702 U2 - Achtung Baby

701 Slint - Spiderland

700 Sepultura - Arise

699 Saint Etienne - Fox Base Alpha

698 Pearl Jam - Ten

697 A Tribe Called Quest - Low End Theory

696 Public Enemy - Apocalypse 91...The Enemy Strikes Black

695 Mudhoney - Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge

694 Ice-T - O.G. Original Gangster

693 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

692 Jah Wobble - Rising Above Bedlam

691 MC Solar- Qui Seme Le Vent Recolte Le Tempo

689 Julian Cope - Peggy Suicide

690 Gang Starr - Step in the Arena

688 Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill

687 Crowded House-Woodface

686 Nirvana - Nevermind

685 My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

684 Ride - Nowhere

683 Sonic Youth - Goo

682 A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels

681 Sinead O'Connor - I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

680 Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet

679 LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out

678 Jane's Addiction - Ritual De Lo Habitual

677 Ice Cube - Amerikkka's Most Wanted

676 Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Ragged Glory

675 George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

674 Happy Mondays - Pills 'n Thrills and Bellyaches

673 Pet Shop Boys - Behaviour

672 Digital Underground - Sex Packets

671 Megadeth - Rust in Peace

670 Pixies - Bossanova

669 Depeche Mode - Violator

668 Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker

667 The La's - the La's

666 Deee-Lite - World Clique

665 The Shamen - En-Tact

664 Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas

663 NWA - Straight Outta Compton

662 Jungle Brothers - Done by the Forces of Nature

661 Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814

660 De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

659 Soul II Soul - Club Classics Vol. One

658 Fugazi - Repeater

657 Bonnie Raitt - Nick of Time

656 Pixies - Doolittle

655 Aerosmith - Pump

654 Barry Adamson - Moss Side Story

653 Coldcut - What's That Noise

652 808 State - 90

651 The Cure - Disintegration

650 Kate Bush - The Sensual World

649 Baaba Maal & Mansour Seck - Djam Leelii

648 Neneh Cherry - Raw Like Sushi

647 The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses

646 John Zorn - Spy vs. Spy

645 The Young Gods - Leau Rouge

644 The Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique

643 fIREHOSE - fROMOHIO

642 Spacemen 3 - Playing With Fire

641 Queen Latifah - All Hail the Queen

640 Madonna - Like a Prayer

639 New Order - Technique

638 John Lee Hooker - The Healer

637 Lenny Kravitz - Let Love Rule

636 Faith No More - The Real Thing

635 Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back

In August 1988 Jane's Addiction released their major label debut. The album solidified the band as a pioneering force in the alternative music scene of the late 1980s and paved the way for grunge to come. Lets talk Jane's Addiction, Nothing's Shocking!

In June of 1988, Dwight Yoakam released his third studio album. Recorded in Hollywood, the record features Yoakam's signature blend of traditional country roots with a modern twist. With hits like "I Sang Dixie" and "I Got You," Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room solidified Yoakam's place as a standout in the genre. Let's talk Dwight Yoakam, Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room!

In April 1988 the Sugarcubes released their debut studio album. This Icelandic alternative rock band recorded the album in Reykjavík, capturing their unique blend of post-punk and avant-garde pop. Featuring the enchanting vocals of lead singer Björk, the album garnered international acclaim for its energetic performances and eclectic sound. Let's talk Sugarcubes, Life's Too Good!

In the year 18th October 1988, Sonic Youth released their fifth studio album. Recorded in New York City, this experimental rock masterpiece showcases the band's signature blend of noise and melody, capturing the turbulent spirit of the late 1980s underground music scene. With tracks like "Teen Age Riot" and "Candle," Sonic Youth pushed the boundaries of alternative rock and solidified their status as pioneers of the genre. Let's talk Sonic Youth, Daydream Nation!

630 Morrissey - Viva Hate

629 American Music Club - California

628 KD Lang - Shadowland

627 Dagmar Krause - Tank Battles

626 Dinosaur Jr. - Bug

625 Metallica - ...And Justice for All

624 Pixies - Surfer Rosa

In November of 1988 My Bloody Valentine released their debut studio album. Shoegazing has arrived. Lets talk My Bloody Valentine, Isn’t Anything!

622 Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman

In November of 1988 Cowboy Junkies released their 2nd studio album. Recorded live in it’s entirety over one day at Toronto’s Church of the Holy Trinity, using a Betamax video cassette deck and a single microphone. Let’s talk Cowboy Junkies, The Trinity Session!

In August of 1988 The Go-Betweens released their 6th studio album. Though many in the band hated the pre-production process (and each other), the final results are impeccable; ten delightful pop classics by one of Australia's finest musical acts. Lets talk The Go-Betweens. 16 Lovers Lane!

In November of 1988 Happy Mondays released their second studio album. This is the sound of ecstasy colliding with a very depressed Martin Hannett. Lets talk Happy Mondays, Bummed!

618 R.E.M. - Green

617 Mudhoney - Superfuzz Bigmuff

616 Living Colour - Vivid

In February of 1988 Everything but the Girl released their 4th studio album. Tracey Thorn: "I am writing songs, though; lyrics that are more like short stories than pop lyrics. Perhaps they ought to be short stories. They don’t really have choruses. Maybe I’m just not very good at choruses. Ben is experimenting with synths and keyboards. He buys a drum machine and starts getting into the finer details of how to programme it. I don’t know how to operate the drum machine, or how to turn the synths on, and I’m not bothered enough to learn. There is some disagreement about what our next record should sound like. We keep changing our minds. I still write all my songs on a guitar or at the piano, and so when I play them they sound a bit like my songs have always sounded. But Ben is writing songs with a more modern sound, using his new synths and the drum machine, and I like these too. We veer between these two possible extremes before making a record, Idlewild, which incorporates a bit of both. Maybe it’s another ‘bizarre hybrid’" Lets talk Everything but the Girl, Idlewild!

In September of 1988 Fishbone released their 2nd studio album. A record that opens with Curtis Mayfield cover is a BOLD choice that can only go one of two ways; These punk/ska/funk/soul/hard rock/heavy metal maniacs managed to do it right. Let talk Fishbone, Truth and Soul!

613 The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues

612 Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man

611 The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God

In July of 1987 Terence Trent D'Arby released his debut studio album. Darly Easlea: "a soundtrack to the turning point when the 80s turned from austerity to prosperity. It's as central to that decade as the much-seen image of the city trader waving his wad of banknotes to the camera. It remains one big, infectiously glorious record." Lets talk Terence Trent D'Arby, Introducing the Hardline!

In March of 1987 U2 released their 5th studio album. It is one of the best selling albums of all time, and is included in many a critic's best albums of al time. Lets talk U2, The Joshua Tree!

In September of 1987 Pet Shop Boys released their Sophomore studio album. A loose critique on Thatcherism, the album was written in response to that harpy’s perceived re-election. It has appeared on a number of “must listen” lists and deservedly so. Let’s talk Pet Shop Boys, Actually!

607 Michael Jackson - Bad

606 The Triffids - Calenture

In June of 1987 Sonic Youth released their 4th studio album. The band continues their transition from No Wave to more traditional song structures but not ones to shy away from the avant-garde, the album is a loose concept record, the title itself is a reference to author Philip K. Dick's fraternal twin who died shortly after birth, and who's spirit haunted Dick for the rest of his days. Lets talk Sonic Youth, Sister!

604 Napalm Death - Scum

603 Laibach - Opus Dei

In 1987 Ladysmith Black Mambazo released their 25th album. Following their work on Paul Simon’s Graceland, the group found themselves riding a much deserved wave of hype. This time with Simon producing, the band got their first international hit and won themselves a Grammy in the process. Lets talk Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shaka Zulu!

In August of 1987, The Jesus and Mary Chain released their second studio album. It was the first one to feature drum machines, on account of their original drummer leaving the band to front Primal Scream. The album would peak at number five on the British charts, making it their best sales preforming record to date. Lets talk The Jesus and Mary Chain, Darklands!

600 Guns N Roses - Appetite for Destruction

599 The Smiths - Strangeways, Here We Come

598 Astor Piazzolla & Gary Burton - The New Tango

In the year 1987 Butthole Surfers released their third studio album. Sick and tired of being on the road and broke, the band opted to purchase an Ampex 8 track tape machine, two microphones, and recorded the entire album themselves in a two bedroom apartment they were renting in Winterville, GA. The limitations of the technology mixed with the freedom to record whenever they felt like (in between bong rips and massive doses of hallucinogens) made for one of the most influential and disturbing albums of the 80s. Lets talk Butthole Surfers, Locust Abortion Technician!

In January of 1987 Hüsker Dü released their 6th & final album. Let's talk Hüsker Dü, Warehouse Songs and Stories!

595 George Michael - Faith

In November of 1987 Sisters of Mercy released their 2nd Studio album. This is the record that launched a thousand capes. Let’s talk Sisters of Mercy, Floodland!

In September of 1987 Depeche Mode released their 6th studio album. Considered by many a fan and critic to be one of their finer outings, the subsequent tour would also bequeath us the fine tour documentary, 101. Lets talk Depeche Mode, Music for the Masses!

592 The Cult - Electric

591 Prince - Sign 'O' the Times

590 R.E.M. - Document

In August of 1987 Def Leppard released their fourth studio album. Produced by Mutt Lange over the course of three years, the record became an unstoppable glam pop juggernaut, spawning 7 singles, and selling over 12,000,000 copies stateside. It rules! Lets talk Def Leppard, Hysteria!

In March of 1987 a who's who of country stars featuring Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt released their first collaboration. It received all the accolades, was nominated for a ton of awards, won a few of them, and is just a delight for the ears. Let's talk Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, & Emmylou Harris, Trio!

In December of 1987 Dinosaur Jr. released their second studio album. Hailed by critics and bands alike as a landmark record in the burgeoning indie/alternative genre, inspiring both Nirvana and My Bloody Valentine and showing the punks that guitar solos are still cool. Lets talk Dinosaur Jr., You're Living All Over Me!

586 Anthrax - Among the Living

In May of 1986 Peter Gabriel released his fifth studio album. An inescapable juggernaut of a record, it brought the underground musical genius into the mainstream and is considered by more than a handful of critics to be his best output. Let’s talk Peter Gabriel, So!

584 The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

583 Anita Baker - Rapture

582 Bad Brains - I Against

In March of 1986 Steve Earle released his debut studio album. It rules. Let’s talk Steve Earle, Guitar Town!

In October of 1986 XTC released their 9th studio album. With known studio imp Todd Rundgren called for in to produce and the subsequent clashing of egos that took place, the results are nothing short of sublime. Let’s talk XTC, Skylarking!

In May of 1986 Run DMC released their 3rd studio album. It is literally the greatest rap/rock album ever made. Lets talk Run DMC, Raising Hell!

In August of 1986 Paul Simon released is seventh solo studio album. Following the commercial flop that was Hearts & Bones and his recent divorce from Carrie Fisher, Paul found himself in a deep depression. A bootleg cassette of South African street music got him excited about music again and the rest is history. Let’s talk Paul Simon, Graceland!

In September of 1986 Throwing Muses released their debut album. It was the first record by and American group to be released on the British 4AD Label (paving the way for The Pixies just a few years later). Allmusic review: "A startling collision of punk energy, folky melodicism, and Kristin Hersh's mercurial voice and lyrics...puts the work of most self-consciously 'tortured' artists to shame." Lets talk Throwing Muses, Throwing Muses!

In October of 1986 Slayer released their 3rd studio album. The first of their albums to be produced by Rick Rubin (who’s production made the music palatable to the non-initiated), the record is a sonic assault that cannot be denied. Hail Satan & lets talk Slayer, Reign In Blood!

In May of 1986 Sonic Youth released their 3rd full length studio album. It was their first on SST and the first to include new drummer, Steve Shelley. The album marks where the band introduced pop elements to their cacophonous racket. Lets talk Sonic Youth, EVOL!

574 Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet

573 Megadeth - Peace Sells... but who's Buying

572 Talk Talk - The Colour of Spring

571 Billy Bragg - Talking With the Taxman About Poetry

570 Nanci Griffith - The Last of the True Believers

569 The The - Infected

In March of 1986 Metallica released their 3rd studio album. With no radio play whatsoever, Thrash has hit the mainstream. Let's talk Metallica, Master of Puppets!

567 Beastie Boy - Licensed to Ill

566 Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force - Planet Rock

565 Elvis Costello - Blood and Chocolate

In June of 1985 Scritti Politti released their second studio album. To this day it remains the band’s best selling album, peaking at number five on the UK charts and spawning three top 20 hits in the UK. Let’s talk Scritti Politti, Cupid & Psyche!

563 Dexy's Midnight Runners - Don't Stand Me Down

In October of 1985 Simply Red released their debut album. It would go on to dominate the charts worldwide, achieving platinum sales status in six countries. Let’s talk Simply Red, Picture Book!

In May of 1985 New Order released their 3rd studio album. Scholars maintain that the record solidified the band’s divorce from post punk and their full embrace of dance rock. Lets talk New Order, Low - Life!

560 The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy

559 Tom Waits - Rain Dogs

558 The Smiths - Meat Is Murder

I'll make a deal with God

In August of 1985 The Pogues released their sophomore album. It was produced by Elvis Costello and recorded at Elephant Studios in Wapping, London. Of the recording process itself, Costello had this to say: "I saw my task was to capture them in their dilapidated glory before some more professional producer fucked them up." Let's talk The Pogues, Rum Sodomy and the Lash!

In May of 1985 Suzanne Vega released her debut album. Gary Kenton: "Vega can get a bit pretentious, but what singer-songwriter worth a damn doesn't? Its the price you pay for taking risks. Suzanne Vega is a flattering and very substantial introduction." Let’s talk Suzanne Vega, Suzanne Vega!

In January of 1986 Big Black released their debut album. A shot across the bow for what was considered extreme music at the time, the record is an all out aural assault. Chicago industrial has arrived. Let’s talk Big Black, Atomizer!

In 1985 The Mekons released their 4th studio album. Robert Christgau: "Just when I never wanted to hear a roots-rock record again, along come these British anarchists with a sort of concept album sort of about life during wartime. The Americans are clearing a sector down south, but that doesn't stop the good guys from playing their anarchic country-rock and doing their anarchic Morris stomp and fucking up their anarchic love lives and drinking to keep from shitting their pants and rolling down a highway that may finally be lost for real. Yes, amateurism is still a sentimental fallacy, and if you want to know why it's such a powerful one, listen up." Lets talk The Mekons, Fear and Whiskey!

In June of 1985 Prefab Sprout released their second studio album. Produced by Thomas Dolby (Booker T. Boffin for those in the know), the album has been praised by critics as a "shimmering jazz-pop masterpiece" that is "buttressed by a phenomenal rhythm section and fairy-dusted with Wendy Smith's breathy harmonies". Let's talk Prefab Sprout, Steve McQueen! Editor's note: This is the last of episode of the batch with audio issues, recommended playback at 1.5x, apologies.

*quick editor's note: we've still got mixer gremlin issues for these next two episodes, recommend playing at 1.5x speed, sorry for the inconvenience. In May of 1985 Dire Straits released their 5th studio album. Though initially spanned by critics upon its release, album would go on to be their biggest selling, spawning five singles, spending ten consecutive weeks at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, Nine weeks at #1 on the US Billboard 200, thirty four weeks on top of the Australian Albums Chart, and would go on to be certified a staggering 9x Platinum selling status in the USA alone, making it one of the top selling records of all time; but is it any good? Let's talk Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms!

In February of 1985 Tears for Fears released their second studio album. The record is a pop masterpiece that spawned six singles, and would go on to achieve multiple times platinum sales on both sides of the Atlantic. Let's talk Tears for Fears, Songs From the Big Chair!

In October of 1985 A-Ha released their debut studio album. The album launched the band into superstardom, spawned five singles, won accolades for their innovative music video for Take On Me. Let's talk A-Ha, Hunting High and Low!

Let's talk Abdullah Ibramin, Water From an Ancient Well!

In September of 1985 The Fall released their 8th studio album. Recorded between June & July of the same year, it is widely considered to be one of the band's finest outings. Let's talk The Fall, This Nation's Saving Grace!

In June of 1984 Bruce Springsteen released his 7th studio album. The follow up his subdued and minimal master piece, Nebraska, Springsteen opted for the bombast of his earlier works and in the process created one of the best, best selling records of all time. Let’s talk Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA!

545 Youssou N'dour - Immigres

In October of 1984 Lloyd Cole and the Commotions released their debut album. Written at Glasgow Golf Club (where Lloyd's father was Club Master) and recorded at The Garden studio in Shoreditch, the record is a concept of sorts about what people do when they are in love. Lets talk Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Rattlesnakes!

In July of 1984 the Minutemen released their third album. Named in reaction to the Sammy Hagar anthem, "I Can't Drive 55", the double album spans 45 songs in just 81 minutes. "Our band could be your life Real names'd be proof Me and Mike Watt, we played for years Punk Rock changed our lives" Let's talk Minutemen, Double Nickels on the Dime!

