Best Punk Albums of All Time

I am from London, age 15 in 1977, and the backlash from the media at the time was harsh. Anti-Pistols, anti-punk.

This really is the Bollocks... interesting that the first vinyl pressings had the word blacked out until a court decision decided it was not a swear word. The point being, the Pistols were loved by punks and hated by the mainstream. No other album was so divisive in Britain's history. Don't believe me? Just listen and Google it. It was so ahead of its time, one of the most controversial albums of all time. And yet, it sounds powerful and fresh even today. It remains relevant, reflecting the state of the UK back then and even today.

A brilliant album, a brilliant act that spawned so many other punk bands.

Without the Sex Pistols, there would have been no Clash, no The Damned, UK Subs, Ruts, 999, etc. The MC5, Iggy and The Stooges, New York Dolls, and The Ramones helped spawn the American punk movement, including The Dead Kennedys and the Misfits. But ...more

The sex pistols were legends...

The fact that at the time they were all just doing it for a laugh and doing it for money but what they created was something bigger than themselves.

The first track really let's you know what you are in for. It's the perfect introduction for new sex pistols fans and really energetic.

The second track is an incredibly honest song with a very important message behind it. It's doesn't mess around and should not be underestimated. Definitely one of the strongest tracks on the album.

The third track is very cleverly written and is one big rush of energy it's a joy to listen to

Fourth track labelled liar was the pistols way of saying F you to Malcolm McLaren who robbed the pistols of their money back in the day. It's lyrics are powerful and good as ever.

Fifth track god save the queen is one of the most iconic songs on the track and still stands the test of time. You can really tell the pistols are giving it their all ...more

Revolutionary, completely honest, and blistering. NMTB is everything that is great about punk. Johnny Rotten's contentious/intelligent lyrics and raw vocals made me proud to be different. Made me stop being a sissy wanting to commit suicide and in turn, be a thorn in the side of those that have belittled me. Steve's guitar playing made me play guitar a little differently and I dig his sound.

The Sex Pistols only ever put out this one album, but in doing so they created punk as we know it. You have to think of this album in the same vein as the Beatles debuting on the Ed Sullivan show, or Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar on fire at Monterey Festival. It was that big of a shift in music.

Inventors of punk rock? Come on guys! This is one of the best albums of all time! And London calling by the clash or nevermind the bollocks here's the sex pistols are both not on the list! Are you kidding me? Do you even know punk?

They are the best punk band ever, and this album has his greatest song "Blitzkrieg Bop". They were the band who created punK!

The record that started it all. It was my first true punk studio album... I instantly was a fan and couldn't stop boppin. I love this record!

What can I say? This must be one of the most influential records in the history of music!

They made the best punk album with "The Clash" and the best rock album with "London Calling". Pure Class of '77 punk sound with elements of reggae, 50s rockabilly and ska. A masterpiece. Also, I am biased... This album changed my life.

Far better than 'London Calling' and definitely equal to 'Never mind the bollocks'.

Let's remember what punk rock is. Punk rock is not only bringing rock back to the basics but it's BEING a punk. The main reason I picked this over Never Mind the Bollocks is because of the album cover. It's an imitation of Elvis Presley's album but instead of a happy guy with a guitar it's a punk smashing his guitar. Come on, isn't that punk-ish?

One of the greatest albums of all time. The best punk album by far ever made! And I'm not the only one saying it! Rolling Stone magazine placed it at #7 in it's 500 greatest albums of all time list! I know Rolling Stone is very often wrong but even so this album is pure punk brilliance!

This should be #2. This is a better overall album than everything else, but I agree that Ramones is a better punk album. And how is the green day album that I have just accepted will always be here not even there best album? You people don't even know how to mess up right.

London Calling merges melody and a array of different musical styles into one calssic album. Its cutting edge, and it offended many back in the day. Few punk bands have reached this level of stardum while staying true to their calling.

I'm alright with people calling Dookie pop punk because it was mostly pop punk (with exceptions of Longview, FOD, Sassafras Roots etc) but Insomniac is a full on punk album. Much darker, meaner tone to it, just listen to Geek Stink Breath, Jaded, '86, Armatge Shanks. Also the album never really had any big hits, maybe because it's a punk album and punk rock has always been so underrated. I don't care if this is number 1 or number 17, I just want people to stop calling it a pop album and to stop trashing Green Day for being pop-punk, I call them punk rock/pop punk, or simply alternative because that's a hybrid genre. This album saved punk...this is probably what brought it back to the mainstream, but was completely overshadowed by Dookie.

This album saved punk rock. Unlike Dookie, which was more pop punk, this album has a sound which will not be forgotten. From Stuck with Me, which is the quintessential punk rock song, To Jaded, which has a fast pace and a message about using drugs. Panic Song, which defines the band in the early 1990s, when they used drugs to not have panic attacks during shows and the classic Brain Stew. This album has hit after hit. Buy this album on CD or vinyl. Definitely worth it.

Contains all the classic elements of old school Punk Rock, and even adds a new edge to the genre. The sound is heavy and distorted, the lyrics are slick and well-written, and the bass lines are phenomenal. Truly the greatest punk record of all time!

At first I was like what? Why is insomniac here over Dookie or AI, than I forgot the name of this list. Insomniac was the most punk album GD put out. Just listen to songs like Geek Stink Breath, Jaded, Armatage Shanks and 86. Great punk songs. All made with a few power chords.

How is this not higher? Punk would not exist if it were not for this album. Get the pop-punk fans off here!

What the hell?! Insomniac is number 1 but Dookie is number 5. This is, in my opinion, one of the greatest albums ever made, I could listen to it on repeat all day and still be in awe.

This album literally saved punk rock from grunge. Songs like Longview and Basket case are what defines punk. It is about doing things your own damn way.

This, in my opinion, is the greatest album ever made. Every song on it is no where near bad or repetitive and I can pop this in my CD player any day

Best Green Day album that consists of mostly punk.

One of the most influential punk records of the 80s, if you ask me.

Almost ready, almost there. Almost the best punk album ever.

Should be first. Second sex pistols.

Why is this not higher?

While not as good as their later albums, this album still is one of the most well known and most badass US hardcore albums out there.

Punks, wherever you are - please vote this into the Top 5 where it belongs. "If the kids are united" (sadly, the new kids have no idea what Punk really means)

How the hell is this not on here?

Ewww the cover has the red on it not the black and white. That needs to be changed

One of the best punk albums ever!

This album is like the Beach Boys on steroids! Fast, cool, and 30 mins of pure punk pandemonium. It inspired countless musicians and is considered a must have for punk.

Road To Ruin is my personal favourite, but Rocket To Russia is a close second. Should be in the top 3.

The quintessential hardcore record.

What? Smash was the best selling album ever sold on an independent label. And isn't the whole independent label thing what makes punk what it is,

Awesome Album! The offspring's best album!

This album is dark, aggressive, and raw. Should be top 10 for sure. Who the hell is Green Day? Aren't they the band who do live makeup commercials in stadiums for 100 bucks a ticket...

The original Hardcore album!

This album gets my vote; it's punk at it's ugliest and truest form