Marshall Crenshaw: S/T (1982)

Marshall Crenshaw has been releasing such consistently great music for so many years that it's easy to take him for granted. But his 1982 self-titled debut holds up as one of the unsung classics of the new wave era. Nothing flashy here, just jangly power-pop crossed with classic Buddy Holly-tinged old-school rock & roll, hints of bluegrass-tinged Americana and early Elvis Costello, all relentlessly catchy. 

Three songs alone -- "Someday, Someway," "Cynical Girl," and "Mary Anne" --...