In May of 1984 Echo & the Bunnymen released their 4th studio album. Written in 1983 and almost entirely recorded in Paris using a 35 piece orchestra, the record received mixed reviews upon it's release due in apart to it's seemingly abandoning the rock roots of prior recordings. Let's talk Echo & the Bunnymen, Ocean Rain!

In May of 1984 Tina Turner released her 5th studio album. After being dropped from United five years earlier due to the poor reception of her album Love Explosion, A&R rep John Carter of Capitol Records spearheaded Tina's comeback. Setting her R&B pedigree aside, the album tracks gracefully maneuver between uptempo pop, full on ballads, and smatterings of jazz and soul. The results? Seven singles, 5x platinum sales stateside, four Grammy Awards including Record of The Year, Best Female Pop Performance & Best Female Rock Performance, and the career resurrection of one of the finest performers to ever grace a stage. Let's talk Tina Turner, Private Dancer!

In March of 1984 The Style Council released their official debut album. Meandering through whatever genre’s they deemed fit, the band created a real hodgepodge production that showed off just how much more Paul Weller and co. had to offer than rock n roll. Let’s talk The Style Council, Café Bleu!

In October of 1982 The Replacements released their third studio album. It is rightfully considered one of the greatest albums ever made and a reminder of what could have been if the band had ever managed to get their act together. Lets shoot for the middle and talk The Replacements, Let It Be!

In June of 1984 Prince released his 6th studio album. This time around The Revolution not only got credit on the album but actually played their instruments. It is the most commercially successful record he would ever make, spawning five singles and selling over 25,000,000 copies worldwide. Let’s talk Prince, Purple Rain!

In January of 1984 Van Halen released their 6th studio album. Though some in the band disagreed, Eddie Van Halen's decision to throw off the shackles of pure guitar rock and embrace the synthesizer as a lead instrument proved to be both a bold and wise move, as it would get them to the top of the Billboard Singles Charts and eventually go on to sell over ten million copies. Though it would be their last with Diamond Dave on vocals, it would prove to be the best output they would ever produce. Let's talk Van Halen, 1984!

In April of 1983 Minor Threat released their only studio album. Clocking in just north of twenty one minutes over the course of nine tracks, the album is a blisteringly fast DC hardcore assault with some surprising pop hooks peppered in. It is single-handedly responsibly for the straight edge movement, which in turn makes it responsible for that time I (Rob) got kicked in the head for smoking a cigarette at an Avail show fourteen years post the record's release (A story I would have told had I been on this episode). Let's talk Minor Threat, Out of Step!

In November of 1984 Cocteau Twins released their 3rd studio album. Recorded in August and September of the same year, the record is a departure from their post punk roots and is one of the finest dream pop records ever pressed to wax. Let's talk Cocteau Twins, Treasure!

In July of 1984 Sade released their debut album. Recorded over six weeks at Power Plant Studios with Robin Millar helming the board, the record would go on to spawn four singles, win Best British Album at the Brit Awards, and sell over ten million copies, making it the best selling album by a British female vocalist for twenty four years. Let's talk Sade, Diamond Life!

In March of 1984 Run DMC released their debut album. Breaking down the genre to it's bare bones, the group opted to keep the beats tighter and rhymes harder than anyone had done yet. The results? The first rap album to hit gold status, the creation of the rap/rock genre, and the opening salvo of hip hop's rise to cultural dominance. Let's talk Run DMC, Run DMC!

In October of 1984 Frankie Goes to Hollywood released their debut studio album. Spanning four sides, and with producer Trevor Horn flexing complete control over the final product, the album is a testament to 80s excess. Let’s talk Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Welcome to The Pleasure Dome!

In October of 1983 Culture Club released their second studio album. Preceded by their smash hit Karma Chameleon, the record would go on to sell over ten million copies worldwide and became a touchstone of 80s pop music. Let’s talk Culture Club, Colour by Numbers!

In April of 1984 Meat Puppets released their second studio album. Gone are the hardcore roots of the band, opting to embrace their love of psych, country, and just a touch of thrash. The results? One of the finest recording of the 1980s and another feather in the cap of SST. Let's talk Meat Puppets, Meat Puppets II!

In June of 1983 The Police released their 5th and final studio album. Recorded in just six weeks at Air Studios, the band recorded live in three separate rooms (“for social reasons”). It would go on to be a worldwide smash hit and the final nail in their proverbial coffin. Let’s talk The Police, Synchronicity!

In February of 1983 U2 released their 3rd studio album. It was the most overtly political musical statement to date by the band, with Sunday Bloody Sunday to this day being considered one of the best protest songs ever written. The album would finally unseat Thriller from the number one spot on the UK charts and many tracks are still staples of their live show. Lets talk U2, War!

In January of 1983 Eurythmics released their second studio album. It became the record that broke them out on both sides of the pond. Let’s talk Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)!

In late March of 1983 ZZ Top released their eighth studio album. Every dang track is a stone cold classic and the album would go on to achieve diamond sales status. But is it really a Billy Gibbons solo record in disguise? Let's talk ZZ Top, Eliminator!

In February of 1983 Echo and the Bunnymen released their 3rd studio album. Though initially panned by critics the album would go on to be their best selling to date and eventually reach gold status in sales. It's also maybe there best record? Let's talk Echo and the Bunnymen, Porcupine!

In November of 1983 Paul Simon released his 6th studio album. Entering into his fourth decade, Paul found himself in a rut. His vanity movie project One-Trick Pony was a commercial flop, the reunion concert with former band mate showed just why they broke up in the first place, and his pending divorce from Carrie Fisher was an open wound. What’s a sad middle aged man to do? Write a song about cars we guess? Let’s talk Paul Simon, Hearts & Bones!

In October of 1983 Cyndi Lauper released her debut album. The album is a pop masterpiece and has gone on to sell over 16 million copies worldwide. Let’s talk Cyndi Lauper, She’s So Unusual!

In May of 1983 Hanoi Rocks released their fourth studio album. These Finnish street urchins w/ the help of ex-Mott The Hoople alum Dale Griffen and Peter Watts production, made Glam Metal a thing and inspired the Sunset Strip crowd to step up their game. Let's talk Hanoi Rocks, Back to Mystery City!

In April of 1984 The Blue Nile released their debut album. Linn Electronics had a conundrum, the hi-fi equipment they made was just too good to demo previously recorded artists. Their solution was to start a record label and give three art school kids studio time. Let's talk The Blue Nile, A Walk Across the Rooftops!

In September of 1983 Tom Waits released his 8th studio album. Gone are the days of piano balladry and thus begins the experimental Muppet phase of his storied career. Let's talk Tom Waits, Swordfishtombones!

In October of 1983 The The released their debut album. NME’s Don Johnson: "In days when the pop song has been reduced to the reiteration of catch-phrases, Matt Johnson flexes a rare literary flair. More importantly he has the command of music's immense possibilities to carry them through without self-indulgence. Ignore this LP if you must, but you'll be ignoring one of the year's rare heart-stopping moments." Lets talk The The, Soul Mining!

In April of 1983 R.E.M. released their debut album. It has been heralded as one of the finest records of the 80s and helped usher in the alternative and college radio sound. Let's talk R.E.M., Murmur!

In January of 1983 Def Leppard released their 3rd studio album. With engineering wizard Mutt Lange having complete control over the writing and recording, over the course of 10 grueling months in 1982 the band would create an otherworldly sounding record that set the high watermark for all hard rock to come. Let's talk Def Leppard, Pyromania!

In May of 1983 British taste maker, Malcolm McLaren, released this album. It is the very definition of cultural appropriation but incidentally maybe started a trend that eventually led to the west caring about apartheid? Let's talk Malcolm McLaren, Duck Rock!

In April of 1983 Violent Femmes released their debut album. The record has been included on many a critics best of the 80s list and would go on to sell over a million copies. The tunes aren't bad either. Lets talk Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes!

In the year of our lord, 1982, Duran Duran released their sophomore studio outing. The album was not received well at all by critics of the day with NME saying it was "a sweet, lumpy pudding of a noise" and Record Mirror chiming in with, "thoroughly competent and yet bereft of the soul, passion and wit that makes a great record". The passage of time has proven the teenyboppers right on this one, this album slaps. Lets talk Duran Duran, Rio!

In March of 1982 Iron Maiden released their 3rd studio album. With the drug abuse related ouster of singer Paul Di'Anno heralded the arrival of the angel voiced former Samson vocalist, Bruce Dickinson, to fill the void. With his distinct "air raid" siren song added to Steve Harris's incredible compositions, the band made Heavy Metal a household name and became a worldwide phenomenon. Let's talk Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast!

In May of 1982 Associates released their sophomore album. The record peaked at #10 on the British charts and was named by Melody Maker as album of the year. Let’s talk Associates, Sulk!

In September of 1982 Bruce Springsteen released his 6th studio album. Initially written as scratch tracks for the E Street Band and subsequently declined, The Boss eschewed the bombast of his past outings and after digging in his pockets for the only copy of the tape in existence released his most raw and intimate album to date. Let’s talk Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska!

In November of 1982 Venom changed the face of Heavy Metal, forever. Let’s talk Venom, Black Metal!

In May of 1982 The Birthday Party released their 3rd studio album. Inspired by Southern Gothic imagery, the record has been described as a “scuzzy masterpiece” and was No. 17 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums. Let’s talk The Birthday Party, Junkyard!

In late November of 1982 Michael Jackson released his sixth studio album. Seven singles and worldwide sales of seventy million copies later, the record has cemented itself as a cultural phenom. Lets talk Michael Jackson, Thriller!

In November of 1982 Orange Juice released their sophomore outing. Lets talk Orange Juice, Rip It Up!

In September of 1982 Kate Bush released her 4th studio album. Written, recorded, and self produced over two years time, the record is an experimental work of genius. Making significant use of the Fairlight CMI, the album's sound is still fresh these many years later. Though considered a commercial flop on it's release, it's continued legacy cannot be overstated. Let's talk Kate Bush, The Dreaming!

In February of 1982 Haircut One Hundred released their debut album. The record would go on to spawn three hit singles, hit number two on the UK charts, and moved over three hundred thousand units on the island; but is it any good? Let's talk Haircut One Hundred - Pelican West!

In October of 1982 Donald Fagen released his debut solo album. After Steely Dan split the year prior, Fagen got back into the studio and with a slew of who's who session musicians, he proceeded to make the most personal recording of his career. Let's talk Donald Fagen, The Nightfly!

In November of 1982 Madness released their fourth studio album. Considered by many to be their best work, the album showcases just how great the band was as writers and players. Let's talk Madness, The Rise & Fall!

In September of 1982 Simple Minds released their 5th studio album. Recorded over a five month period at Rockfield Studios, Jim Kerr has stated that it was a time where everything they tried seemed to work. The album would go on to spawn three singles, peak at number 69 (nice) on the US Billboard 200, and be certified Platinum in the UK. Let's talk Simple Minds, New Gold Dream!

In July of 1982 Dexys Midnight Runners released their sophomore outing. Dressed in the finest of oogle fashions, Kevin Rowland and crew set-off to take over the pop charts. With the addition of strings to their Northern Soul sound, the band proceeded to do just that. Let's talk Dexys Midnight Runners, Too-Rye-Ay!

Robert Dimery is here and talking to the group about his new book  MusicQuake: The Most Disruptive Moments in Music and 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.  You can purchase at OUR (Louisville) local independent book store Carmichael's or through your local bookstore and yes if you must it is on Amazon along with Robert's other books  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robert-Dimery/e/B00HZILYAU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1667211227&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Dimery/e/B00HZILYAU You can find the Spotify playlist to go along with the book here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LtQE8H18dri97gxSJJXHq?si=0e8f1b22eea94fec

We are halfway done, huzzah! In May of 1982 The Cure released their 4th studio album. Touring 200 days a year, heavy drug use, and suicidal ideation are the key ingredients to the dour outing. The album's sound has been described as "Phil Spector in Hell". Let's talk The Cure, Pornography!

In July of 1982 Elvis Costello & The Attractions released their 6th studio album, together. The first to not be produced by Nick Lowe and recorded between November of 1981 and March of 1982 at AIR studios, this aural outing is considered by most to be a high water mark in a career consisting of only high water marks. Lets talk Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Imperial Bedroom!

In October of 1982 Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five released their debut album. It's an important one. Let's talk Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Message!

In October of 1982 Prince released his 5th studio album. The double LP was the first recording to feature The Revolution as his backing band, cementing the Minneapolis sound as the future of 80s funk, and has been hailed as one of the best albums of the decade. Let's talk Prince, 1999!

In June of 1982 ABC released their debut studio album. Produced by Trevor Horn, the record would go on to spawn four singles, hit number one on the UK charts, and was very well received by critics. Let's talk ABC, The Lexicon of Love!

In November of 1981 ABBA released their 8th studio album. With Benny and Frida's relationship hitting the skids, the record takes a darker tone than previous outings. The recording stood to be their last until the release of Voyage in 2021, four decades later. Let's talk ABBA, The Visitors!

In February of 1981 Rush released their 8th studio album. Recorded in October and November of 1980 at Le Studio in Morin Heights, the record would go on to spawn three singles, a Grammy nomination, and was their highest selling album, stateside. Let's talk Rush, Moving Pictures!

In October of 1981 Tom Tom Club released their debut album. When your lead singer writes you out of the song writing credits on the last album, whats a rhythm section to do? If your Tina Weymouth & Chris Frantz you call up one the best guitarists alive, Adrian Belew, head on down to the Bahamas, and make one of the greatest albums of the 1980s. Let's talk Tom Tom Club, Tom Tom Club!

In November of 1981 Bobby Womack released his 13th studio album... Nine months later a whole lot of babies were born. Let's talk Bobby Womack, The Poet!

In October of 1981 Bauhaus released their 2nd studio album. Expanding their sonic palette with the addition of keyboards and acoustic guitars, the band managed to one up themselves in what is arguably their best work. Let’s talk Bauhaus, Mask!

In late August of 1981 The Gun Club released their debut album on Ruby Records. Taking their cues from such blues luminaries as Robert Johnston but adding in the fury of punk into the mix, Jeffery Lee Pierce and co. trail-blazed the way for other stripped down roots rock, blues punk, cow punk, et al, still to this day. Let's talk The Gun Club, Fire of Love!

In October of 1981 The Human League released their third studio album. Following the exit of former bandmates Glen Gregory and Martyn Ware, Philip Oakey managed to put together a ragtag group of backup dancers, a former Scottish punk guitarists cum keyboardist, and studio session musician hired on full-time that went on to become a worldwide hits machine. Let's talk The Human League, Dare!

In June of 1981 The Psychedelic Furs unleashed their sophomore studio outing. Robert Christgau: "It's richer melodically, texturally, and emotionally. I loved the first Furs album because it seemed so disposable; I love this one because it doesn't." Let's talk The Psychedelic Furs, Talk Talk Talk!

In May of 1981 X released their sophomore album. Fusing the high energy speed of punk w/ one foot still playing in the r&b, rockabilly, roots, and country sandbox, the resulting thirteen tracks are a Wild Gift, indeed. Let's talk X, Wild Gift! (most humble apologies fro the crackle at the beginning of this podcast, it does go away.)

In December of 1981 Black Flag released their debut album. Though largely ignored upon its release by critics, the album is now considered and absolute classic of American Hardcore and the band itself paved the way that future DIY and indie bands would tour for years to come. Let’s talk Black Flag, Damaged!

In February of 1981 David Byrne and Brian Eno released their first album as a collaborative duo. Recorded before the Talking Heads, Remain in Light, it was shelved for a year on account of sample clearance issues. On the cusp of sampling’s 80s revolution, Eno’s love of tape loops are taken to their logical next step, while Byrne’s Afrobeat and Funk Rock leanings keep butts shaking. Let’s talk David Byrne & Brian Eno, My Life in The Bush of Ghosts!

In February of 1980 OMD released their third studio album. Taking inspiration from religious music, the band made use of chorale samples, the Mellotron, melodica and variety of other instruments to create the record’s beautifully lush sound. Let’s talk Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark, Architecture and Morality!

In November of 1981 Soft Cell released their debut album. Made on a tight budget, the band purportedly recorded almost entirely on a ReVox tape recorder. With a borrowed drum machine, a Korg bass synth, and producer Mike Thorne's Synclavier, the band created a true synth pop classic. Let's talk Soft Cell, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret!

In June of 1981 Motörhead released the greatest live record of all time. Seriously y’all, it’s the best. Let’s talk Motörhead, No Sleep ‘til Hammersmith!

In July of 1981 The Go-Gos released their debut album. Its a stunning first outing with songs that are pure pop perfection. The record would climb to the top of the Billboard Hot 200 in 8 months time and eventually go on to sell over two million copies. Let's talk The Go-Gos, Beauty and The Beat!

In September of 1981 Penthouse 17 released their debut album. After jumping ship on Human League, Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware chose their new band’s name from the fictional pop group mentioned in Anthony Burgesses’ A Clockwork Orange. Let’s talk Heaven 17, Penthouse and Pavement!

