Albums Of All Time

The U.K. punk scene can be summed up by a few things. First it was highly political with many of the bands attacking the bloated idea of the Royal Family as well as figures like Margaret Thatcher. There were major garbage strikes and there were fights involving better wages and workers protection rights. There country was definitely going through some awful shit. Also, the country was dealing with major issues of racism and the Punk scene really did try their best to dismantle that system in it's own way, with a powerful voice and loud as shit political songs. Alongside the political aspect you have to focus on the diversity of musical sounds being absorbed by the Punks at the time. Many punks started devouring Reggae, Rocksteady, Ska and Dub throughout the 70s and 80s and this seeped into quite a few bands at the time(see The Clash, The Specials, Slits, Madness, Etc...). This was important to the openness to other races and cultures and showed the outside world that people can try and get along and share ideas and brand new amazing ideas could come out of that meshing of ideas. It was definitely not cultural appropriation, it was a sharing of ideas where many bands had multi-race lineups. One of the premier Punk producers was Dennis Bovell, a D.J. turned producer that helped introduce the music of Jamaica to the U.K. So many of these projects and bands came with his stamp of approval. On the other side of the coin you did have some questionable bands within the OI scene. This was a scene that incorporated many elements of skinhead culture. Most of these bands were actually anti-racism and used the imagery of racists to subvert and dilute those racists messages. By looking like them but pumping out anti-racist rhetoric in their music they felt they were doing their part to also dismantle racist ideas.

There was also a lot of comedy within U.K. punk and a lot of these bands played around a lot with regional dialect in their music. They loved to make fun of their country while at the same time embracing their national identity. In a lot of instances they really poked fun of themselves. A lot of genres were created during this time including OI, Mod, a fusion of dub and reggae into punk, dance punk, glam punk, Celtic punk....honestly the list can go on and on and happened because of that aforementioned tendency to embrace other cultures.

Once again this list had some help from contributor David Vannatta.

So take a look or a deep dive into the fascinating and crazy world of U.K. Punk!













The Adicts-Songs Of Praise(Dwed Wecords)(1981)

Punk Style: Pop Punk.



The Adicts-Sound Of Music(Razor)(1982)

Punk Style: Pop Punk.



The Adverts-Crossing The Red Sea With The Adverts(Bright)(1978)

Punk Style: Good Ol Punk Rock.



Amebix-Arise!(Alternative Tentacles)(1985)

Punk Style: Crust Punk, Post Hardcore.



Alternative TV-The Image Has Cracked(Deptford Fun City)(1978)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Experimental.



Alternative TV-Vibing Up The Senile Man Part One(Deptford Fun City)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Experimental, Industrial.



Angelic Upstarts-Teenage Warning(Warner Bros.)(1979)

Punk Style: Oi.




Angelic Upstarts-We Gotta Get Out Of This Place(Warner Bros.)(1980)

Punk Style: Oi.



Angelic Upstarts-2,000,000 Voices(Self Released)(1981)

Punk Style: Oi, Reggae.



Anti Nowhere League-We Are...The League(WXYZ)(1982)

Punk Style: UK82, Oi.



The Boys-Self Titled(NEMS)(1977)

Punk Style: Power Pop.



The Business-Suburban Rebels(Secret)(1983)

Punk Style: Oi, Pub Rock.



The Business-Saturdays Heroes(Harry May)(1985)

Punk Style: Oi.



The Business-Welcome To The Real World(Link)(1988)

Punk Style: Oi.



Buzzcocks-Love Bites(United Artists)(1978)

Punk Style: Pop Punk, Power Pop.



Buzzcocks-Another Music In A Different Kitchen(United Artists)(1978)

Punk Style: Pop Punk, Power Pop.



Buzzcocks-A Different Kind Of Tension(United Artists)(1979)

Punk Style: Pop Punk, Power Pop, Post Punk.



Buzzcocks-Singles Going Steady Comp(I.R.S.)(1979)

Punk Style: Pop Punk, Power Pop.



Carcass-Reek Of Putrifaction(Earache)(1988)

Punk Style: Goregrind.



