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Genesis ‘The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway’ (1974)
A lot of people remember Genesis for their pop breakout 1986 album Invisible Touch but forget that ahead of that mainstream success they were a heavyweight prog-rock band with an embarrassment of riches on the talent side of the house. Any band that has Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins on its roster of musicians is…
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The Promise Ring ‘Nothing Feels Good’ (1997)
As a certifiable emo kid in my teens there were a few albums that had an outsized impact on many of my favorite bands. I didn’t know it at the time, but some of my favorite artists like Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, and Jimmy Eat World owed a ton to Nothing Feels Good by…
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Billie Holiday ‘Lady In Satin’ (1958)
In 1958 Billie Holiday entered the studio to record Lady in Satin and was a woman bearing the weight of a lifetime of hardship and heartbreak. The years of substance abuse, turbulent relationships, and brushes with the law had taken a significant toll on Holiday, both physically and emotionally. Her once-crystalline voice now carried a…
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Arctic Monkeys ‘AM’ (2013)
Arctic Monkeys had somewhat of a second coming with their fifth studio album AM in that they did what has been nearly impossible for British rock bands over the last 40 years– completely take over American radio stations well over a decade into their career. The journey began years earlier when they harnessed the power…
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The Replacements ‘Tim’ (1985)
By 1985 Minneapolis-based The Replacements had carved out a space in the punk rock underground, but Tim marked their shift toward a sound that began to explore the roomier horizon of alternative rock. With their ragged guitars and Westerberg’s soulful voice, The Replacements blended punk’s sharp edge with a melodic sensibility that gave them a…
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Lauryn Hill ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ (1998)
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill redefined hip-hop and soul music almost immediately after it was released. At the time Lauryn Hill was already a respected member of the Fugees, but following a somewhat tumultuous breakup of the group. she was determined to create something entirely her own. Drawing inspiration from her new experience with motherhood,…
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Queens of the Stone Age ‘Songs for the Deaf’ (2002)
Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme has always been a personal favorite of mine. He’s an alternative rock juggernaut, with a drugged-out and sleazy vibe that immediately makes you feel like you’re halfway through a bottle of tequila every time you hear him play. He plays like the guitar with an almost Medieval…
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Militarie Gun ‘Life Under The Gun’ (2023)
Music had always been a lifeline for Militarie Gun frontman Ian Shelton. Growing up in a small Washington town, Shelton was drawn to the raw intensity of hardcore punk as an outlet for pent-up frustrations (a love affair I can certainly understand). After years of honing his craft in other bands, most notably as the…
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Neil Young ‘Harvest’ (1972)
Harvest would end up defining not only Neil Young’s career but also an era of introspective, folk-infused rock. At the time Young was already known for his poetic lyricism and achingly honest voice, traits that had made him a beloved figure in the folk-rock world, and his work with CSNY (specifically their masterful Deja Vu…
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Descendents ‘Milo Goes To College’ (1982)
Milo Goes to College by the Descendents is widely celebrated as a punk essential, landing on critics best-of punk rock lists from industry luminaries like Spin and Rolling Stone. Critics praise its punchy, fast-paced tracks that capture teenage angst with humor and honesty– it was effectively the blueprint for modern pop punk as we know…
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Dierks Bentley ‘Riser’ (2014)
By the time Riser was released in 2014 Dierks Bentley had come a long way. This dude legitimately spent about a decade of his life during his 20’s grinding to get his big break, spending his free time watching old country performances on video and heading to the local haunts in Nashville for research purposes…
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Green Day ‘Dookie’ (1994)
In 1994 Green Day’s Dookie exploded onto the music scene like explosives duct-taped to someone’s spine (yes that is a “Having A Blast” reference), vaulting the band into the mainstream. They were born in the gritty punk clubs of California’s East Bay right up the road from me, in an underground scene where DIY ethics…
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Etta James ‘At Last!’ (1960)