In June of 1981 Siouxie and The Banshees released their 4th studio album. It is widely considered to be one of the finest post-punk records ever made. Let’s talk Siouxie and The Banshees, Juju!

In October of 1981 Einstürzende Neubauten released their first official LP on the ZickZack record label. This is the sound of things not just falling apart but being intentionally destroyed. Industrial music taken at it's most literal interpretation, melody be damned. Let's talk Einstürzende Neubauten, Kollaps!

In late December of 1979 Pretenders released their debut album. Recording began with Nick Lowe producing Stop Your Sobbing, but being of the opinion that this band was "not going anywhere", he jumped ship and Chris Thomas came in to pick up the slack. The results? Pretenders debuted at #1 on the UK Album Charts, cracked the top 10 on the Billboard 200, certified platinum in 1982, and is considered one of the finest albums of all time. Let's talk Pretenders, Pretenders!

In late December of 1980, known multi-instrumentalist and Traffic aficionado, Steve Winwood, released his Platinum selling sophomore solo album. Recorded at his own Netherturkdonic Studios in Gloucestershire, Winwood opted to play all the instruments, write all the music, and produce and engineer the entire record himself. Let's talk Steve Winwood, Arc of a Diver!

In October of 1980 The Specials released their sophomore album. After six months on the road and utterly exhausted, the band went into the studio with musak on their minds. Jerry Dammers: "On that tour in America, I was listening to music in the hotel bars and elevators. Vibraphone music in elevators. Obviously this was classed as rubbish. I don't know if it was my state of mind, because I was so zonked, but it struck me as a really weird, psychedelic music, which is now called lounge or exotica. It's been rehabilitated, but at the time, to say you actually liked that music was mad. It completely freaked out some of the band." The results speak for themselves. Let's talk The Specials, More Specials!

In October of 1980 The Teardrop Explodes released their debut album. Deriving influence from the 60s psyche movement and punk, these Liverpudlians made a significant contribution to post-punk and the future of rock music in Britain. Let’s talk The Teardrop Explodes, Kilimanjaro!

In August of 1980 UB40 released their debut album. Robert Christgau - "Eight black-and-whites from Birmingham who named themselves after the dole card they know so well, they don't play no ska--they're songsmiths in a deep reggae groove. They take their time instead of pressing on to the next one, and more than one instrumental outwears its welcome." Let's talk UB40, Signing Off!

In September of 1980 Tom Waits released his 7th studio album. Why it’s in here when Swordfish Trombones is just three short years away, who knows? Let’s talk Tom Waits, Heartattack and Vine!

In late November of 1980 The Jam released their 5th studio album. Taking musical cues from many post-punk luminaries including Gang of Four, Joy Division, and Wire, with drummer Rick Buckler paying special attention to the drums on Off the Wall. It is The Jam's crowning achievement and truly one for the book. Lets talk The Jam, Sound Affects!

In April of 1980, The Undertones released their second album. Recorded at both Wisseloord Studios in The Netherlands and Eden Studios in London over the course of two months, the band cranked out more of the same material that endeared them so well to John Peel. Lets talk The Undertones, Hypnotised!

In April of 1980 Iron Maiden released their debut studio album. Recorded at Kingsway Studio the previous December, the album is a shot across the bow for heavy music. With breakneck speeds, ferocious riffs, anthemic melodies, and the dulcet tones of original singer Paul Di'Anno, the album heralded the arrival of The British New Wave of Heavy Metal. Let's talk Iron Maiden, Iron Maiden!

In July of 1980 Joy Division released their final studio album. Once again produced by Martin Hannett but released two month after the tragic passing of lead singer, Ian Curtis, the album represents a high watermark of the post-punk genre. Lets talk Joy Division, Closer!

In October of 1980 Talking Heads released their 4th studio album. With Brian Eno back at the helm, the band continues their trajectory as the best group to come out of the CBGB's scene, and the album deserves every accolade that has been thrown at it. Lets talk Talking Heads, Remain in Light!

In October of 1980 Circle Jerks released their debut album. With fourteen songs clocking in at just over fifteen minutes, the album is a true classic of the hardcore punk genre. Let’s talk Circle Jerks, Group Sex!

In April of 1980, known hellbent for leather Turbo Lovers, Judas Priest, released their 6th studio album. Taking lyrical cues from AC/DC this time around, the band dropped some of the darker themes featured on their earlier releases, opting for a more party time feel. The record announced the arrival of The New Wave of British Heavy Metal and would help inspire the thrash metal genre of a few years later. Lets talk Judas Priest, British Steel!

In October of 1980 Killing Joke released their debut album. "Bass, lead, to tell the killing joke, we mean it man! Total exploitation, no information, anonymity" was the rallying cry posted in Melodie Maker Magazine by keyboardist/singer Jaz Coleman and drummer Paul Fergeson in 1979. With the addition of guitarist Geordie Walker and bassist Youth, the band headed into the studio in August of 1980. Recorded at Marquee Studios in London and self-produced by the band, the album trail-blazed a sound that the Chicago indie scene of 5 years later would owe a true debt. Lets talk Killing Joke, Killing Joke!

In November of 1980 Motörhead released their fourth studio album. Recorded in August and September of the same year, the illustrious producer Vic Maile managed to capture the raw power of the trio all while tightening up their sound. Though the band hated being lumped into The New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the record is a true watershed moment where the fury of punk and the speed of metal were fused together by one of the best rock n roll bands around. Lets talk Motörhead - Ace of Spades!

In July of 1980 Echo & the Bunnymen released their debut album. Recorded over the course of about three weeks and produced by Bill Drummond, David Balfe, and Ian Broudie, the album is considered one of the finer debut records in the 80s. Let’s talk Echo & the Bunnymen, Crocodiles!

In April of 1980 known sad bois from West Sussex, The Cure, released their second studio album. Due to being cash strapped, the record was recorded and mixed down in seven days with the band pulling 16 - 17 hour per, with the majority of the songs being conceived and written by lead singer Robert Smith in his parent's house on a Hammond organ. The album has gone on to be considered a pioneering example of gothic rock and an harbinger of the gloom to come. Lets talk The Cure, Seventeen Seconds!

On June 28th of 1980 The Soft Boys released their 2nd studio album. Recorded in parts during June of 79, and from January to June of 80 on both 4 and 8 track recorders for the low price of £600, the album hearkens back to the psychedelia of the 60s but with its feet firmly planted in the post-punk of it's day. Though not a commercial success upon it's release,the album's influence and legacy cannot be overstated (we see you, R.E.M). Lets talk The Soft Boys, Underwater Moonlight!

In May of 1980, former Genesis alum Peter Gabriel released his third self-titled record. Known by informally as Melt, (due to the altered Polaroid photo of Gabriel with half of his face melting off) the album became his first commercial breakthrough as a solo artist, showing him to be a true innovator and one of the finest musical artists of his day. Let's talk Peter Gabriel, Peter Gabriel!

In September of 1980 The Dead Kennedys released their debut album. The stench of Reagan looms on the horizon, Jerry Brown is coming for your uncool niece, Harvey Milk's assassin only gets 7 years in prison (but serves less than that) and the threat of global nuclear holocaust is at an all time high, whats a bunch of angry leftist punks to do? Write a masterpiece of American Hardcore, that's what. Lets talk The Dead Kennedys, Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables!

In 1980, The Cramps released their debut studio album. Let’s talk The Cramps, The Songs the Lord Taught Us!

In July of 1980 AC/DC released their 7th studio album. Following the tragic passing of front-man Bon Scott in February, the band decided to keep on going and brought on Brian Johnson as the new singer. With Mutt Lange back as engineer, they defied all the odds by making one of the definitive rock albums of the 80s that would eventually go on to be certified 25x platinum stateside. Let's talk AC/DC, Back in Black!

In July of 1980 Dexys Midnight Runners released their debut album. After disbanding his punk band, Kevin Rowland had a vision; to combine the urgency of punk rock with the Northern Soul scene. To quote Kevin himself: "I'm going to do what I really want to do: form a great group. We'll wear great clothes and make soulful music." Let’s talk Dexys Midnight Runners, Searching for the Young Soul Rebels!

In November 1980 Adam & The Ants released their second studio album. After getting his backing band stolen from him by Malcolm McLaren to form Bow Wow Wow, Adam went back into the studio armed with one Marc Pirroni on guitar and as a new writing partner. The results? The pirate look became a very real thing in 1981. Let's talk Adam & the Ants, Kings of the Wild Frontier!

In October of 1979 The Specials released their debut album. Produced by Elvis Costello and released on keyboardist Jerry Dammers 2 tone record label, the album was an anti-racist shot across the bow for disaffected youth in England, just as the country's ugly right-wing turn and rise of Thatcher were taking hold. Let's talk The Specials, The Specials!

In September of 1979 Gary Numan released his debut solo album. By the time Tubeway Army had released Replicas but before it hit #1 on the UK album charts, Numan had dropped the electric guitar all together, hired drummer Cedric Sharpley and keyboardist Chris Payne, and got started recording under his stage name. Released just six months after Replicas, it would prove to be his second #1 UK album in the same year. Let's talk Gary Numan, The Pleasure Principle!

In November of 1979 The Damned released their third studio album. The album is the first with the new lineup after the ouster of Brian James and Lu Edmunds. Dave Vanian is still on vocals, Captain Sensible now on the guitar, Rat Scabbies is back on drums and the new kid on the block, Algy Ward, taking up bass guitar. We think its great. Lets talk The Damned, Machine Gun Etiquette!

In August of 1979, Michael Jackson released his 5th studio album. It was the first album released for Jackson on Epic following his departure from Motown. The album is also the first with Quincy Jones at the helm, whom Jackson had met on the film set of The Wiz. It is considered a classic of the disco era and possibly his greatest record. Let's talk Michael Jackson, Off the Wall!

In November of 1979 Public Image Ltd released their sophomore album. The album is a departure and giant leap forward from the debut. Lyrically it is less cringe, the rhythm section is on point, and the guitar work and tone shaped post punk to come. The packaging ain't too shabby, either. Lets talk PiL, Metal Box!

In November of 1979 Pink Floyd released their 11th studio album. What do you do when your tax dodging investment scheme goes tits up and find yourselves on the hook for an 83% tax liability of which you have no way to pay? You call Bob Ezrin to turn your nightmare concept record about a sad, rich, rock star into a coherent masterpiece, that's what. Let's talk Pink Floyd, The Wall!

In October of 1979 Fleetwood Mac released their 12th studio album. Following the colossal success of Rumors the band opted to build their own studio to record the next album. A ten month cocaine binge and 20 songs later, the band released what was at the time the most expensive album ever made. The double LP had a sticker shock price of $16.00 (which in 2022 monies equates to $63.72), only spent nine months on the Billboard charts, and was considered a failure by Warner Bros. Let's talks Fleetwood Mac, Tusk!

In February of 1979, power pop legends Cheap Trick released their breakthrough live album. Recorded live at Nippon Budokan (originally constructed for the 1964 Olympics to host judo competitions) on the 28th & 30th of April 1978, the album captures one of the finest live acts of the day in their prime and catapulted the band from opener to headliners almost over night. Let's talk Cheap Trick, at Budokan!

In September of 1979 Gang of Four released their debut album. Call it dance-punk, call it art-punk, or call it post-punk but just don't call it late to dinner! This record is an important one in the shaping of the future of rock music. Lets talk Gang of Four, Entertainment!

In June of 1979 Neil Young & Crazy Horse released Rust Never Sleeps. Borrowing the Gerald Casale & Mark Mothersbaugh advertisement slogan for RustO-leum as the title, Young applied the philosophy to avoiding complacency with writing and putting on more progressive live shows. The album is one of Young's finest and is certainly a must listen. Let's talk Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Rust Never Sleeps!

In January of 1979 Elvis Costello released his 3rd studio album. With Nick Lowe back at the helm, the album marks an end point to Costello’s “angry persona” and is as lyrically dark as he ever got, with many a fascist imagery and heartbreak weaving their way through an album absolutely sticky sweet with pop goodness. Let’s talk Elvis Costello, Armed Forces!

In September of 1979, The Slits released their debut studio album. Recorded over ten weeks time at Ridge Farm Studios, the album is ground zero for the beginnings of what would happen in Olympia, WA ten years later. It's influence is still being felt today and is (rightly so) considered by many a critic to be one of the best albums of all time. Lets talk The Slits, Cut!

In November of 1979 Marian Faithfull released her 7th studio album. The album is a comeback and also her masterpiece, following Marina’s trials and tribulations with anorexia, drug addiction, and homelessness. Let’s talk Marian Faithfull, Broken English!

In November of 1979 Japan released their 3rd studio album. Finding themselves floundering as a Glam act, the band decided to take a different musical path. Teaming up with famed Italian synth pioneer Giorgio Moroder for the single, "Life in Tokyo" and subsequently dismissing him for a full length record; the band decided to give it a go with their manager (Simon Napier-Bell) and then, eventually, John Punter (who had worked with Roxy Music in the past). The results more or less birthed the New Romantic movement, for better or for worse. Let's talk Japan, Quiet Life!

In December of 1979, The Clash released one of the only double records worth talking about. Recorded over 3 months at Wessex South Studios w/ producer Guy Stevens, the album is a testament to the band’s talent and is truly one of the best records ever put to wax. Let’s talk The Clash, London Calling!

May of 1979, known ruddy cheeked little scamps, The Undertones, released their debut album. Recorded by Roger Béchirian in less than four weeks, the album stands as a testament to teenage angst, with its whip smart pop punk harmonies and counterpoints being considered amongst the best of the 70s and most certainly one of the finest punk albums of its day. Let’s talk The Undertones - The Undertones!

In July of 1979 Chic released their 3rd studio album. The record became a touchstone for the disco era and beyond, with it’s hit single, “Good Times” being heavily sampled in hip hop, notably on “Rappers Delight” and at least 215 other songs. Let’s talk Chic, Risqué!

In June of 1979, Joy Division released their debut album. It became the first LP put out by Factory records and the first of theirs to be recorded by Martin Hannett. The record's use of space, odd percussive effects (see compressed air) and all around dark mood puts it far and away one of the greatest debut albums of all time and became an harbinger of the shape of post punk to be. Let's talk Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures!

In August of 1979, the Talking Heads released their third studio album. With Brian Eno in the production seat for the second time, the band continues their incredible streak creating some of the best albums put to wax. Lets talk Talking Heads, Fear of Music!

In March of 1979, The Fall released their debut album. Five days were booked at Sound Suite Studios to record these eleven songs but singer Mark E. Smith cancelled the first three on account of getting ill. The band knocked out the recording in a single day and the rest is history. Let's talk The Fall, Live at the Witch Trials!

In October of 1979 The Police released their sophomore album. The album title roughly translates from French to "White Reggae" and sounds as such. Recorded over the course of four weeks at various times between February to August of the same year, the band was under no time crunch to produce and as a result the album is more polished than it's predecessor; earning the band it's first Grammy for "Best Rock Instrumental Performance" on the title track. Let's talk The Police, Reggatta De Blanc!

In the year 1979, Can founder and AM radio enthusiast, Holger Czukay, released his 2nd album. Being of the Stockhausen school of music, Czukay used a snippets of shortwave radio recordings and painstaking built songs around them. The album is a triumph of primitive sampling and deserves to be heard. Let's talk Holger Czukay, Movies!

In July of 1979, known Athenians and thrift store party rockers, The B-52's released their self-titled debut. Back in April of 78 the band decided to release the single, "Rock Lobster", to better help them book better shows and in so doing got themselves signed to Warner Bros. With the major label backing, the band flew to Nassau and recorded at Compass Pointe Studios. The results, you ask? Just one of the best post-punk albums, ever. Lets talk The B-52's, The B-52's!

n October of 79, the Germs released their one and only full length album. Produced by Joan Jett and recorded over three weeks at Quad Teck studios, GI gives clarity to songs the band shambled through at their live shows. The title is taken from an acronym the band used (Germs Incognito) for booking shows after they had been banned from performing at most of the clubs in the LA scene and is considered by most to be the first hardcore record ever released. Let's talk Germs, GI!

In the year 1979, The Crusaders released their 12th studio album (but 30th if you count their work as The Jazz Crusaders). The record's titular song became their most successful single, and the album reached #1 on Billboard's Jazz Album list for 1979. Let's talk The Crusaders, Street Life!

In January of 1979, Sister Sledge released their 3rd studio album. All of the tracks were co-written & produced by Chic founders Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, spawning such singles as the titular "We Are Family", "He's The Greatest Dancer", and "Lost In Music". The record would go on to hit #3 on the Billboad top 200, #1 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums, and remains a true highlight of the disco era. Let's talk Sister Sledge, We Are Family!

In late July of 1979, AC/DC released their 6th studio album and would prove to be the last with Bon Scott. The record is the first to be produced by Mutt Lange, who put the band through their paces with 15 hour a day studio sessions over the course of two months. It eventually would go on to be a 7x Platinum selling record and set the boys up for true rock stardom. The tracks ain't too shabby, either. Lets talk AC/DC, Highway to Hell!