Carcass-Symphonies Of Sickness(Earache)(1989)

Punk Style: Goregrind, Grindcore.



Cardiacs-The Seaside(Alphabet)(1984)

Punk Style: Art Punk, Zolo, Post Punk.



Cardiacs-A Little Man And A House And The Whole World Window(The Alphabet Business Concern)(1988)

Punk Style: Art Punk, Zolo, Post Punk.



Cardiacs-On Land And In The Sea(The Alphabet Business Concern)(1989)

Punk Style: Art Punk, Zolo.



Cardiacs-Sing To God(The Alphabet Business Concern)(1996)

Punk Style: Art Punk, Zolo.



Chumbawamba-Pictures Of Starving Children Sell Records(Agit Prop)(1986)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Art Punk, Satire, New Wave, Post Punk.



Chumbawamba-Never Mind The Ballots(Agit Prop)(1986)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Art Punk, Post Punk, Satire, Folk Punk.



Chumbawamba-Anarchy(One Little Indian)(1994)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Satire.



Citizen Fish-Free Souls In A Trapped Environment(Bluurg)(1990)

Punk Style: Ska, Anarcho Punk, Hardcore.



The Clash-Self Titled(CBS)(1977)

Punk Style: Good Ol Punk Rock.



The Clash-London Calling(CBS)(1979)

Punk Style: New Wave, Ska, Reggae, Rockabilly.



The Clash-Sandinista(CBS)(1980)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk, Dub, Reggae, Funk, Rockabilly, Experimental.



The Clash-Combat Rock(CBS)(1982)

Punk Style: New Wave, Dub, Reggae, Funk, Post Punk.



Cockney Rejects-Greatest Hits Vol.1(EMI)(1980)

Punk Style: Oi.



Cockney Rejects-Greatest Hits Vol.2(EMI)(1980)

Punk Style: Oi.



Cock Sparrer-Shock Troops(Razor)(1983)

Punk Style: Oi.



Cock Sparrer-Running Riot In '84(Syndicate)(1984)

Punk Style: Oi, New Wave.



Conflict-It's Time To See Who's Who(Corpus Christi)(1983)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Hardcore.



Conflict-Increase The Pressure(Mortarhate)(1984)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Hardcore.



Conflict-The Ungovernable Force(Mortarhate)(1986)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Hardcore.



Elvis Costello-My Aim Is Ttue(Stiff)(1977)

Punk Style: New Wave, Pub Rock, Power Pop, Rockabilly.



Elvis Costello-This Year's Model(Radar)(1978)

Punk Style: New Wave, Power Pop.



Crass-The Feeding Of The Five Thousand(Small Wonder)(1979)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk.



Crass-Stations Of The Crass(Crass)(1979)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Post Hardcore, Noise, Art Punk.



Crass-Penis Envy(Crass)(1981)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Art Punk, Post Punk, Noise.



Crass-Christ The Album(Crass)(1982)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Sound Collage, Art Punk, Experimental, Noise, Post Punk.



Crass-Yes Sir, I Will.(Crass)(1983)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Noise, Experimental, Art Punk.



The Damned-Damned Damned Damned(Stiff)(1977)

Punk Style: Garage Punk.



The Damned-Machine Gun Etiquette(Chiswick)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk.



Discharge-Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing(Clay)(1982)

Punk Style: D Beat, Anarcho Punk.



Dolly Mixture-Everything And More Comp(Self Released)(2010)

Punk Style: Post Punk.



Ian Dury-New Boots And Panties!!(Stiff)(1977)

Punk Style: Pub Rock, New Wave, Funk.



Eater-The Album(The Label)(1977)

Punk Style: Hardcore.



Eddie And The Hot Rods-Teenage Depression(Island)(1976)

Punk Style: Pub Rock, Proto Punk, Power Pop.



The Exploited-Troops Of Tomorrow(Secret)(1982)

Punk Style: UK82.



The Exploited-Let's Start A War...Said Maggie One Day(Pax)(1983)

Punk Style: Hardcore, UK82.



