What's your favourite "early" album?
I think mine probably has to be ESS. It was the first original album I ever listened to (my Dad lent it to me ^^) and I was hooked the moment I heard the first bars of In Quintessence! Plus Is That Love, Vanity Fair, Mumbo Jumbo . . . so many incredible tracks.
(Plus it has the added bonus of sporting 14 tracks in oppose to the usual 12!)
I really like all the early albums and I know East Side Story was probably the most critically acclaimed of the era but I think I have to go for "Argy Bargy", all things considered.
To me, the album sums up the excitement and optimism of the band, with innovative songwriting, breathtaking guitar solos and let's face it - a cool, front cover
Re: 1979-1982
Yeah, I know ESS was the most critically acclaimed album . . . but I still think that it was for a reason!
I love your reasons for choosing Argy though - you're dead right. Plus it holds Vicky Verky which - for obvious reasons! - is one of my all-time favourites . . . and not just because I was 14 when I first heard it!
Re: 1979-1982
I'd have to go for Cool for Cats. All that naughtiness and youthful exuberance. It's the album of a young band finally let loose doing what they love.
But I like the East Side Story cover best (probably of all the albums). It was the only picture I had of Glenn for ages, and sometimes he still looks just the same!