At just 22, Etta James had already lived a life rich with struggle and resilience when she stepped into Chicago’s Chess Records studio to record At Last. And with a delicate orchestral arrangement and a velvety, yearning vocal delivery, the title track “At Last” captured the essence of love’s deepest longing. There’s so many things…
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Underoath ‘Define The Great Line’ (2006)
After the success of They’re Only Chasing Safety Underoath had a choice to make when recording their follow up album— double down on the polished pop screamo sound that made that album a cult classic, or further explore some of the metalcore aspects littering that album. They chose the latter and they were decisive, as…
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The Clash ‘The Clash’ (1977)
In the spring of 1977 a burst of raw energy and defiance echoed through London’s streets when The Clash released their self-titled debut album. Recorded in just three weekends at a cost of around £4,000, the album captured the urgency and frustration of a generation fed up with unemployment, social injustice, and a stagnant music…
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The Gun Club ‘Fire of Love’ (1981)
The Gun Club’s Fire of Love is raw and visceral, a unique blend of the ferocity of punk rock with a distinctive Southern gothic blues rock edge. Released in 1981 off the heels of the punk rock explosion in the UK, Fire of Love captures the chaotic spirit of the early 80s punk scene but…
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Bo Diddley ‘Bo Diddley’ (1958)
Known for his signature “Bo Diddley beat”—a syncopated, chugging rhythm that drew from African and Latin grooves— Bo Diddley introduced a powerful new pulse to blues music that paired along with his dynamic guitar playing. This beat, with its hypnotic “bomp ba-bomp bomp, bomp bomp” rhythm, became the backbone of his songs and inspired countless…
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Herbie Hancock ‘Head Hunters’ (1973)
Herbie Hancock’s influence on funk is undeniable, with his groundbreaking keyboard work redefining what was possible within the genre. Hancock brought a mesmerizing harmonic sophistication and experimental spirit into funk, especially through his mastery of the electric keyboard and synthesizer. On Head Hunters he fused the rhythmic depth of jazz with the driving grooves of…
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Lee Greenwood ‘American Patriot’ (1992)
Today is election day in the United States and no matter which side of the political aisle you stand on it sounds like everyone feels like it’s the most important election in the history of human civilization. With that backdrop I’d say it’s probably in your best interest to get out there and vote and…
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Phoebe Bridgers ‘Stranger in the Alps’ (2017)
Phoebe Bridgers’ debut album Stranger in the Alps is steeped in melancholy, with lyrics that expose some pretty raw emotional depths. But despite the dark themes she explores with reckless abandon, there’s a subtle, self-aware humor woven into every song on this album, as if Bridgers wants to reassure listeners that she’s somehow okay. Case…
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Fontaines D.C. ‘Romance’ (2024)
I was visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Washington DC a few weekends ago (absolutely splendid time) and he started playing me a few songs off a few playlists he put together. My brother has always had an incredible ear for new and interesting music, stuff that’s sort of off the beaten path while still…
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At the Drive-In ‘Relationship of Command’ (2000)
At The Drive-In’s Relationship of Command stands as a watershed moment in the post-hardcore genre, blending frenetic energy with intricate lyrical depth. Released in 2000, the album captures the raw intensity of the band’s sound, characterized by Omar Rodríguez-López’s frenetic guitar work and Cedric Bixler-Zavala’s impassioned vocal delivery. Tracks like “One Armed Scissor” and “Pattern…
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ABBA ‘Arrival’ (1976)
ABBA’s Arrival showcases the band’s signature blend of pop brilliance and sense of drama– the whole album has always felt to me like something out of a Broadway musical, with tunes that told a grandiose story played up to maximum effect. From the infectious energy of “Dancing Queen” (how many goddamn weddings have you been…
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AFI ‘All Hallows EP’ (1999)
If you’re looking for an absolute ripper of a Halloween album to put on today it’s hard to beat AFI’s 1999 extended play All Hallows EP. Clocking in at a tidy 13 minutes across four songs, the band blasts through some Halloween-inspired fare in a way that only old school AFI could muster. The songs…
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Savage Garden ‘Savage Garden’ (1997)
Savage Garden’s “Truly Madly Deeply” is up there for me as one of the better pop love songs of all-time for the sole reason that it came at a pretty formative point in my life. Whether you want to call it my band boy phase or something else a little less accusatory (although boy band…
