[Review] Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Pictures at an Exhibition (1971)
There’s nothing modest about ELP’s live adaptation of Mussorgsky’s classic collection of sound paintings.
[Review] Jon Hassell: Vernal Equinox (1978)
Electronically treated trumpet ragas featuring the sounds of nature and primitive synthesizers.
Anthrax: “Indians” (1987)
Ten percent Indian (on Joey Belladonna’s mother’s side), ninety percent metal.
[Review] Cheap Trick: Heaven Tonight (1978)
Another slice of technicolor heaven that puts the “pow” in power pop.
[Review] Styx: Man of Miracles (1974)
The light and heavy factions of Styx find better balance on the last of the Wooden Nickel recordings.
The Stranglers: “No More Heroes” (1977)
The song that asks the musical question: “Whatever happened to Leon Trotsky?”
[Review] Phil Collins: Hello, I Must Be Going! (1982)
The second album repeats the success of the first down to the smallest details, which is a bit, um, boring.
[Review] The Art of Noise: (Who’s Afraid Of?) The Art of Noise (1984)
A musical revolution fomented by the Fairlight computer musical instrument.
David Bowie with The Lower Third: “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” (1966)
A new name (Bowie) and a new direction (English mod), one of which stuck around longer than the other.
[Review] Vangelis: Spiral (1977)
A direct and accessible album of sequencer-based songs sandwiched in between some of his heaviest concept albums.
[Review] Mike Oldfield: Hergest Ridge (1974)
A soothing successor to the turbulent Bells, with deceptively simple pastoral and sea themes masking intricate overdubs.
Icehouse: “We Can Get Together” (1980)
The band’s first big hit, it’s good enough to give The Cars a run for their money.
[Review] The Mothers of Invention: Freak Out! (1966)
A freaking brilliant, sarcastic sendup of society and popular music in which all pretense to normalcy and decency is dropped.
[Review] The Police: Reggatta de Blanc (1979)
A #1 record with two #1 singles. Not a bad showing for their worst album.
Joni Mitchell: “Coyote” (1977)
Rolling thunder along the highway and the first encounter on Hejira.