Suicide: Alan Vega/Martin Rev

The Ric Ocasek-produced second album from Suicide is less confrontational and more contemporary than the duo's terrifying debut. Vega's rockabilly snarl and Rev's burbling electronics remain, but Ocasek's involvement purges a pop sensibility only hinted at on Suicide. Hell, some of the tracks are downright pretty ("Shadazz," "Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne"). Perhaps it's not as renegade as Suicide, but it's an arguably better, more realized work, and just as essential. [Confusingly released in 1980 as Alan Vega/Martin Rev: Suicide, Mute reissued Suicide's second album as The Second Album in 2000. The reissue adds the "Dream Baby Dream" single, as well as a second disc of Vega and Rev's first rehearsal tapes.]