Iako je suštinski predstavljao vid reakcije na popularnu muziku, novi talas sabrao je elemente čitavog niza raznorodnih žanrova – od rokenrola, preko regea, sve do diska i fanka. Već od početka, novotalasni bendovi posmatrani su kao življi, više umjetnički u odnosu na pank-rok.
“Mislim da je suština novog talasa bila u tome što se odjednom pojavilo mnogo novih bendova, mnogo novih ljudi koji ranije nijesu bili u muzici”, tim je riječima gitarista sastava Blondie Kris Stajn svojevremeno objasnio kako je nastao sam pravac.
Onlajn magazin “Ultimate Classic Rock” ovih je dana napravio listu od 40 najboljih albuma iz epohe novog talasa. Prvo mjesto pripalo je sastavu Talking Heads i njihovom četvrtom izdanju “Remain in Light”, drugi je bio debitantski album Pretendersa, a treći Blondie – “Parallel Lines”.
U nastavku slijedi lista 40 najboljih albuma novog talasa.
1. Talking Heads – “Remain in Light” (1980)
2. Pretenders – “Pretenders” (1979)
3. Blondie – “Parallel Lines” (1978)
4. Duran Duran – “Rio” (1982)
5. The Cars – “The Cars” (1978)
6. The Police – “Zenyatta Mondatta” (1980)
7. The Human League – “Dare” (1981)
8. Elvis Costello – “This Year’s Model” (1978)
9. Elvis Costello – “My Aim Is True” (1977)
10. The B-52’s – “The B-52’s” (1979)
11. The Police – “Synchronicity” (1983)
12. Talking Heads – “Fear of Music” (1979)
13. Devo – “Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo” (1978)
14. Go-Go’s – “Beauty and the Beat” (1981)
15. New Order – “Power, Corruption and Lies” (1983)
16. Talking Heads – “More Songs About Buildings and Food” (1978)
17. Tears for Fears – “Songs From the Big Chair” (1985)
18. The Jam – “All Mod Cons” (1978)
19. XTC – “Drums and Wires” (1979)
20. Joe Jackson – “Look Sharp!” (1979)
21. Roxy Music – “Avalon” (1982)
22. Oingo Boingo – “Dead Man’s Party” (1985)
23. ABC – “The Lexicon of Love” (1982)
24. David Bowie – “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)” (1980)
25. Devo – “Freedom of Choice” (1980)
26. Depeche Mode – “Speak and Spell” (1981)
27. Eurythmic – “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” (1983)
28. Squeeze – “East Side Story” (1981)
29. Television – “Marquee Moon” (1977)
30. The Fixx – “Reach the Beach” (1983)
31. Tears for Fears – “The Hurting” (1983)
32. Depeche Mode – “Music for the Masses” (1987)
33. Duran Duran – “Duran Duran” (1981)
34. Echo and the Bunnymen – “Ocean Rain” (1984)
35. OMD – “Architecture and Morality” (1981)
36. Elvis Costello and the Attractions – “Imperial Bedroom” (1982)
37. INXS – “Listen Like Thieves” (1985)
38. Culture Club – “Colour by Numbers” (1983)
39. Nick Lowe – “Jesus of Cool” (1978)
40. Wham – “Make it Big” (1984)