In November of 1978, Siouxsie & The Banshees released their debut album. Recorded in one week and mixed in three, with lead singer Siouxie Sioux’s dark and haunting lyrics and delivery, angular guitars, bass led rhythm, and machine like drumming that’s heavy on the toms, the album is considered a watershed moment in the post-punk movement. Spooky kids, unite! Let’s talk Siouxie & The Banshees, The Scream!

In September of 1978 former Roxy Musician turned sound sculptor, Brian Eno, released his 6th studio album. Before the advent of the Walkman when one traveled by plane, one was left to the devices of the airport's music overlords; and that made Brian Eno mad. So mad, infact, that he spearheaded the advent of ambient music. Let's talk Brian Eno, Ambient 1 Music for Airports!

In November of 78, known disease lacking youths and all around great band, X-Ray Spex, released their debut album. To say that Poly Styrene had a singular voice and style is an understatement and her contribution to punk rock cannot be overstated. Through her song-craft, vocal delivery and stage presence, she showed an entire generation of women that they too could write tunes and play in rowdy bands. What of the album's quality, you ask? It is one of the very best punk records of all time. Let's talk X-Ray Spex, Germ-Free Adolescents!

In August of 1978 Chic released their 2nd studio album. The album was their most successful in a commercial sense, due in large part to the hit single, Le Freak, which dominated the charts globally, selling over six million copies in the US alone. Nile Rogers is on full display, here. Bask his disco guitar "chunking" glory. Lets talk Chic, C'est Chic!

In April of 1978, beloved pot enthusiast and Highwayman, Willie Nelson, released his 22nd studio album. Following the breakout success of 1975's The Redheaded Stranger, 1976's platinum selling Wanted! The Outlaws, and 1978's #3 Billboard Country Top Country Album, From Lefty To Willie, Nelson decided he'd like to record some songs from his childhood. With the help of his neighbor/producer Booker T. Jones and much to the chagrin of Columbia record executives, he did just that. Let's talk Willie Nelson, Stardust!

In December of 1978, Marvin Gaye released is 15th studio album. Herein lies the tale of a man, his divorce, the four months of studio time and double LP he made chronicling it. Let's talk Marvin Gaye, Here, My Dear!

Known Australian band not named INXS or AC/DC, The Saints, released their sophomore album in May of 1978. Recorded in 1977 and originally title International Robots, the album is considered by the band to be their first proper release, as the previous record, (I'm) Stranded, was made of various demos. It is considered to be one of the very best LPs of the first wave of punk. Lets talk The Saints, Eternally Yours!

In June of 1978, known band featuring Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, released thier debut album. With Steve Winwood's brother working the faders, the record took just under a month to produce. Critical reception varied from "an accomplished debut" to "It's almost as if they were aware that their forte has nothing to do with what's currently happening in the industry, but couldn't care less." Let's talk Dire Straits, Dire Straits!

In the year 1978, known Akronites and pioneers who got scalped, DEVO, released their debut studio album. Recorded at Conny Plank’s home studio in Cologne Germany and w/ Brian Eno at the helm, the album is a true turning point in what punk was devolving towards. “The fittest shall survive, yet the unfit may live.” Let’s talk DEVO, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!

In June of 1978, The Cars released their debut album. Recorded at AIR studios in London and produced by Roy Thomas Baker, the resulting nine songs play as a best of album. Lets talk The Cars, The Cars!

In the year 1978, Rubén Blades and Willie Colón released their second of four collaborative works. This was the best selling Salsa album of all time, with most all of the tracks on the record being a #1 single in countries across Latin America. With infectious grooves and sick hooks such as these, the collective butts of the world can do nothing but shimmy and shake to their dulcet tones. Let's talk Rubén Blades and Willie Colón, Siembra!

In February of 1978 Van Halen released their debut album. Taking there live set directly into the studio and over the course of two week, the band recorded everything thing they knew how to play. The results? Well, they speak for themselves. Lets talk Van Halen, Van Halen!

In March of 1978 The Buzzcocks release their first studio album. It features neither the single Orgasm Addict nor What Do I Get on account of the misguided British punk ethos "if a person buys the single and the record and the single is on there, they will feel like they've been ripped off". That's great for 1978, not so much for crate digging in the 21st century. Those physical media quibbles aside, it is a master class in popcraft. Let's talk The Buzzcocks, Another Music in a Different Kitchen!

In July of 1978, Talking Heads released their second studio album. With this outing (and subsequent two other recordings) being helmed by Brian Eno, the band's sound truly begins to come into it's own. Lets talk Talking Heads, More Songs About Building and Food!

In the Summer of 1978, known Dino's denizens and boys returning home, Thin Lizzy, released their Live double album. Compiled from various live recordings the world over and with the occasional studio overdub done by Tony Visconti, the resulting seventy six minutes and twenty six seconds of rock music has been rightfully hailed as one of the greatest live albums of all time. Let's talk Thin Lizzy, Live and Dangerous!

In December of 1978, Throbbing Gristle released their second studio album. Is it an easy listen? Absolutely not. Is it important? Absolutely yes. Lets talk Throbbing Gristle, D.o.A: Third and Final Report!

In September of 1978 Funkadelic released their 10th studio album. It was their most successful release, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Magazine's R&B charts and number 16 on the Billboard 200. Lauded by critics, considered by many one of the best albums of all time, but it is as fun as Mothership Connection? Let's talk Funkadelic, One Nation Under a Grove!

Hero to the working man and godfather of heartland rock, Bruce Springsteen, released his 4th studio album in the Summer of 1978. Gone are the good times of Born To Run, replaced instead by ruminations of crushed dreams and dashed hopes. Truly, this is the tale of New Jersey. Let's talk Bruce Springsteen, Darkness on the Edge of Town!

In the Summer of 1978, Magazine released their debut album. Shrugging of the constricts and posturing of punk, the band opted to push that raw energy into a more melodic form. The results? A fantastic recording with pop sensibilities and true lyrical depth. Let's talk Magazine, Real Life!

In December of 1978, Public Image Limited released their 1st studio recording. The record is a mess. Brimming with the lyrical stylings of a young man desperate to show he’s got serious things to say, but delivered with the obnoxious air of one who just couldn’t be bothered. It is a juvenile master class in self-importance, masquerading as a grand statement. These are not songs. This is not an album. But goodness gracious, that guitar tone and bass work is setting a pretty table for the future of rock music. Let’s talk PiL, First Issue!

In November of 1978, The Resident's released their 5th studio album on Ralph Records It was their most commercial sound recording to date and that is really saying something. Lets talk The Residents, Duck Stab/Buster and Glen!

In the year 1974, after two commercial failures with Radio City and #1 Record, Alex Chilton and Jody Stephens went back into Ardent studio to record some tracks. What came of those sessions was so depressive, ramshackle, and unmarketable that the recordings languished in rock n roll purgatory until PVC Recordings acquired and released them under Big Star's name four years later. Truly, this is the dulcet sound of everything falling apart. Lets talk Big Star, Third - Sister Lovers!

In February of 1978, The Adverts released their debut album. It has been heralded as not only one of the best punk albums of all time but also one of the best albums of the 1970s. Let’s talk The Adverts, Crossing The Red Sea With The Adverts!

"There hasn't been anything like this since Gram Parsons was around to make Grievous Angel, or do I mean Gilded Palace of Sin?" - Robert Christgau In The year 1978, Joe Ely opened for The Clash in London and released his second studio album. It has been hailed as a must listen country record of the 1970s and who are we to argue? Let's talk Joe Ely, Honky Tonk Masquerade!

In November of 1978 known Mods (and maybe cons?), The Jam, released their 3rd studio album. Coming off a less than well received US tour supporting BÖC and the record label demanding a hit, The Jam went into the studio and through sheer force of will cobbled together what NME considers to be the 219th best album of all time. Let's talk The Jam, All Mod Cons!

In the late Winter of 1978, Elvis Costello released his second album. Nary a sophmore slump to found here. With the addition of his backing band, The Attractions, Costello was able to create what many consider to be one of the finest albums of the 70s. Let's talk Elvis Costello, This Year's Model!   Intro music by Bullet Points Buy Merch Buy Digital Facebook Instagram

In the early Spring of 1978, The Only Ones released their debut album. Throwing punk, power pop, and psych into a musical blender, the band delivers an aural concoction that is a feast for the ears. Lets talk The Only Ones, The Only Ones!   Intro music by Bullet Points Buy Merch Buy Digital Facebook Instagram

Serving up a second helping of avant-garage goodness for you earholes in the same year, know mistake on the lake denizens, Pere Ubu, released their second album in the chilly Ohio November of 1978. Let's talk Pere Ubu, Dub Housing!

398 Elis Regina - Vento De Maio

In the sticky summer of 1978, Blondie went into the studio to record their 3rd album. Its a ripper. Lets talk Blondie, Parallel Lines!

In May of 1978 known progenitors of Technopop and fellas making music for machines, Kraftwerk, released their 7th studio album. It rules! Lets talk Kraftwerk - The Man-Machine!

In the winter of 1978 known Clevelandites and avant-rockers, Pere Ubu, released their debut album. Let's talk Pere Ubu, The Modern Dance!

In the late October of 1977, a buncha schlubs from foggy London Town, put together by the owner of a bondage shop, released their debut album. Let's talk Sex Pistols, Never Mind the bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols!

Ian Dury, released his debut album in the late September of 1977. Its cheeky. Let's talk Ian Dury, New Boots and Panties!

In the continuing European adventures of James and David, we find our heroes back at Hansa (West Berlin) Studio, once again molding the future of Rock n Roll. Lets talk Iggy Pop, Lust For Life!

In the summer of 1977, Elvis Costello released his debut album. It was recorded over the course of twenty four hours in four different sessions by Nick Lowe; and with backing band Clover on board, it is serviceable starting point for one of the most important songwriters of the era. Lets talk Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True!

Sentient baked meat dish known for his villianous turn as Red in the film, Black Dog, Meat Loaf, released his debut album in October of 1977. Produced by Todd Rundgren who was under the false assumption that the record had major label backing (it didn't and he paid for it all himself), it has since become one of the best selling albums in the history of recorded music. Rest In Power, Jim Steinman! Let's talk Meat Loaf, Bat Out of Hell!

In February of 1977, possibly the best band to come out of the New York City scene, Television, released their debut album. Recorded in September of the previous year at A & R Recordings, the album has been lauded by critics as one of the greatest albums of all time. Who are we to argue? Let's talk Television, Marquee Moon!

Guy in a car sick of singing about Hobbit crap, Peter Gabriel, released his solo debut in the late winter of 1977. With one Bob Ezrin on at the board and a whole slue of studio wonks, Gabriel proved right out gate that his vision and song craft were gonna continue to impress in his post Genesis life. Let's talk Peter Gabriel, Self-titled... or is it Car? !!

American abroad and fella with a habit, James, found himself on a Euro trip with his friend David in the year 1976. With both of them literally on the road to recovery, David decided to book a couple months studio time in the North of France where he and our intrepid former Stooge worked out the sound of the future. Lets talk Iggy Pop, The Idiot!

In the cold New York City December of 1977, Allen Vega and Martin Rev released their debut album on the Red Star Label. The album was recorded over the course of four days and is considered by many to be one of the best records of all time. Let's talk Suicide, Suicide!

Known Beach Boy and brother to Brian, Dennis, released his first solo record in the late summer of 1977. The record's beginning started all the way back in 1974, when the Boys' Beach refused to play much of Dennis's material. Though started earlier in the 70s, the vast majority of the album was recorded in the Spring of 76-77. The results? A surprisingly soulful psychedelic vision that sees Dennis come into his own as an artist. Let's talk Dennis Wilson, Pacific Ocean Blue!

In the summer of 1977, our intrepid former Thin White Duke was at it again in West Berlin. Recorded in its entirety at Hansa Tonstudio with The dream team of Tony Visconti and Brian Eno once again reassembled, Bowie's 12th studio album is a feast for the ears. Lets talk David Bowie, Heroes!

In 1976, known drug addicted and incestuous band of philanderers, Fleetwood Mac, went into the studio to record their magnum opus. Let's talk Fleetwood Mac, Rumours!

Though they were the most highly touted new wave band to emerge from the CBGB's scene in New York, it was not clear at first whether Talking Heads' Lower East Side art rock approach could make the subway ride to the midtown pop mainstream successfully.  - William Ruhlmann

John Martyn took an extended break from studio recording to put some distance between himself and the pressures of the business and to recoup his creative energies, he went to Jamaica. There, after meeting dub producer Lee "Scratch" Perry and was inspired to create this album.

380 Wire - Pink Flag

Known Jazz Rock enthusiasts and band beckoning all of us on board the yacht, Steely Dan, released their 6th studio album in the Fall of 1977. Starting in late 76 and going all the way through July of 77, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker proceeded to torture a veritable rogue's gallery of session players; ultimately producing a record so well made it is still used to tune stereos and concert hall mixing boards to this day. So sit back, pour yourself a big black cow and let's talk Steely Dan, Aja!

Cocaine, peppers and milk are cool for a while and all, but in 1976, the Thin White Duke and his friend James decided enough was enough. The pair moved to France to get clean (where David helped James write and record a staggeringly good solo debut) before arriving in Germany; where the true story of our intrepid former Starman's Berlin Trilogy was about to unfold. Let's talk David Bowie, Low!

This album absolutely slays. Let’s talk, The Clash, The Clash!

376 The Stranglers - Rattus Norvegicusn

Know father of the Chicago Blues, Muddy Waters, released his first album on Blue Sky Records in the winter of 1977. The 63 year old Waters, using his touring band, recorded the tracks over the course of three days time and the record is considered by many to be one of the best blues albums ever put to wax. Let's talk Muddy waters, Hard Again!

The story of jazz fusion, a fedora the size of a city, and the sentient weather front brave enough to play and wear both. Let’s talk Weather Report, Heavy Weather!

Known Traveling Wilbury and Beatles enthusiast, Jeff Lynne had a cabin in the Swiss Alps and some serious inspiration coming into ELO's 7th studio album. The double record was written in it's entirety over the course of 3 weeks and recorded over two months in Munich. The results? Seventy minutes of pure pop bliss and record sales topping ten million copies. Let's talk Electric Light Orchestra, Out Of The Blue!

In the year 1976, known reggae icon and rouser of rabble, Bob Marley, damn near bought the farm during a botched assassination attempt on his life, being grazed on chest and taking a bullet to the arm. Finding his homeland unsafe, Marley self exiled to the UK and began working on his and The Wailers 9th studio album. Let Talk Bob Marley & The Wailers, Exodus!

Known back street guy and piano man, Billy Joel, found himself on the verge of being dropped by his label in 1977. Knowing he needed a hit, William turned first to George Martin as producer but finally settled on Phil Ramone. The resulting nine songs recorded over the course of three weeks time gave Joel his first critical and commercial success. Lets talk Billy Joel, The Stranger!

Known krautrock royalty and electro pioneers, Kraftwerk, continue making that sweet factory music on their 6th studio outing. Recorded at Kling Klang studio and released on their label of the same name, the album stands as a high watermark in their already peerless catalogue. Lets talk Kraftwerk, Trans Europe Express!

Known co-writer of the oblique strategies cards and glam cum art rock weirdo, Brian Eno, took his sweet time on his fifth solo album. With one hundred songs written and ten brought to the studio(s), the album was made over the course of two years with a who's who of the rock/kraut scene. Taking an almost subtractive synthesis approach to the mixing, anything and everything was tracked and slowly whittled down to make each individual song. Let's talk Brian Eno, Before and After Science!

It's no I'm In You but what can you do? Let's talk Peter Frampton, Frampton Comes Alive!

Stevie Wonder brings his classic period to a triumphant close with his eighteenth studio album. Disenfranchised with the United States Government for being a flaming pile of crap, Stevie found himself wanting to emigrate to Ghana, work with handicap children, and to quit music all together. A 37 million dollar, seven album deal with Mo-Town brought about a change of heart and with the full creative control written into that contract, Stevie was allowed to release his masterpiece double album (plus an additional 45). Lets talk Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life!

Former Wailer and the best ganja spokesperson ever, Peter Tosh, released his debut solo album in June of 1976. Written as a response to the continued harassment and victimization at the hands of the Jamaican military for his advocacy regarding marijuana legalization, the government's attempts to ban the title track and album only helped bring international attention and success to his rising star. Lets talk Peter Tosh, Legalize It!

In 1977, founder of the Kalakuta Republic and progenitor of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti, released his 15th record. Though only four tracks and twenty five and a half minutes in length, the album is an absolute butt shaker. Lets talk Fela Kuti, Zombie!

Punk Rock has landed. Let's talk Ramones, Ramones!

The story of a Frenchman, six synthesizers, one drum machine, and his kitchen recordings. Let's talk Jean-Michel Jarre, Oxygene!