The Fall-Live At The Witch Trials(Step-Forward)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk.



The Fall-Grotesque(Rough Trade)(1980)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk.



The Fall-Hex Enduction Hour(Kamera)(1982)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Noise.



The Fall-Perverted By Language(Rough Trade)(1983)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Experimental, Art Punk.



The Fall-The Wonderful And Frightening World Of...(Beggars Banquet)(1984)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Garage Punk.



The Fall-This Nation's Saving Grace(Beggars Banquet)(1985)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk.



Flux Of Pink Indians-Strive To Survive Causing Least Suffering Possible(Spiderlag)(1982)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Noise.



Flux Of Pink Indians-The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks(Spiderleg)(1984)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Noise, Experimental, Industrial, Sound Collage.



Future Of The Left-Curses(Too Pure)(2007)

Punk Style: Post Hardcore, Noise.



Future Of The Left-Travels With Myself And Another(4AD)(2009)

Punk Style: Post Hardcore, Noise, Garage Punk.



Gallows-Grey Britain(Black Envelope/Warner Bros.)(2009)

Punk Style: Hardcore, Metalcore.



Gang Of Four-Entertainment!(EMI)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Dance Punk, Art Punk.



GBH-City Baby Attacked By Rats(Clay)(1982)

Punk Style: UK82, Hardcore.



GBH-City Baby's Revenge(Clay)(1983)

Punk Style: UK82, Hardcore.



Generation X-Self Titled(Chrysalis)(1978)

Punk Style: Power Pop.



Thee Headcoats-Headcoats Down!(Crypt)(1989)

Punk Style: Garage Punk.



Thee Headcoats-The Earls Of Suavedom(Crypt)(1989)

Punk Style: Garage Punk.



Thee Headcoats-Beach Bums Must Die(Crypt)(1990)

Punk Style: Garage Punk, Surf.



Thee Headcoats-Heavens To Murgatroyd, Even! It's Thee Headcoats!(Sub Pop)(1990)

Punk Style: Garage Punk.



Huggy Bear-Taking The Rough With The Smooch Comp(Time Bomb)(1993)

Punk Style: Riot Grrl, Noise, Queercore, Anarcho Punk.



Idles-Brutalism(Balley)(2017)

Punk Style: Post Hardcore, Post Punk, Noise.



Idles-Joy As An Act Of Resistance(Partisan)(2018)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Post Hardcore, Art Punk, Noise.



The Jam-This Is The Modern World(Polydor)(1977)

Punk Style: Mod, Power Pop.



The Jam-All Mod Cons(Polydor)(1978)

Punk Style: Mod, New Wave, Power Pop.



The Jam-Setting Sons(Polydor)(1979)

Punk Style: New Wave, Power Pop, Mod.



The Jam-Sound Affects(Polydor)(1980)

Punk Style: Mod, New Wave, Power Pop.



Joy Division-Unknown Pleasures(Factory)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Goth.



Joy Division-Closer(Factory)(1980)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Goth, Coldwave.



Leatherface-Mush(Roughneck)(1991)

Punk Style: Melodic Hardcore.



Leatherface-Minx(Roughneck)(1993)

Punk Style: Melodic Hardcore, Alternative Punk.



Madness-One Step Beyond...(Stiff)(1979)

Punk Style: 2 Tone, Rocksteady.



Madness-Absolutely(Stiff)(1980)

Punk Style: 2 Tone, New Wave, Mod.



Magazine-Real Life(Virgin)(1978)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, New Wave, Synth Punk.



Magazine-Secondhand Daylight(Virgin)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, New Wave.



Malcolm Mclaren-Duck Rock(Charisma)(1983)

Punk Style: New Wave, Hip Hop, Novelty, Plunderphonics.



Mclusky-Do Dallas(Too Pure)(2002)

Punk Style: Noise, Post Hardcore.



Mcluksy-The Difference Between You And Me Is That I'm Not On Fire(Too Pure)(2004)

Punk Style: Noise, Post Hardcore.



The Mekons-Fear And Whiskey(Sin)(1985)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Cowpunk.



