Jim's Gems 1976: The 10 best albums marking their 50th anniversary

Cork music aficionado Jim Comet includes Bowie, Tom Waits and an Irish duo among his selections for an eclectic year for the music world 

Jim put David Bowie, Station To Station and Tom Waits, Small Change in the top two slots on his list 10 best albums from 1976

Great art is often influenced by social conditions and how society reacts to those conditions. This would go a long way to explaining how the 1976 musical landscape often sounded grim and jaded, emulating a world that seemed to have lost its its soul. Awful situations in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Argentina hogged the international headlines. In Ireland, the Troubles continued to rage, and Uachtarán na hÉireann resigned after being publicly insulted by a minister for justice.

Thankfully, the year also gave us an eclectic mix of fine albums – here’s my pick of the best of them. we had music and here’s the best 10.