362 Penguin Café Orchestra - Music From the Penguin Café

Known extraterrestrial brothers and arbiters of all things hip, Parliament, made the definitive statement on all matters funky with their fourth studio outing. Recorded over six months in 1975 and clocking in at 38:06, this seven song record is the party album to end all party albums. Lets talk Parliament, Mothership Connection!

In the winter of 76, known composers of the Crazy/Cryin'/Amazing tryptic and band that shouldn't have been allowed within 500 yards of a seventeen year old Alicia Silverstone while filming those videos, Aerosmith, went into the studio to record their 4th album. Fueled by anything they could snort, boof, or shoot, the mix of road tested chops and straight up hedonism mystically lead to what many consider to be the crown jewel of their storied career. Lets talk Aerosmith, Rocks!

Known singer-songwriter and non-Beatles influenced recording artist, Joan Armatrading, comes out swinging on her third studio outing. Bringing in a veritable rogue's gallery of the UK folk scene as back up musicians and with Glyn Johns helming the sliders, this self-titled album is a true standout. Let's talk Joan Armatrading, Joan Armatrading!

Known godfather of Samba Rock, Jorge Ben, pulled a Brazilian uncle Robert in 1976. Brushing off the shackles of nylon strings and bringing in a myriad of musical influences, Jorge made a stone cold classic butt shaker on his 14th studio outing. Let's talk Jorge Ben, África Brasil!

Known Canadian power trio and purveyors of background music for games of Dungeons and Dragons around the world, Rush, found themselves at an impasse professionally in 1975. Following the disappointing reception and sales of their album, Caress of Steel, and a decline in show attendance, their label decided to give them one last shot before parting ways. Lets talk Rush, 2112!

In the late summer of 1975, known terrible mimes and band women don't want between them and a door, KISS, began work on their most ambitious project to date. Following the modest success of their "live" record, ALIVE! , the band sought help from production wizard, Bob Ezrin, to take their music and career to the next level and the results speak for themselves. Let's talk KISS, Destroyer!

Known Eurovision 1974 winners and tax dodging fashion icons, Agnetha, Björn, Benny, and Anni-Frid, have, as their 1975 album title implies, arrived. Lets talk ABBA, Arrival!

Possibly the worst thing to ever happen to Joe Walsh and enemy to Urban Achiever's everywhere, The Eagles, released their 26x platinum (stateside) definitive statement in December of 1976. It is considered by many to be one of the best albums of all time. Let's talk The Eagles, Hotel California!

The story of a man, his basement recordings, and the record label he tricked into putting them out. Let’s talk Boston, Boston!

Joni Mitchell continues to expand her career into jazz / folk with a young Jaco Pastorius in a wonderful and "mature" album. Lets talk Joni Mitchell Hejia

Only a man as gifted as David Bowie can eat nothing but peppers and cocaine completely forgetting he created a classic album. Let's talk David Bowie Station to Station

John Cale of The Velvet Underground produces a teen band that sounds like their music was beamed to them from the future. Lets talk The Modern Lovers, The Modern Lovers!

The John Cougar Mellencamp of Gainsville. The Bob Seger of the Swamp. Maybe that only good thing to ever come out of Florida, Tom Petty, was one of America's greatest song writers ever; full-stop. Thirteen studio albums with The Heartbreakers. Three as a solo artist. A couple with The Traveling Wilburys. More platinum and gold status recordings than you can shake a stick at! EIGHT Saturday Night Live appearances, and a GD SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW. His influence on rock music CANNOT be over stated. So why is it that this limey nightmare of a tome only giving us one (and not even his best) album? Let's talk Tom Petty, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers!

The book delivers an outstanding work of art by Curtis Mayfield that is completely of time and yet, sadly, ours as well. Let's talk Curtis Mayfield, There's No Place Like America Today.

Sporting six members and yet, somehow, still two elements shy of summoning a Captain Planet, Earth Wind and Fire, wrote a great soundtrack to an awful film... of which they also starred. In the immortal words of record producer Coleman Buckmaster: "They're just gonna keep cranking out that same kind of garbage. Right now the idea is to have me produce fast-buck bubblegum shit. Then when they think the drug supplies are loosening up, then they tell me to produce some music for kids to freak out by." Let's talk Earth Wind and Fire, That's the Way of the World!

"It was the time of the preacher, in the year of 01 Now the preachin' is over and the lesson's begun" Lets talk Willie Nelson, Red Headed Stranger!

345 Queen - A Night at the Opera

Five songs, forty four minutes and eleven seconds of rock n roll perfection. Let's talk Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here!

Cultural icon, friend to Robert Mapplrthorpe and progenitor of the French Tuck, Patti Smith, went and made the first ever punk rock record with her debut album. During a two month residency at CBGB w/ Television, Smith and her band got solid traction in the New York scene, eventually catching the ear of an industry exec who signed them to Arista Records. Once signed, the band headed into the studio, got John Cale on board to produce, and in a month's time, made music history in the early Fall of 1975. It's a seminal work, a must listen, and one of the most important albums ever pressed to wax... ...some of us are here for it. Let's talk Patti Smith, Horses!

Uncle Robert is back and he is feeling all the things. Coming off an early 1974 tour with The Band, Dylan began an affair with a Columbia Records employee, took some art classes and, more or less, began the ending of his union with then wife, Sara Dylan. Hashed out on his Minnesota farm with mistress in tow and recorded in the fall of 1974, the subsequent seventeen songs may well be the most intimately autobiographical accounting of a marriage falling apart ever put to tape. Let's talk Bob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks!

The best part of Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young but always getting fourth billing, Neil Young, continues heading right into the ditch with his sixth studio album. Recorded in 1973 but released in 1975, Tonight's the Night finds Neil in full on grief and mourning following the deaths of Crazy Horse guitarist, Danny Whiten, and friend/roadie Bruce Berry. The songs were written and recorded in the few months following those tragic events. It is both a bummer and beautiful. Let's talk Neil Young, Tonight's the Night!

R.D Burman’s musical contribution to Indian cinema cannot be overstated. He has 331 scores to his name and the soundtrack to Shalimar absolutely rules. The book delivers a singular gem we’d never have heard other wise. Let’s talk R.D Burman, The Shalimar Soundtrack!

"So horny the crack of dawn better watch out for me."

On this seventh studio outing, Canadian treasure and best artist to come out of the folk scene, Joni Mitchell, continues the domination of her contemporaries. Beating Paul Simon to the world music biz by ELEVEN YEARS, AND being the first commercially released album featuring a sample w/ Jungle Line, the record’s influence cannot be overstated. Let’s talk Joni Mitchell, The Hissing of Summer Lawns!

In 1975, a middle aged singer teamed up with a murderer to make a record that was only released in the U.K. Lets talk Dion, Born to Be With You!

The once and future duchess of country music, Emmylou Harris, suffers nary a sophomore slump with this second solo outing. The backing band is great, her takes are solid, and the live tracks are solid gold. Let's talk Emmylou Harris, Pieces of the Sky!

"woah ah oh woah, mmm mm m mmmmmmm, huh huh ha ha oh o woah, wah ha ho ho oh oohhhhhh, mmm mm m mmmmmmm, woah ah oh woah, woah ah oh woah, wah ah ha ah woah ohhhhhh" - The Boss 1975 Lets talk Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run!

If you like roots reggae you're gonna dig this record. Let's talk Burning Spear, Marcus Garvey!

Known left-handed guitarist with god given ass, David Bowie, continues his musical chameleon ways this time going the blue eyed/ plastic soul direction. It’s rad, but of the seven Bowie records in the book, is it required listening? Let’s talk David Bowie, Young Americans!

Known drug enthusiasts sporting at least one Sexual Predator, Aerosmith, wrote an album in 1975. One thing we can all agree on, it’s no Pump. Let’s talk Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic!

This album is a towering work of improvisational jazz and a testament to being a goddamn professional. Lets talk Keith Jarrett, The Köln Concert!

The winds of change are blowing in 1975. Punk Rock is climbing out of it's primordial ooze. Funk is morphing into dance floor bangers. ... and Led Zeppelin decides to release a double album? Let's talk Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti!

Spelled Neu! but pronounced Neu!, in 1974 Neu! found themselves at a creative impasse. Michael Rother wanted to explore ambient soundscapes while Klaus Dinger was interested in writing rock anthems. With the help of their long time producer, Conny Plank, the two pulled the original Speaker Box/Love Below and released this timeless classic before disbanding for ten years. Let's talk Neu!, Neu! '75!

With their vast financial holdings, they could have been basking in the sun in Florida. Lucky for us, The Dictators' hobby bestowed upon us this 1975 underselling power trash classic! Let's talk The Dictators, Go Girl Crazy!

... and now dear listener, we have arrived in our present. Recorded in the Spring of 2020, this is the first of our quarantine episodes. Do bear with us as we learned how to interact remotely... With that out of the way: Painter of soundscapes and captain of our hearts, Brian Eno, begins his transition from glam rocker to ambient composer. Using the oblique strategies cards and assembling a who's who of instrumentalists, Eno produced a landmark album that's influence is still being felt 45 years hence. Let's talk Brian Eno, Another Green World!

Known trust fund baby and drug enthusiast, Gram Parsons', final outing may not be his best but its a helluva send off. Let's talk Gram Parsons (with Emmylou Harris?), Grievous Angel!

Former ambulatory former drummer of Soft Machine, Robert Wyatt, found grace in his fall from a four story window which left him paralyzed from the waist down. By his own estimation, had it not been for the accident, his hard partying ways would have been the death of him During the long recovery period that followed, Wyatt thought out all the new arrangements for the tracks that would be used on his first solo record. Let's talk Robert Wyatt, Rock Bottom!

Bob Marley and the Wailers' seventh album contains their best know song but probably not the version you've heard. Upon it's release, Natty Dread received rave reviews form critics, praising Marley for his writing prowess. The album is notably thinner sounding that it's predecessors, due in no small part to the departure of both Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh from the group. That said, let's yell at some cops for not knowing who our dad is and talk Bob Marley and the Wailers, Natty Dread!

Randy Newman’s best album is as astounding and challenging today as when it dropped 47 years ago. The opening track (Rednecks) pushes more buttons now than when it was released not because we are a more sensitive generation of listeners, but because change of it’s subject matter has been glacial if any at all. That said, let’s talk Randy Newman, Good Old Boys!

Steely Dan went into the studio in 1973 as a quintet and by 1974 were two piece. The subsequent album produced their highest charting single and received unanimous praise from critics. Let's talk Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic!

"I guess you guys aren't ready for that. yet. But your kids are gonna love it." - M. Mcfly Gene Clark went into the studio with some big ideas and a brand new cocaine habit. 8 songs and one hundred thousand dollars later, he left; scorned by his label, estranged from his family, lambasted by critics, and dejected. It wouldn't be until well after his death in 1991 that No Other would receive the posthumous praise is justly deserves. On that somber note, let's talk Gene Clark, No Other!

I dunno, some cutsie rhyming couplets involving opossum and awesome? Let’s talk George Jones, The Grand Tour!

Model train enthusiast and known godfather to grunge, Neil Young, transcendently continues ditchward with this melancholy masterpiece. Recorded after Tonight’s The Night but released before, it’s a beautiful continuation of his staggering 70s output. Let’s talk Neil Young, On The Beach!

How best to describe this band... Self-aware pop? Art-pop? Nerd-rock? Dunno, but we like it! Let's talk 10cc, Sheet Music!

Brain May duels himself using a circuit bent echoplex and that’s just on the first song! Let’s talk Queen, Sheer Heart Attack!

It's Black History Month , everybody! Forty seven years after it's release and here we are, listening to Winter In America, during winter in America, and this country is still a racist dumpster fire. Doesn't have to be, though. Call racism out when you see it. Spend monies at black owned businesses. Get in the streets. Let's talk the genius of Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson's, Winter In America!

The book delivers an absolute MUST HEAR before shedding this mortal coil. Let's talk Richard and Linda Thompson, I Want to See The Bright Lights Tonight!

The real Crime of The Century is this lesser Super Tramp album pushing out the 4x platinum selling, "flawlessly-played and -produced late 70s transatlantic soft rock" classic, Breakfast In America. Let's tuck in to Super Tramp, Crime of The Century!

Sparks > everything else. Documentary coming soon!! Let's talk Kimono My House!

Ridley Scott soundtrack composers and kosmische pioneers, Tangerine Dream, bought Keith Richard's old Moog modular and in the process reading the manual (more or less) created a masterpiece. Let's talk Phaedra!

Brian Eno bids adieu and Bryan Ferry gets the sound he was always looking for on Roxy Music's 4th outing, Country Life. Come for the album cover, stay for a really rad record.

ere we are! Born to be kings! And stoked to be talking 'bout Queen! This album is a ripper, let's get into Queen II!!

Joni Mitchell is a goddamn treasure. Let's talk Court and Spark!

Van the man is back, baaaaaaaaabbbbbbbbyyyy! Holy shit, this double live record hit us like a side of beef. Its not the stuffed with cocaine, turkey, and slathered in gravy Van of a few year later but Van at the very top of his game. An absolute MUST LISTEN and simply one of the best live performances ever put put to wax. Lets talk Van Morrison, Its Too Late to Stop Now!

Kraftwerk has arrived in the book!! Autobahn represents Kraftwerk bringing their "factory music" concept into actuality. How many times can Rob say "at that particular point in time" in one episode? The answer may surprise you. Lets talk Kraftwerk!

Known cocaine enthusiast and idol to dentists worldwide, Eric Clapton, is back on his old bullshit. Let's talk 461 Ocean Boulevard.

Stevie Wonder cannot be stopped. Coming hot on the heels of his Album of The Year win for Innervisions, Stevie pulls a double with Fulfillingness First Finale. Bare witness the continued ascension of an icon.

Robert Christgau in 1974 referred to this album as "a waste". However! Given time, commonsense, two ears, and a 2001 re-release on David Burn's record label; Shuggie Otis' Inspiration Information finally gets the attention and respect it deserves. Self-produced, almost exclusively self-tracked, borrowing from funk, psych, soul, and lounge; this album stands as testament to Shug's singular vision.

The end of an era for Genesis becomes the end of Genesis in the book ,and some of us aren't feeling it. Let's talk the weirdness that is: Genesis, The lamb Lies Down on Broadway

Pretty sure the working title for this record was: Boomer Dad Music For Well Lit Garages. Birch, Ben, Ann, Rob, and Jon talk the first record ever put out by Zeppelin's record label: Bad Company, Bad Company

Known Yamaha DX-7 enthusiast and self-described "non-musician", Brian Eno, brings us his solo debut record, Here Comes The Warm Jets. Coming hot on the heels of leaving Roxy Music but before starting to paint with sound, this record threads the needle of glam and experimental all while indicating his future musical trajectory; surprising absolutely no one, it rules. Lets talk Eno!

EPISODE 300!!!!!!! Who better to bring us 3/10ths the way through this project than a bunch of wasted dudes dressed as beautiful ladies being produced by Todd Rundgren ? Is this punk? Lets tuck into New York Dolls, New York Dolls!

Known brothers named Isely and varied cousins, Isely Brothers bring the thunder with their 11th album. Blood harmonies, blood bass, a 17 year old guitar prodigy; suffice it to say, this album cooks. Rob, Ben, Birch, and Jon talk 3 + 3

This album absolutely shreds and we feel sorry for you if you disagree. Let's talk Iggy and The Stooges, Raw Power!

Hello! Hooray! It's good to hear more, better Alice Copper being represented in this book! Let's talk Alice Cooper, Billion Dollar Babies!

WHAAAAAA?! The crew finds out about a brand new (to them) glam rock band, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band! The book delivers a very happy surprise and most of us are here for it, mime guitarist and all.

In the summer of 73, known vegetarian and former professional bassist, Paul McCartney and wife Linda (henceforth known as McCartney squared) booked studio time in Lagos, Nigeria for the recording of Wings' third album. Mere days before recording was to take place, both the drummer and guitarist yelled "Wings suuuuuccckkks" and quit the band. With no time to hire new lackeys, McCartney squared  decided they would do it themselves. Gather round, children, to hear this tale of woe Rich people bitching about studio conditions in a war-torn country. Knife-point robbery of baubles, riches, and the lesser valuable lyrics/demos. Potential heatstroke. Ginger Baker playing a can full of gravel on Picasso's Last Words (Drink To Me). And so much more... Jon, Ben, Solange, Rob & Birch discuss McCartney's best output since The Beatles imploded.

Tres Hombres is the third record from ZZ Top (the longest running rock n roll act of all time). It may lack in Legs and cheap sunglasses but still, we found it to be a passable... Kidding, y'all. This is one of the greatest records of all time! Come for the amazing tunes, stay for the gatefold There is an amazing documentary that came about them you should check out too. annnnnd since we are link crazy today and refuse to stop talking about them, go check out The Coke Dares

Stevie Wonder continues (or begins depending on what jerk is talking) what is the greatest back to back run of recordings ever put to wax with, Innervisions.  This album of the year winner has everything; weird whole tone solos, macking on ladies using fake Spanish,  a golden lady , and the continually prescient and horribly sad tale of a black man getting framed by dirty cops. Rob, Birch, Ben, Solange, and Jon discuss.