The Mekons-Rock 'N' Roll(A&M/Twin Tone)(1989)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Cowpunk.



Membranes-Songs Of Love And Fury(In Tape)(1986)

Punk Style: Post Punk.



Membranes-To Slay The Rock Pig(Vinyl Drip International)(1989)

Punk Style: Noise, Post Punk.



Napalm Death-Scum(Earache)(1987)

Punk Style: Grindcore, Crust Punk.



Napalm Death-From Enslavement To Oblivian(Earache)(1988)

Punk Style: Grindcore, Crust Punk.



New Model Army-Vengeance(Abstract)(1984)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Goth.



New Model Army-Thunder And Consolation(EMI)(1989)

Punk Style: Post Punk.



Nipple Erectors-Bops, Babes, Booze & Bovver Comp(Big Beat/Soho)(1987)

Punk Style: Rockabilly.



The Only Ones-Self Titled(CBS)(1978)

Punk Style: New Wave, Power Pop.



The Only Ones-Even Serpents Shine(CBS)(1979)

Punk Style: New Wave, Power Pop.



Peter And The Test Tube Babies-The Mating Sounds Of South American Frogs(Trapper)(1983)

Punk Style: Oi, Post Punk.



Peter And The Test Tube Babies-The Loud Blaring Punk Rock Album(Hairy Pie)(1985)

Punk Style: Oi, Hardcore, UK82.



The Pogues-Red Roses For Me(Stiff)(1984)

Punk Style: Celtic Punk.



The Pogues-Rum Sodomy & The Lash(Stiff)(1985)

Punk Style: Celtic Punk.



The Pogues-If I Should Fall From Grace With God(Pogue Mahone)(1988)

Punk Style: Celtic Punk.



Public Image Ltd.-Public Image(Virgin)(1978)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Experimental, Noise.



Public Image Ltd.-Metal Box(Virgin)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Experimental, Dub, Art Punk.



Public Image Ltd.-The Flowers Of Romance(Virgin)(1981)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Experimental, Industrial.



The Raincoats-Self Titled(Rough Trade)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk.



The Raincoats-Odyshape(Rough Trade)(1981)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Experimental, Dub.



The Rezillos-Can't Stand The Rezillos(Sire)(1978)

Punk Style: Pop Punk.



Rudimentary Peni-Death Church(Corpus Christi)(1983)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Hardcore.



Rudimentary Peni-Cacophony(Outer Himalayan)(1988)

Punk Style: Art Punk, Anarcho Punk, Hardcore, Experimental, Noise, Horror Punk.



The Ruts-The Crack(Virgin)(1979)

Punk Style: Reggae.



Sacrilege-Behind The Realms Of Madness(Children Of The Revolution)(1985)

Punk Style: Crust Punk, Crossover Thrash.



Sex Pistols-Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols(Virgin)(1977)

Punk Style: Good Ol Punk Rock.



Sham 69-Tell Us The Truth(Polydor)(1978)

Punk Style: Oi.



Sham 69-That's Life(Polydor)(1978)

Punk Style: Oi.



Siouxsie And The Banshees-The Scream(Polydor)(1978)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Goth.



Siouxsie And The Banshees-Kaleidoscope(Polydor)(1980)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Goth, New Wave.



Siouxsie And The Banshees-Juju(Polydor)(1981)

Punk Style: Goth, Post Punk.



The Skids-Scared To Dance(Virgin)(1979)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk.



The Skids-Days In Europa(Virgin)(1979)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk.



Slaughter And The Dogs-Do It Dog Style(Decca)(1978)

Punk Style: Glam Punk, Oi.



The Slits-Cut(Island)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Reggae, Dub.



The Slits-Return Of The Giant Slits(CBS)(1981)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Dub, Experimental.



Snuff-Snuff Said(Workers Playtime)(1989)

Punk Style: Melodic Hardcore.



The Specials-Self Titled(Two-Tone)(1979)

Punk Style: 2 Tone, Rocksteady.



The Specials-More Specials(Two-Tone)(1980)

Punk Style: 2 Tone, Ska.