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Adolescents ‘Adolescents’ (1981)
Emerging from Fullerton, California, in 1980, Adolescents carved a significant niche within the punk rock movement, helping to shape its sound and ethos during a transformative period. With their self-titled debut album the band blended melodic hooks with raw, energetic instrumentation, setting a template that would influence countless punk bands in the years to come.…
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Dizzee Rascal ‘Tongue n’ Cheek’ (2009)
Born Dylan Mills, Dizzee Rascal grew up in a challenging environment in East London’s council estates, where he struggled academically and often got into trouble. A transformative music class provided him a refuge, allowing him to create his own unique productions and develop a distinct lyrical style. Influenced by U.S. hip-hop, his songwriting evolved to…
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Cannonball Adderley ‘Somethin’ Else’ (1958)
Recorded during Julian Cannonball Adderley’s time with Miles Davis’ First Great Quintet, this album features Davis in one of his rare sideman roles after 1955. He not only plays several initial solos but also composed the bluesy title track and selected most of the material. Notably, “Autumn Leaves” became a staple in the Davis repertoire,…
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Tame Impala ‘Currents’ (2015)
With Currents, Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker takes a bold step away from the introspective isolation that characterized his earlier albums, marking a profound evolution in his artistry. It manifests itself in many ways– the lyrical themes, the musical structure, and the instrumentation. Parker’s approach to this album reflects a desire to explore the complexities of…
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Ray Charles ‘The Genius of Ray Charles’ (1959)
Ray Charles’ impact on soul music cannot be understated– he almost single-handedly paved the way for soul and blues to be commercially viable and that fact in and of itself has cemented his place as an American icon. His one-of-a-kind baritone vocal melodies and brilliant piano playing legitimately transformed the way soul music was delivered…
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Gordon Lightfoot ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ (1970)
Gordon Lightfoot’s has an enduring appeal that stems from a rather extraordinary gift for melody and his captivating storytelling. With a career spanning over six decades he carved a unique space in folk and pop music, seamlessly blending poetic lyrics with an accessibility that gave him an everyman type feel. He was considerate and not…
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Lagwagon ‘Let’s Talk About Feelings’ (1998)
Lagwagon’s Let’s Talk About Feelings stands apart from a lot of its late 90’s skate-punk peers by exploring darker, more introspective themes while avoiding the toilet humor and sexism that dominated a lot of that genre. Joey Cape’s lyrics tackle personal struggles and frustrations, blending vulnerability with sharp commentary. The album’s tight, melodic punk sound…
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Stevie Ray Vaughan ‘Texas Flood’ (1983)
In the heart of Texas, under the blazing sun, there lived a man named Stevie Ray Vaughan. He may have walked and talked like a man, but by all accounts he was a sorcerer from another dimension, whose fingers danced upon his ridiculously heavy strings as if they were alive. Legends whispered that he was…
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The Yardbirds ‘For Your Love’ (1965)
The Yardbirds’ claim to fame is a damn good one– the band launched the careers of Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, three of the most respected blues rock guitar players of all-time. Their debut studio album For Your Love features the playing of Clapton and Beck respectively. Clapton, who was a founding member…
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The Hellacopters ‘High Visibility’ (2000)
Garage rock has been one of my favorite musical genres for as long as I’ve been listening to music. The sound of a Gibson Les Paul plugged into a Marshall amp is a sound as pure as the driven snow, a timeless blend of American ingenuity and testosterone-fueled machismo that immediately burrows its way into…
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Bad Company ‘Bad Company’ (1974)
If you love yourself a good old fashioned English rock supergroup from the 70’s you’ve come to the right place. Bad Company was comprised of vocalist Paul Rodgers, drummer Simon Kirke (both ex-Free), guitarist Mick Ralphs (ex-Mott The Hoople), and bassist Boz Burrell (ex-King Crimson) all had come together at a unique time in their…
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About the Author
Jason Matthew Plank listens to copious amounts of music and writes about one album each day. He is currently active in the bands Related to Strangers (post-hardcore) and Kindergarten Cartel (punk covers of children’s nursery rhymes).
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