Pink Floyd may have better albums than Dark Side of the Moon, but no other record defines them quite as well as this one.

Waylon had always been looking, perhaps unintentionally, for a common ground between country and rock, and Shaver's songs -- sketching an outlaw stance with near defiance, borrowing rock attitude to create the hardest country tunes imaginable

Can't Buy a Thrill became an unexpected hit, and as a response, Donald Fagen became the group's full-time lead vocalist, and he and Walter Becker acted like Steely Dan was a rock & roll band for the group's second album, Countdown to Ecstasy.

It was designed to be a blockbuster and it was spilling over two LPs, which was all the better to showcase every element of John's spangled personality. It is good but is it double album good?

Patti Smith was enthusiastic in her review : "Blasphemy even the gods smile on. Rock and roll for the skull. A very noble concept. Past present and tomorrow in one glance. Understanding through musical sensation. Todd Rundgren is preparing us for a generation of frenzied children who will dream in animation."

Mike Oldfield's groundbreaking album Tubular Bells is arguably the finest conglomeration of off-centered instruments concerted together to form a single unique piece. A variety of instruments are combined to create an excitable multitude of rhythms, tones, pitches, and harmonies that all fuse neatly into each other, resulting in an astounding plethora of music. - Mike DeGagne

All the Young Dudes actually brought Mott the Hoople success, but you wouldn't know that from its sequel, Mott. Ian Hunter's songs are a set of road tales fraught with exhaustion, disillusionment, and dashed dreams, all told with a wry sense of humor so evident on Mott's earlier work. -AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

I began to feel that I had been spending so much time exploring the upper atmosphere of music and the more ethereal kind of far-out spacey stuff. Now there was this need to take some more of the earth and to feel a little more tethered; a connection to the earth. ... I was beginning to feel that we (the sextet) were playing this heavy kind of music, and I was tired of everything being heavy. I wanted to play something lighter. — Hancock's sleeve notes: 1997 CD reissue

Coming on the heels of the cut-and-paste sound-collage schizophrenia of The Faust Tapes, Faust IV seems relatively subdued and conventional, though it's still a far cry from what anyone outside the German avant-garde rock scene was doing.

On Roxy Music's debut, the tensions between Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry propelled their music to great, unexpected heights, and for most of the group's second album, For Your Pleasure, the band equals, if not surpasses, those expectations.

The album was recorded over eight days and features instrumental contributions by bassist Danny Thompson and members of Fairport Convention.[4][5] "Solid Air", the title track, was dedicated to a friend of Martyn's, Nick Drake, who would die of an antidepressant overdose 18 months after the album was released. - wikipedia

Serving as Gaye's first venture into the funk genre and romance-themed music, Let's Get It On incorporates smooth soul, doo-wop, and quiet storm. It has been noted by critics for its sexually suggestive lyrics, and was cited by one writer as "one of the most sexually charged albums ever recorded". - Wikipedia

Genesis proved that they could rock on Foxtrot but on its follow-up Selling England by the Pound they didn't follow this route, they returned to the English eccentricity of their first records, which wasn't so much a retreat as a consolidation of powers. - AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Listeners felt the Berlin album was either a work or macabre genius or a an aural pit of despair - there was not much middle ground. As for critics, the underground press generally loved it, while the mainstream rock magazines trashed it. Lou Reed is trying something different.

On Future Days, the band foregrounds the ambient elements they had begun exploring on previous efforts, dispensing largely with traditional rock song structures and instead "creating hazy, expansive soundscapes dominated by percolating rhythms and evocative layers of keys.

One of John Cale's very finest solo efforts, Paris 1919 is also among his most accessible records, one which grows in depth and resonance with each successive listen. - AllMusic Review by Jason Ankeny

Space Ritual is an excellent document of Hawkwind's classic lineup, underscoring the group's status as space rock pioneers. As the quintessential "people's band," Hawkwind carried '60s countercultural idealism into the '70s, gigging constantly, playing wherever there was an audience, and even playing for free on five consecutive days outside the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival.

Catch a Fire was the major label debut for Bob Marley and the Wailers, and it was an international success upon its release in 1973. Although Bob Marley may have been the main voice, every member of the Wailers made valuable contributions and they were never more united in their vision and sound.

Larks' Tongues in Aspic showed several significant changes in King Crimson's sound. Having previously relied on saxophone and flute as significant melodic and textural instruments, the band had replaced them with a single violin. This is Prog-jazz-metal-rock that gets us going and was a delightful surprise.

Ziggy Stardust wrote the blueprint for David Bowie's hard-rocking glam, and Aladdin Sane essentially follows the pattern, for both better and worse. A lighter affair than Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane is actually a stranger album than its predecessor, buoyed by bizarre lounge-jazz flourishes from pianist Mick Garson and a handful of winding, vaguely experimental songs. -Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Incredible Bongo Band was the brain child of prolific film and record producer Michael Viner, put together in 1972 to supplement the soundtrack to the virtually anonymous B-Movie film The Thing With Two Heads. They went from a loose studio collective to an instrumental pop covers consortium, interpreting classics of the day in their own inimitable percussion-heavy fashion. Viner recorded 'The Incredible Bongo Band' at MGM studios during down time assembling line-ups from whoever was available at the time. Apache, originally made famous by The Shadows, is simply legendary in the worlds of dance music and hip hop. One of the most sampled tracks of all time it has been used by Nas, Beastie Boys, Moby, Kanye West, Sugarhill Gang, Jay-Z, Aphex Twin, DJ Shadow, Goldie, Double Dee & Steinski, Faith Evans, Ultramagnetic MC’s, Leaders Of The New School, UNKLE, IBM Nation and DJ Spinna, The Bizzie Boyz, Schoolly D, LL Cool J, 2 Live Crew, 4 Hero, Godfather Don, Diamond D, Luke Vibert, Sway & King Tech, Rebel MC, to name a few... Apache was a staple for the likes of Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash as they invented the art of DJing at the Bronx block parties of the ‘70s. Over the years it has become a hip hop and breakers anthem and is revered as the break of all original breaks, with the rhythms of this LP even helping to coin the term 'breakbeat'

Lynyrd Skynyrd's fan base continued to grow rapidly throughout 1973, largely due to their opening slot on the Who's Quadrophenia tour in the United States. Their 1974 follow-up, Second Helping, featuring King, Collins and Rossington all collaborating with Van Zant on the songwriting, cemented the band's breakthrough. Its single, "Sweet Home Alabama"

In the spring of 1971, nine years into their existence as the world’s greatest rock & roll band, the Rolling Stones learned to their great dismay that they were not only broke but would also have to leave England to avoid paying high British income tax. They decamped to the French Riviera and began recording their new album in the basement of Villa Nellcôte, Keith Richards‘ impressive mansion by the sea. The result was the Stones’ only double album, the classic Exile on Main Street. Rock out to this classic album!

A wonderful album showcasing Green's dynamic soul singer whispers, animated cries, and riffing to enhance his already stirring delivery.  Prior to this album, Al Green never had a number one song. The title track, "Let's Stay Together," achieved that status and held it for nine consecutive weeks.

War's third album as an act separate from Eric Burdon was also far and away their most popular, the group's only long-player to top the pop charts. The culmination of everything they'd been shooting for creatively on their two prior albums, it featured work in both succinct pop-accessible idioms as well as challenging extended pieces such as the 13-minute "City, Country, City" and the title track, and encompassed not only soul and funk but elements of blues and psychedelia. - AllMusic Review by Bruce Eder

Described as a rock opera and also a loose concept album, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is about Bowie's titular alter ego Ziggy Stardust, a fictional androgynous bisexual rock star who acts as a messenger for extraterrestrial beings that would like to save the world but only have a limited time to do so.  The narrative of the story quick dissolves but our love of this album does not.

Papa was a rolling stone

School's Out catapulted Alice Cooper into the hard rock stratosphere, largely due to its timeless, all-time classic title track. But while the song became Alice's highest-charting single ever (reaching number seven on the U.S. charts) and recalled the brash, three-and-a-half-minute garage rock of yore, the majority of the album signaled a more complex compositional directional for the band.

Falling halfway between musical primitivism and art rock ambition, Roxy Music's eponymous debut remains a startling redefinition of rock's boundaries. Simultaneously embracing kitschy glamour and avant-pop, Roxy Music shimmers with seductive style and pulsates with disturbing synthetic textures. - AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

If any musical justification were needed for the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel, it could be found on this striking collection, Paul Simon's post-split debut. From the opening cut, "Mother and Child Reunion" (a Top Ten hit), Simon, who had snuck several subtle musical explorations into the generally conservative S&G sound, broke free. -AllMusic Review by William Ruhlmann

By 1970, Nick Drake had lost his passion for life and music. Island Records decided to stop paying him and he turned to prescription drugs and pot. His management said Drake smoked "unbelievable amounts of marijuana" and by 1974, the singer was completely out of the public eye. The last song Nick Drake wrote was called "Black Eyed Dog," supposedly written about Winston Churchill's description of depression. In 1974, Drake was found dead in his room at age 26, apparently from an overdose of antidepressant medication.

Buckley fans are split on this album but we aren't. There are plenty of  soul/ funk albums that would seem to be more appropriate than another Tim Buckley album that want's to be a Blaxploitation soundtrack. but that is what the book has.  "Tim Buckley: Greetings from L.A. (Warner Bros., 1972) Perverse as it may seem, Buckley's mannered, androgynous moan has real erotic appeal for some, and here it turns a trick. This is rock pornography if anything is, complete with whips, foot fetishes, meat racks, and salacious gasps, and while I wouldn't call the band hard-core, it definitely fills the groove." - Robert Christgau

Balance is the key element of the Eagles' self-titled debut album, a collection that contains elements of rock & roll, folk, and country, overlaid by vocal harmonies alternately suggestive of doo wop, the Beach Boys, and the Everly Brothers. - AllMusic Review by William Ruhlmann

The years have only been kind to the album considered David Ackles's masterpiece when it was released. Ackles combined an early '70s singer-songwriter sensibility with a theater music background that placed him as much in the tradition of Brecht-Weill and Jacques Brel as Bob Dylan. Not only are his songs fully realized, dramatic statements, but Ackles proves himself a warm, accomplished singer. When this album got no higher than #167 on the charts, Ackles's fans were heartbroken. Decades later, American Gothic remains one of those great albums that never found its audience. It waits to be rediscovered. - William Ruhlmann, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995

Buoyed by two U.K. number one singles in "Telegram Sam" and "Metal Guru," The Slider became T. Rex's most popular record on both sides of the Atlantic, despite the fact that it produced no hits in the U.S. The Slider essentially replicates all the virtues of Electric Warrior, crammed with effortless hooks and trashy fun.

From the Steven Stills website By 1972, what we call classic rock was pretty much peaking - though nobody at the time knew it. Except maybe Stephen Stills. The band and double-album he piloted and released that year—both named Manassas—now seem pivotal. Manassas brilliantly summed up the remarkable 1960s creative surge that revitalized rock's roots and encouraged experimentation just when it was at its crest.

After releasing two records during 1970-71, Stevie Wonder expanded his compositional palette with 1972's Talking Book to include societal ills as well as tender love songs, and so recorded the first smash album of his career.

It took the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band until this album to come up with a merger of rock and country music that worked for both sides and everyone involved. Not only did this album result in exposure to a new and wider audience for the likes of Mother Maybelle Carter, Roy Acuff, Earl Scruggs, Merle Travis, and others, but this was the first real country album that a lot of rock listeners under the age of 30 ever heard.

After two albums, Todd Rundgren had one hit and a burgeoning cult following, plus growing respect as a hitmaking record producer. There's no question he was busy, but as it turns out, all this work only scratched the surface of his ambition. He had decided to abandon the Runt pretense and recorded a full double album by himself .

1972 saw Brazil controlled by a repressive military regime, but it was also a watershed moment for Brazilian pop music, or as it’s often called, MPB. Tropicália heroes Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso had found success outside of Brazil and had already stirred the flames of inspiration for the corner music collective and people from the Minas Gerais state called Clube Da Esquina.

Home is where the music is , marked a sharp detour from Hugh Masekela’s more pop-oriented jazz records of the '60s. Masekela was chasing a different groove altogether. He was looking to create a very different kind of fusion, one that involved the rhythms and melodies of his native South Africa, and included the more spiritual, soul-driven explorations.

Being Lou Reed in 1972 was a raw deal: two years after walking away from one of the greatest and most influential bands in rock history, he found himself a penniless, strung-out wreck, with a career suddenly and seriously on the wane. To make matters worse, his self-titled solo debut, released earlier that year, was a monumental flop, a hastily thrown together collection of second rate re-recordings of Velvet Underground outtakes that lacked the intensity and focus of his earlier music. Reed was at a crossroads, unsure of which direction to take his newfound independence.

Close to the Edge comprised just three tracks that represented the musical, lyrical, and sonic culmination of all that Yes had worked toward over the past five years. We are now in heavy prog.

Recorded over three nights in August 1972, Deep Purple's Made in Japan was the record that brought the band to headliner status in the U.S. and elsewhere, and it remains a landmark in the history of heavy metal music.

Crank the volume up and the whole world will be going crazee all over again.  A very fun record that inspired everything from , hard rock, to glam to 80's hair metal.

Mayfield, along with several other soul and funk musicians, spread messages of hope in the face of oppression, pride in being a member of the black race and gave courage to a generation of people who were demanding their human rights, without abandoning the struggle for equality. He has been compared to Martin Luther King, Jr. for making a lasting impact in the civil rights struggle with his inspirational music. This album works not only as a soundtrack but as a stand alone album.

Graham Nash -- of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young -- has a story about his friend, Neil Young, that has been almost too perfect to believe for nearly three decades. As the myth goes, Nash was at Young's ranch just south of San Francisco when Young asked him if he wanted to hear something. (That something would become Young's now famous 1972 "Harvest" album, which features the track "Heart of Gold.") Nash, of course, said yes and suggested going into Young's studio. That wasn't Young's plan. "He said, 'Get into the rowboat,'" Nash explained on NPR's Fresh Air in 2013. "I said, 'Get into the rowboat?' He said, 'Yeah, we’re going to go out into the middle of the lake.'" The two row out on the lake, with Nash assuming Young brought a cassette player and headphones with him. "Oh, no," said Nash on NPR. "He has his entire house as the left speaker and his entire barn as the right speaker. And I heard 'Harvest' coming out of these two incredibly large loud speakers louder than hell. It was unbelievable. Elliot Mazer, who produced 'Harvest,' came down to the shore of the lake and he shouted out to Neil, 'How was that, Neil?'" As Nash explained, "I swear to God, Neil Young shouted back, 'More barn!'"

Most rock & roll bands are a tightly wound unit that developed their music through years of playing in garages and clubs around their hometown. Steely Dan never subscribed to that aesthetic. As the vehicle for the songwriting of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, Steely Dan defied all rock & roll conventions. -Artist Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Often overlooked by the general public and stories of studio insanity can't keep this album from showing Black Sabbath create something interesting.. "The recording was plagued with problems, many due to substance abuse. In the studio, the band regularly had speaker boxes full of cocaine delivered.[2] It’s no secret the band consumed Scarface-like piles of powder and other substances at the time Ward said. There was one point where Ozzy had spray-painted my private parts,And then I read on the spray paint it was poisonous and do not apply to the skin, so in fear of my private parts, I panicked and went kind of crazy.” (Osbourne, in his 2010 memoir I Am Ozzy, wrote that it was Iommi who spray-painted Ward's junk.)

A classic record that went unnoticed on it's release but has seen a huge influence on artist with each re-release. Sit back crank it up and enough this power pop masterpiece.

Led Zeppelin's fourth album, Black Sabbath's Paranoid, and Deep Purple's Machine Head have stood the test of time as the Holy Trinity of English hard rock and heavy metal, serving as the fundamental blueprints followed by virtually every heavy rock & roll band since the early '70s. -  AllMusic summery by Eduardo Rivadavia

Randy Newman's third studio album, finds the singer/songwriter at the beginning of a great career with a beautiful blend of orchestrated pop,  stripped-down insight and humor.  You listen to Randy and you are going to learn something.

Bowie has arrived with Hunky Dory, a kaleidoscopic array of pop styles, tied together only by Bowie's sense of vision: a sweeping, cinematic mélange of high and low art, ambiguous sexuality, kitsch, and class. Another classic.  This is going to be a good year.

The most iconic band of the U.K. glam rock scene of the '70s, T. Rex were the creation of Marc Bolan, who started out as a cheerfully addled acolyte of psychedelia and folk-rock until he turned to swaggering rock & roll with boogie rhythm and a tricked-up fashion sense. For a couple years, T. Rex were the biggest band in England and a potent cult item in the United States. - Artist Biography by Mark Deming .  This album defined many of our parties and still does today. Such a  great time.