Stiff Little Fingers-Inflammable Material(Rough Trade)(1979)

Punk Style: Good Ol Punk.



Stiff Little Fingers-Nobody's Heroes(Chrysalis)(1980)

Punk Style: Reggae.



The Stranglers-Stranglers IV Rattus Norvegicus(United Artists)(1977)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk, Art Punk.



The Stranglers-No More Heroes(United Artists)(1977)

Punk Style: Post Punk, New Wave.



Subhumans-The Day The Country Died(Spiderleg)(1982)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Hardcore.



Subhumans-From The Cradle To The Grave(Bluurg)(1983)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Hardcore, Art Punk, Post Punk.

Subhumans-EP-LP Comp(Bluurg)(1985)



Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Hardcore.



Subway Sect-What's The Matter Boy(MCA/Oddball Productions)(1980)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk.



Swell Maps-A Trip To Marineville(Rather/Rough Trade)(1979)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Noise.



Swell Maps-...In "Jane From Occupied Europe"(Rather/Rough Trade)(1980)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk, Experimental, Noise.



Television Personalities-...And Don't The Kids Just Love It(Rough Trade)(1981)

Punk Style: Post Punk, LO-FI, Mod.



Television Personalities-Mummy You're Not Watching Me(Whaam!)(1982)

Punk Style: Post Punk.



This Heat-Self Titled(Piano)(1979)

Punk Style: Experimental.



This Heat-Deceit(Rough Trade)(1981)

Punk Style: Experimental, Post Punk, Industrial.



Toy Dolls-Dig That Groove Baby(Volume)(1983)

Punk Style: Pop Punk, Oi.



Toy Dolls-A Far Out Disc(Volume)(1985)

Punk Style: Comedy.



Toy Dolls-Idle Gossip(Volume)(1986)

Punk Style: Good Ol Punk.



Tubeway Army-Self Titled(Beggars Banquet)(1978)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk, Synth Punk.



Tubeway Army-Replicas(Beggars Banquet)(1979)

Punk Style: Synth Punk, New Wave, Post Punk.



UK Subs-Another Kind Of Blues(GEM/RCA)(1979)

Punk Style: Oi.



UK Subs-Brand New Age(GEM/RCA)(1980)

Punk Style: Good Ol Punk.



The Undertones-Self Titled(Sire)(1979)

Punk Style: Pop Punk, Power Pop.



The Undertones-Hypnotized(Sire)(1980)

Punk Style: Pop Punk, Power Pop, New Wave.



The Vapors-New Clear Days(United Artists)(1980)

Punk Style: New Wave, Power Pop, Post Punk.



The Vapors-Magnets(Liberty)(1981)

Punk Style: New Wave, Power Pop, Post Punk.



The Vibrators-Pure Mania(Epic)(1977)

Punk Style: Power Pop.



Warsaw-Self Titled(Polydor)(1994)

Punk Style: Post Punk.



Wire-Pink Flag(Harvest)(1977)

Punk Style: Art Punk, Post Punk.



Wire-Chairs Missing(Harvest)(1978)

Punk Style: Post Punk, Art Punk.



Wreckless Eric-Self Titled(Stiff)(1978)

Punk Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop, New Wave, Post Punk.



Wreckless Eric-The Wonderful World Of Wreckless Eric(Stiff)(1978)

Punk Style: Pub Rock.



Wreckless Eric-Big Smash(Stiff)(1980)

Punk Style: Power Pop, New Wave, Pub Rock.



X Ray Spex-Germfree Adolescents(EMI International)(1978)

Punk Style: New Wave.



XTC-Go 2(Virgin)(1978)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk, Zolo, Synth Punk.



XTC-White Music(Virgin)(1978)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk, Zolo, Power Pop, Art Punk.



XTC-Drums And Wires(Virgin)(1979)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk, Zolo, Art Punk.



XTC-Black Sea(Virgin)(1980)

Punk Style: New Wave, Post Punk.



Zounds-Curse Of The Zounds(Rough Trade)(1981)

Punk Style: Anarcho Punk, Post Punk, Art Punk.



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