When the Beatles famously said Nilsson was their favorite artist. He went from a great songwriter to a world renown stardom. Nilsson was one of the few major pop-rock recording artists of his era to achieve significant commercial success without ever performing major public concerts or undertaking regular tours. The craft of his songs and the defiant attitude he projected remains a touchstone for later generations of indie rock musicians. We talk to the biggest Nilsson fan that I know and I feel like she could be in the running for biggest fan in the Midwest!

One of the most celebrated singer/songwriters of his generation, John Prine is a master storyteller whose work is often witty and always heartfelt, frequently offering a sly but sincere reflection of his Midwestern roots. While Prine's songs are often rooted in folk and country flavors, he's no stranger to rock & roll, R&B, and rockabilly, and he readily adapts his rough but expressive voice to his musical surroundings. And though Prine has never scored a major hit of his own, his songs have been recorded by a long list of well-respected artists, including Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson, George Strait, Bette Midler, Paul Westerberg, and Dwight Yoakam. Artist Biography by Jason Ankeny

Clark took time to hone his songwriting to its barest essentials. The focus on these tracks is intense, they are taut and reflect his growing obsession with country music. I think it sounds a little too much like Bob Dylan, but as far as influences you could do worst.

While they first rose to fame in San Francisco in the late '60s, they had little interest in the psychedelic music that was all the rage in the Bay Area and instead focused on pure roots rock and Rhythm and Blues. It's simple straightforward and fun as hell.

There are few records that feel like a never-ending party like A Nod.  When you consider that the band also had Long Player to their credit and had their hands all over Every Picture in 1971, it's hard to imagine another band or singer having a year more extraordinary as this.

Originally released in 1971, this LP had Fela Kuti solidifying the format that would take him into international visibility in the years to come: extended tracks with grooves that mixed African and funk rhythms, punctuated by rudimentary lyrics.  -  AllMusic Review by Richie Unterberger We can't stop grooving to this album! its great.

One last great album for the troubled singer songwriter. This one cooks. She left $1500 in her will for a funeral party. It was held at The Lion's Share in San Anselmo, California, on October 26, 1971. The Grateful Dead performed.

What a crazy funky album. As the story goes, George Clinton, the leader of Funkadelic, told guitarist Eddie Hazel to imagine he was told his mother died and later on learned it was not true, this all under the influence of LSD. Once Clinton realized how powerful the solo sounded he faded the bass played by Billy Bass Nelson and drums played by Tiki Fulwood out.

Joni Mitchell provides us with an amazing introspective album. The album employs sparse musical arrangements leaning heavily towards the folk genre, with Mitchell playing acoustic guitar, piano, or dulcimer as the primary instrument to accompany her vocals. Lyrically, each of the songs on Blue hone in on a specific feeling, situation or, in many cases, a specific person. Beyond its many subsequent accolades, Blue was also a commercial success in its time, reaching #15 in the US and #3 in the UK. With the album’s success, Mitchell decided to return to live touring and continued on to develop some of the most interesting music of her career.

Songs of Love and Hate captured Cohen in one of his finest hours as a songwriter, and the best selections rank with the most satisfying work of his career. If Songs of Love and Hate isn't Cohen's best album, it comes close enough to be essential to anyone interested in his work. Brilliant.

One of the seminal documents of the progressive rock era, a record that made its way into the collections of millions of high-school kids who never heard of Modest Mussorgsky and knew nothing of Russia's Nationalist "Five." It does some violence to Mussorgsky, but Pictures at an Exhibition is also the most energetic and well-realized live release in Emerson, Lake & Palmer's catalog, and it makes a fairly compelling case for adapting classical pieces in this way. - AllMusic Review by Bruce Eder

Rod Stewart perfected his blend of hard rock, folk, and blues on his masterpiece, Every Picture Tells a Story and it's hard to deny the easy going rocker Maggie May.

Histoire de Melody Nelson is arguably Serge Gainsbourg's most coherent and perfectly realized studio album, with the lush arrangements which characterize the majority of his work often mixed here with funky rhythm lines which underscore the musky allure of the music.

This album is sheer perfection. The album was a commercial and critical success and is Led Zeppelin's best-selling, shipping over 37 million copies worldwide. It is one of the best-selling albums in the US, while critics have regularly placed it highly on lists of the greatest albums of all time.

Prog is here. "Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 1970 eponymous LP was only a rehearsal. It hit hard because of the novelty of the act (allegedly the first supergroup in rock history), but felt more like a collection of individual efforts and ideas than a collective work. All doubts were dissipated by the release of Tarkus in 1971. Side one of the original LP is occupied by the 21-minute title epic track, beating both Genesis' "Supper's Ready" and Yes' "Close to the Edge" by a year." -AllMusic Review by François Couture Prog nerds come alive

"Don McLean's second album, American Pie is dominated by its title track, a lengthy, allegorical history of rock & roll that topped the singles chart putting the LP at number one. "American Pie" has remained as much a cultural touchstone as a song, sung by everyone from Garth Brooks to Madonna while the record itself has earned a registered three-million plays on U.S. radio stations." -  AllMusic Review by William Ruhlmann We know it's a song you must here but the entire album?

The title song, "Coat of many colors" about Dolly growing up poor is good enough to make this record part of the 1001 albums you must hear, but then she proceeds to craft smart and insightful collection of songs that has all the making of a classic album.  Rob and Ben talk about the time they went to Dollywood in the middle of the night.

Trading the cinematic aspirations of Tumbleweed Connection for a tentative stab at prog rock, Elton John and Bernie Taupin delivered another excellent collection of songs with Madman Across the Water. Like its two predecessors, Madman Across the Water is driven by the sweeping string arrangements of Paul Buckmaster, who gives the songs here a richly dark and haunting edge. -AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

We get some first time listeners of this album and they are very very happy. Can might be the most underrated band from the 70's and this album is not merely one of the best Krautrock albums of all time, but is probably one of the best albums ever, period.

The final album with Jim Morrison in the lineup is by far their most blues-oriented, and the singer's poetic ardor is undiminished, though his voice sounds increasingly worn and craggy on some numbers.  The seven-minute title track was a car-cruising classic that celebrated both the glamour and seediness of Los Angeles; the other long cut, the brooding, jazzy "Riders on the Storm," was the group at its most melodic and ominous. -AllMusic Review by Richie Unterberger

Following the success of their tour to support their previous album, The Yes Album (1971), the band regrouped in London to work on a follow-up. Early into the sessions, keyboardist Tony Kaye was fired over his reluctance to learn more synthesizers and was replaced with Rick Wakeman of the Strawbs, whose experience with a wider range of keyboards expanded the group's sound. "Roundabout" has become one of the best-known Yes songs; it has been performed at nearly every concert since its release

Wrapped up in a mess of contradictions, Surf's Up defined the Beach Boys' tumultuous career better than any other album.

Lennon is back for another great album with it's iconic song for all the dreamers. Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... Aha-ah... Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion, too Imagine all the people Living life in peace... You... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world... You... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one

With its offhand mixture of decadence, roots music, and outright malevolence, Sticky Fingers set the tone for the rest of the decade for the Stones.

Forty-five years ago, on March 11th, 1971, the Allman Brothers Band took the stage at Bill Graham’s vaunted Fillmore East Theater in New York for the first of a series of shows that are among the most celebrated in rock history. The Allmans weren’t even supposed to be the headliners.

Of the many wonderful blaxpoitation soundtracks to emerge during the early '70s, Shaft certainly deserves mention as not only one of the most lasting but also one of the most successful. We can dig it!  At the 1972 Grammy Awards, "Theme from Shaft" won the awards for Best Engineered Recording, Non-Classical and Best Instrumental Arrangement and at the Academy Awards that year, Hayes became the first African-American to win an Oscar for a non-acting category when "Theme from Shaft" won the award for Best Original Song.

This album will give you chills. Amazing!  It is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. In the United States, it has been certified Diamond by the RIAA with more than 10 million copies sold.[3] It received four Grammy Awards in 1972, including Album of the Year

By 1970, the Who had obtained significant critical and commercial success branching out to one of the first rock opera’s Tommy but they had started to become detached from their original youthful mod/rocker audience with their heady ambitions projects. The group had also started to drift apart from manager Kit Lambert, owing to his preoccupation with their label, Track Records. After they had been touted as one if not the best live band and releasing a live album to back it up, Pete Townshend in particular recognized that they needed to do something new.

Despite the hit single, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," the album showed the limits of the Bee Gees' talents as songwriters and of their appeal as album artists. We also figure out which one of the brothers we really have a problem with.

Their third time out proved the charm -- The Yes Album constituted a de facto second debut, introducing the sound that would carry them forward across the next decade or more. Prog is here. Prog is real.

The central theme of "What's Going On" and the album of the same name came from Marvin Gaye's own life. When his brother Frankie returned from Vietnam, Gaye noticed that his outlook had changed. He put himself in his brother's shoes and wrote a song that stands among the most tuneful works of consciousness-raising in American music. A masterpiece for Soul music

Having achieved great success with their 1969 album Stand! and performance at Woodstock, Sly & the Family Stone were due to have submitted an album of new recordings to Epic Records by 1970. However, Sly Stone missed several recording deadlines, worrying CBS executive Clive Davis, and a Greatest Hits album was released in an eighteen-month stretch during which the band released no new material, By 1970, Stone had become erratic and moody, missing nearly a third of the band's concert dates.A rift developed between Sly and the rest of the band, which led to drummer Gregg Errico's departure in early 1971. There’s a Riot goin’ on is Stone's darker, more conceptual work that was influenced by his drug use and the events that writer Miles Marshall Lewis called "the death of the sixties"; political assassinations, police brutality, the decline of the civil rights movement and social disillusionment.

one of four high-profile albums released by each member of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Youngin the wake of their chart-topping Déjà Vu album. There is a subtle beauty but also a lackadaisical approach.

Jethro Tull were a unique phenomenon in popular music history. Their mix of hard rock, folk melodies, blues licks, surreal, impossibly dense lyrics, and overall profundity defied easy analysis, but that didn't dissuade fans from giving them 11 gold and five platinum albums. At the same time, critics rarely took them seriously, and they were off the cutting-edge of popular music by the end of the '70s. But no record store in the country was complete without their 1971 classic Aqualung .

In the second half of 1967 and through to early 1968, when still part of Pink Floyd, Barrett's behavior became increasingly erratic and unpredictable. Many report having seen him on stage with the group during this period, strumming on one chord through an entire concert or not playing at all. We discussion why is this tortured artist is is viewed as both brilliant and terrible

An excellent record, Abraxas would be considered a marketing exec's worst nightmare. But at the dawn of the 1970s, this unorthodox mix of rock, jazz, salsa, and blues proved quite successful. Wonderful cover and yes , he later became famous for smooth.

McCartney has an endearingly ragged, homemade quality that makes even its filler and there is a lot of filler and ideas but maybe not complete songs.

When people use the term "singer/songwriter" (often modified by the word "sensitive") in praise or in criticism, they're thinking of James Taylor.  Although this singer songwriter is one of the best selling and most influence, we find some faults in the album and it's scattered approach that don't always seem to play to Taylor's strengths.

Producer Don Gallucci (of the Kingsmen) took the approach that the Stooges were a powerhouse live band, and their best bet was to recreate the band's live set with as little fuss as possible. That was the best idea as the Stooges never sounded more wild and raw!  We made it to Episode 200! Thank you!

John Barleycorn Must Die moved beyond the jamming that had characterized some of Traffic's earlier work to approach the emerging field of jazz-rock. And that helped the band to achieve its commercial potential; this became Traffic's first gold album but we aren't quite sure why.

After a long recover from Tuberculosis in 1968 Cat Stevens gives us Tea for the Tillerman. The story of a young man's search for spiritual meaning in a soulless class society he found abhorrent. He hadn't yet reached his destination, but he was confident he was going in the right direction, traveling at his own, unhurried pace.

So Long Arrrrrtttteeeeee!

Drawing on his backlog of unused compositions from the late Beatles era, Harrison crafted material that managed the rare feat of conveying spiritual mysticism without sacrificing his gifts for melody and grand, sweeping arrangements. Enhanced by Phil Spector's lush orchestral production and Harrison's own superb slide guitar, nearly every song is excellent.  We discuss if it's  a triple album or a double album with a bonus disc.

known for its loose and scrappy approach Rod Stewart's band members break out acoustic guitars and mandolins to play music that was never going to sound overly pretty because of the grit and gruff of Rod.  This is great first attempt for Rod but we all know the album that is going to really shine.

Soft Machine plunged deeper into jazz and contemporary electronic music on this pivotal release, which incited The Village Voice to call it a milestone achievement when it was released. We are surprised by how out there it gets while remaining somewhat accessible.  However Robert Wyatt vocals on "Moon in June" are terrible.

The prove that just because they can make an important artistic statement like Tommy that they are still one of the most uproariously exciting live band.  This was a crucial album to hold over the Mod rocking Who crowd till Who's Next arrives. If you want to know how to put on a good maximum R'n'B live show this should be your bible.

Shankar envisioned a musical form that blended Indian classical music with Western rock and electronic styles. Shankar's first album was one of the first to successfully explore the crossover of psychedelic rock with Indian music including simplified sitar covers of jumpin jack flash and light my fire . What sounds like a parody to use now was ahead of it's time.

Another Nick Drake album and more great tunes.

American Beauty eventually spawned the band's highest charting single -- "Truckin'," the greasy blues-rock tribute to nomadic counterculture -- but it also contained some of their most spiritual and open-hearted sentiments ever. While the Dead eventually amassed a following so devoted that following the band from city to city became the center of many people’s lives, the majority of the band's magic came in the boundless heights it reached in its live sets but rarely managed to capture in the studio setting. American Beauty is a categorical exception to this

Moondance found Morrison abandoning the abstract folk jazz compositions of Astral Weeks in favor of more formally composed songs, which he wrote and produced entirely himself. Its lively rhythm and blues/rock music was the style he would become most known for in his career. Van the man!

Deep Purple entering their classic Mark 2 lineup has decided to go full on Rock in this fun album.

On their first two albums, Led Zeppelin unleashed a relentless barrage of heavy blues and rockabilly riffs, but Led Zeppelin III provided the band with the necessary room to grow musically.

Neil Young continues his gold era as he pursues the country ballads of love lorned heartbreak in After the gold rush.

Paranoid was not only Black Sabbath's most popular record, it also stands as one of the greatest and most influential heavy metal albums of all time. This makes us rethink recording a second album so close to the first because this album rules!

One of the most hotly awaited second albums in history Déjà Vu lived up to its expectations and rose to number one on the charts. Those achievements are all the more astonishing given the fact that the group barely held together through the estimated 800 hours it took to record Déjà Vu and scarcely functioned as a group for most of that time.

The cliché about singer/songwriters is that they sing confessionals direct from their heart, but John Lennon exploded the myth behind that cliché, as well as many others, on his first official solo record.

Stephan Stills created a number one hit with "Love the One You're With." but this album leaves a lot to be desired with the amount of talent that was included on the album including the presence of Hendrix and Clapton on two cuts.

This second album saw the carpenters come into their own with Richard’s light, airy melodies and meticulously crafted, clean arrangements that appealed to a wide variety of audiences. Karen Carpenter's calm, crystal bell like voice was distinctive and fit perfectly with the music. The result was a well crafted pop gem that gave them super stardom while at the same time confounded critics and the 1960’s rock n roll scensters.  Is it Too clean?  too pop?  Too soft?  We will discuss.

The Doors returned to crunching, straightforward hard rock on Morrison Hotel, an album that, despite yielding no major hit singles, returned them to critical favor with hip listeners.  For as much as they returned I don't know that the Doors were ever the same.

Black Sabbath's debut album is the birth of heavy metal as we now know it. Compatriots like Blue Cheer, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple were already setting new standards for volume and heaviness in the realms of psychedelia, blues-rock, and prog rock. Yet of these metal pioneers, Sabbath are the only one whose sound today remains instantly recognizable as heavy metal, even after decades of evolution in the genre. -AllMusic Review by Steve Huey-

The best of the "B" bands

One of the most revolutionary albums in jazz history to some.  We try and formulate our opinions for an album that is made to be all things and nothing at the same time.

Formed by guitarist/singer Eric Clapton with other former members of Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, in the spring of 1970. From late August to early October, they recorded the celebrated double album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs with guitarist Duane Allman sitting in. Powerful record but not everyone in the club is excited about more Clapton.

This album is a hit machine.

Hot Rats' genius lies in the way it fuses the compositional sophistication of jazz with rock's down-and-dirty attitude -- there's a real looseness and grit to the three lengthy jams. Frank is out there but some of the group don't know that they want to be there.  We also end with a Zappa True/False.

The album is sometimes called a "soundtrack to schizophrenia" and a "visionary solo effort," but became delegated to bargain bins shortly after its release in the spring of 1969. However, those who did hear it were instantly drawn into Spence's inimitable sonic surrealism.

The Stooges soon gained a reputation for their wild, primitive live performances. Pop, especially, became known for his outrageous onstage behavior—smearing his bare chest with hamburger meat and peanut butter, cutting himself with shards of glass, and flashing his genitalia to the audience. Pop is sometimes credited with the invention or popularization of stage diving.

Walker wasn't on the chart with his fourth album, but the result was probably his finest '60s LP.  The over blown production and his subversive non commercial friend lyrics stand by a relatively stripped-down approach that works in way that is unexpected.   It's hard to pinpoint what was or wasn't engaging about this album but we will try.

In the decades since its original release, more than one writer has declared Fairport Convention's Liege & Lief the definitive British folk-rock album. We are pleasantly surprised with this seminal Fairport Album.

Jews harp? Jaws harp? Juice harp? Leonard Cohen uses them on every track.

In the court of the crimson..........KING! so epic!

Kinks frontman Ray Davies constructed the concept album as the soundtrack to a Granada Television play and developed the storyline with novelist Julian Mitchell; however, the television programme was cancelled and never produced. The rough plot revolved around Arthur Morgan, a carpet-layer, who was based on Ray and guitarist Dave Davies' brother-in-law Arthur Anning. Come along as we sing along to the Kinks.

The Grateful Dead's fourth title was likewise their first extended concert recording. Spread over two LPs, Live/Dead introduced all to the world to what it was like to experience a dead show for better or worst.

Hot Buttered Soul set the precedent for how soul would evolve into a funky groove.  It remains an seminal record that many would consider the starting point for "baby making music".

After their breakout hit "get together" the Youngbloods moved to Northern California and started blending affective pop/rock melodies and lyrics with their good time jug band roots, the Youngbloods were instantly embraced by the already blossoming Bay Area music community, but they won't be embraced by our group.

Considered one of the greatest English folk bands of the 1960's  Fairport Convention drew upon traditional styles and combined them with contemporary sounds to great effect. News flash Rob doesn't like folk music.

Few debut albums can boast as consistently solid an effort as the self-titled Chicago Transit Authority (1969). Although this was ultimately the septet's first national exposure, the group was far from the proverbial "overnight sensation." Does being the tightest band make you the best?  Let's discuss.

By 1969, Tim Buckley seemed bored with traditional acoustic folk. Happy / Sad marked the beginning of Buckley's experimental period, incorporating elements of jazz by way of Lee Underwood’s – guitar, keyboards & David Friedman's vibraphone . Buckley also decided he wanted to take control of the songs and lyrics penning the entire album himself , and began to really use his voice with drawn out phasings so that they acted as another instrument blending into the songs instead of on top of the melodies. The album’s songs are a minimal tapestry that slowly draw the lister into Buckley mesmerizing visions about loneliness, love and loss.

"Stand!" is the pinnacle of Sly & the Family Stone's early work, a record that represents a culmination of the group's musical vision and accomplishment.

"Cloud Nine" is an album that would become one of the defining early funk examples, with songs that not only took Motown in a new direction, but helped to shape the genre as well, but only on the first half. The second half shows the temptations right back in their comfort zone, and that is not a bad thing.

Rather than try to capture their legendary on-stage energy in a studio, MC5 opted to record their first album during a live concert at their home base, Detroit's Grande Ballroom. From Brother J.C. Crawford's rabble-rousing introduction to the final wash on feedback on "Starship," Kick Out the Jams is one of the most powerfully energetic live albums ever made.

Recorded quickly during Led Zeppelin's first American tours, Led Zeppelin II provided the blueprint for all the heavy metal bands that followed it. Since the group could only enter the studio for brief amounts of time, most of the songs that compose II are reworked blues and rock & roll standards. Some of the group fe3els like it was a rushed album and doesn't have the same teeth as the first but still enjoyable.

The Band, the group's second album, was a more deliberate and even more accomplished effort, partially because the players had become a more cohesive unit, and partially because guitarist Robbie Robertson. The arrangements were simultaneously loose and assured, giving the songs a timeless appeal, while the lyrics continued to paint portraits of 19th century rural life.

Led Zeppelin had a fully formed, distinctive sound from the outset, as their eponymous debut illustrates. Taking the heavy, distorted electric blues of Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Cream to an extreme, Zeppelin created a majestic, powerful brand of guitar rock constructed around simple, memorable riffs and lumbering rhythms.

Without question, this follow-up to Quicksilver Messenger Service's self-titled debut release is the most accurate in portraying the band on vinyl in the same light as the group's critically and enthusiastically acclaimed live performances. The album is essentially centered around the extended reworkings of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?" and "Mona". The group finds most of the album boring, and uninspired with the exception of a few of the originals.

Upon first release, the Velvet Underground's self-titled third album must have surprised their fans nearly as much as their first two albums shocked the few mainstream music fans who heard them. After testing the limits of how musically and thematically challenging rock could be on Velvet Underground & Nico and White Light/White Heat, this 1969 release sounded spare, quiet, and contemplative, as if the previous albums documented some manic, speed-fueled party and this was the subdued morning after.

After a 14-year absence from Memphis, Elvis Presley returned to cut what was certainly his greatest album. The fact that From Elvis in Memphis came out as well as it did is something of a surprise, in retrospect

Hoping to reinvigorate her career and boost her credibility, Springfield signed with Atlantic Records, Home of soul greatest Dusty idolized such as Aretha Franklin. Although she was well versed in R&B and soul songs, she had never released an entire album of R&B material. It was there in American Sound Studios that dusty create one of her best albums.

Underrated in his own time Nick Drake had a resurgence after his passing at a young age. On this debut album Drake's lyrics capture a subtle poetry of emotion while his singing is soft, articulate and sometimes haunting.

For their next album Let it Bleed The stones would continue the return to the ragged blues rock songs of protest and misery but this time they would do away with any psydelic elements in favor of a country accent. And like the previous album the opening track shows that the Stones only sharpen their licks as gimme shelter sounds like a beautiful siren in the distance before a riotous explosion of guitar and share sets the political anthem on fire.

An unexpected album from the UK folk "supergroup" featuring Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee that moved folk into jazz territory with flourishes of psych.

The group members may disagree for personal reasons, but Odessa is easily the best and most enduring of the Bee Gees' albums of the 1960s.

Upon its release, the album was met by controversy among music critics, particularly those of jazz and rock music, who were divided in their reaction to its experimental musical structure and Davis's electric approach. Grady has a lot to say and Rob thinks he is starting to like Jazz.

After the dry run of the Who’s previous album “ the who sell out” Pete Townshead spearheaded a new project that was both innovative and ambitious. Tommy was a full-blown concept rock opera complete with overtune, interludes and an interwoven story about a boy Tommy.

The last Beatles album to be recorded (although Let It Be was the last to be released), Abbey Road was a fitting swan song for the group

After the success of Bayou Country producer and primary songwriter John Fogerty would continue his run of great songwriting in this second of the three albums recorded in 1969. The band worked tirelessly shunning the drug scene and breaking free from the drawn out San Francisco psychedelic jams with a straight ahead stripped down southern rock n roll that sounded gutsy and refreshing to critics and listeners alike.

What more do you want ? It's Johnny Cash in a prison talking shit about the prison he's singing in.

By 1969, Gram Parsons had already built the foundation of the country-rock movement through his work with the International Submarine Band and the Byrds, but his first album with the Flying Burrito Brothers, The Gilded Palace of Sin, was where he revealed the full extent of his talents

It was commercially successful, rising to the top of the U.S. charts for a collective seven weeks and yielding three successive Top 5 singles. It received a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1970. We hate it and Rob loves it because it reminds him of marching band and late nights in Vegas.

Crosby , Still and Nash begin as a loose idea of songwriters all with an affinity for close harmonies blended with folk and pop music. Having been at odds with their previous groups they decided to use their surnames as identification to ensure independence and guarantee that the band could not continue without any one of them.

Opening slowly with the dark, swampy "Born on the Bayou," Bayou Country reveals an assured Creedence Clearwater Revival, a band that has found its voice between their first and second album.

Experimental avant-garde/free-jazz artist Don Van Vliet, aka Captain Beefheart, releases Trout Mask Replica, a polyrhythmic, polytonal collection of noise that is either an unlistenable mess or a work of genius.

This marked the beginning of Young's recording association with Crazy Horse. With them, Young quickly cut a set of loose, guitar-heavy rock songs -- "Cinnamon Girl," "Down by the River," and "Cowgirl in the Sand" -- that redefined him as a rock & roll artist.

From the beginning, Frank Zappa cultivated a role as voice of the freaks -- imaginative outsiders who didn't fit comfortably into any group. We're Only in It for the Money is the ultimate expression of that sensibility, a satirical masterpiece that simultaneously skewered the hippies and the straights as prisoners of the same narrow-minded, superficial phoniness

The Beatles were at the peak of their global influence and visibility in 1968. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, released the previous year, had enjoyed a combination of commercial success, critical acclaim, and immense cultural influence that had previously seemed inconceivable for a pop release.

Initially Sweetheart of the rodeo was going to be a collection of songs that would represent American popular music of the 20th century, encompassing examples of country music, jazz and rhythm and blues, among other genres but the concept was abandoned early on and the album instead became purely a country record

Lauded as one of the greatest albums in the rock ’n’ roll canon, Astral Weeks feels less like rock, more like a benediction, a song cycle of rebirth.

Odessey and Oracle was one of the best albums of the 1960s, and one of the most enduring players to come out of the entire British psychedelic boom, mixing trippy melodies, ornate choruses, and lush Mellotron sounds with a solid hard rock base.

Noted for his distinctive baritone voice and for the unorthodox career path that has taken him from 1960s pop icon to 21st-century avant-garde musician this second solo record sees Scott Walker stretching out in range and creativity.

Caetano Veloso's first album as a solo artist marked the birth of the culturally revolutionary tropicalia movement, of which Veloso and Gilberto Gil were the leading figures. The concept of the movement was to modernize Brazilian popular culture and, through creative music and poetry, reflect the Brazilian society as it appeared at the time.

Truth them became Jeff Beck's breakout album and cemented him as a leader of heavy blues inspired guitar music. Along with Rod Stewart, future Rolling Stone bassit Ronnie Wood , and a tight session drummer Micky Waller.

The album and the group made their own impact, influencing a movement toward roots styles and country elements in rock. Over time, Music from Big Pink came to be regarded as a watershed work in the history of rock, one that introduced new tones and approaches to the constantly evolving genre.

It was time for the small faces to show that they could really think in terms of whole albums as opposed to snippets of three-minute glory. The result? Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake. Sometimes brilliant sometimes annoying and sometimes confusing.

“Bookends' problematic, disillusioned themes, sometimes disguised in wry humor, striking arrangements, and augmented orchestral instrumentation, portray the sounds of people in an American life that they no longer understand, or understands them. In just over 29 minutes, Bookends is stunning in its vision of a bewildered America in search of itself.” AllMusic Review Thom Jurek

The band was thinking about a completely different direction and developed the idea for SF Sorrow a bold and uncompromising concept record with a complete storyline that has since been acknowledged as being the first ever “rock opera” ; as it was released a year before The Who’s “Tommy”.

With its endless, droning minor-key riff and mumbled vocals, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is arguably the most notorious song of the acid rock era

Dr. John's Gris-Gris is among the most enduring recordings of the psychedelic era; it sounds as mysterious and spooky in the 21st century as it did in 1968.

The United States of America was an American experimental rock band whose works, recorded in late 1967, are an early example of the use of electronic devices in rock music. The short-lived band was founded in Los Angeles by experimental composer Joseph Byrd and singer and lyricist Dorothy Moskowitz

They quickly rose to fame for their exciting live performances and a charismatic 22 year old Texan singer named Janis Joplin. The 1968 album Cheap Thrills was Initially planned as a live album but because a studio recording mimicking their live set.

Yet another Byrds record in this book?! This was is one of the band's most interesting and cohesive sounding albums that furthered the ever evolving sound of the Byrds.

Vincebus Eruptum is a glorious celebration of rock & roll primitivism run through enough Marshall amps to deafen an army; only a few of Blue Cheer's peers could turn up and they did it with just three people.

Lady Soul completed a remarkable 12 months of achievement for Aretha Franklin. Having been signed to Atlantic in 1966 after years in the doldrums at Columbia. These 10 tracks represent Aretha Franklin’s coronation as the Queen of Soul. There’s soul. And then there’s Aretha Franklin.

A brilliant and innovative composer, with intricate, haunting works highlighting her singularly powerful vocal phrasing, evocative lyrics. Modern comparisons have been drawn to Kate Bush and Tori Amos to St. Vincent and Joanna Newsom. This album and song structures are completely baffling.

The album has gone on to be something of legend. An outlaw country singer with a penchant for danger performs songs about breaking the law and casualty jokes with the inmates as if they had been locked up together. This record would further push the romantic outlaw aura for Cash as not only the man that sang about prison life but of someone willing to connect with those who lived it every day.

At a time when a growing number of pop songwriters were embracing a more explicitly poetic approach in their lyrics, the 1967 debut album from Leonard Cohen introduced a songwriter who, rather than being inspired by "serious" literature, took up music after establishing himself as a published author and poet.

Jimi Hendrix's third and final album with the original Experience found him taking his funk and psychedelic sounds to the absolute limit. The result was not only one of the best rock albums of the era, but also Hendrix's original musical vision at its absolute apex.

Os Mutantes' first album is an astonishing listen. It's far more experimental than most of the albums produced by the era's first-rate psychedelic bands of Britain or America and at times seems like a reinterpretation of the genre itself.

Ravi Shankar could be considered one of the the most famous Indian musician's on the planet. And his introduction to India music is soothing and incredible.

Ray Davies' sentimental, nostalgic streak emerged on Something Else, but it developed into a manifesto on The Village Green Preservation Society, a concept album lamenting the passing of old-fashioned English traditions.

Many musicians have acknowledged this record and the band as an influence including Bob Dylan and Robert Plant, who touted its influence on Led Zeppelin's first album and general direction. We think this album is utter nonsense and don't know why anyone would include it in a book of "must hear albums".

Traffic’s first single "Paper Sun", gave them instant chart success, reaching No. 5 in the UK, but Winwood was reportedly unimpressed with the song's success, feeling it misrepresented his vision for the band. And while Traffic's sound was very much of its time, the emphasis on Winwood's keyboards and Wood's wind instruments set them apart from their guitar driven peers.

This was the start of the prolific period in which the Rolling Stones would become the biggest rock band of the 70’s and perhaps history. Their raw, bluesy over-driven Delta blues licks and slide guitar fit perfectly with Mick Jagger’s leering over-sexualized vocals that cut like a knife over African drums beats.

While the inclusion of "Respect" is in and of itself sufficient to earn I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You classic status, Aretha Franklin's Atlantic label debut is an indisputable masterpiece from start to finish.

With Axis Hendrix stretches further musically than the first album, but even more so as a songwriter. Hendrix had a contract for three albums in one year and this could be considered "the middle child".

The second album is a visceral audio assault of overdriven instruments, and lyrics about methamphetamine abuse, botched medical procedures violence and of course heroin-dealing drag queens. Cale recalled “The first one had some gentility, some beauty. The second one was consciously anti-beauty.”

The instrumental album “Call of the valley” follows a day in the life of an Indian shepherd from Kashmir. It is one of the most successful Indian albums and one that became popular with an international audience.

The country legend with her defining album that made her one of countries most likeable artists but also one of the most important as she speaks plainly about woman's issues and growing up poor in her own beautiful way.

Sometimes considered a 60's garage one-hit-wonder the Electric Prunes kick off their debut album with their first (and biggest) hit single, and if Electric Prunes: I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) never hits the high point of its title track again it still might be enough to consider a listen.

One of the most stunning debuts in rock history, and one of the definitive albums of the psychedelic era. On Are You Experienced?, Jimi Hendrix synthesized various elements of the cutting edge of 1967 rock into music that sounded both futuristic and rooted in the best traditions of rock, blues, pop, and soul. What can we say this album is hands down amazing!

Merle Haggard's "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" brought Haggard country stardom immediately and when it was released it became his first number one country hit. Although we don't dispute Haggard's legacy and important, some of us just aren't feeling this album.

Sunshine Superman is the third album from British singer-songwriter Donovan that took him from folk troubadour to pop sensation. The difference between the poetic somber folk songs and catchy pop can be jarring not to mention it angers Rob.

The Kinks are back and we can't get enough of their very British satire that blends great song writing with catchy pop melodies. This is the start of something great.

The second album by Jefferson Airplane, Surrealistic Pillow was a groundbreaking piece of folk-rock-based psychedelia, that inspired a myriad of other acts. After drowning in West coast psychedelic acts we get to one of the originators.

Groovin’, the Young Rascals’ third album, raised their profile even higher with their melodic songcraft, crisp arrangements and positive vibes. It's a feel good time for the group but we are divided on if it's a "good album".

Younger Than Yesterday was somewhat overlooked at the time of its release during an intensely competitive era that found the Byrds on a commercial downslide. This is the moment we start questioning why this book has so many Byrds albums. Why book why?

The Doors were unique, controversial and one of the most influential rock acts of the 1960s their debut self-titled album is impressive. Despite the negative preconceptions from the group about The Doors (or rather Jim Morrison), having the historical context seems to have changed some minds about the group.