Today’s Albums 801-900

The mix-album Prodigy Present: The Dirtchamber Sessions Volume One is 20 years old today! Following Liam Howlett mixing on Radio 1, Mary Anne Hobbs’s Breezeblock show, the LP was released to prevent bootlegs. Includes around 48 tracks, many well-known. Love it!  theprodigy.com

The name Richard Swift will be unknown to most, but his work with Damien Jurado, The Shins, and The Black Keys will never be forgotten. Sadly, Swift died last year age 41. His final album, The Hex, released shortly before his death is the perfect legacy.

The 1989 Ministry album The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste is seen as an industrial music great. In a cliché ridden genre, Ministry avoided falling down the rabbit hole. The track Breathe is incredibly intoxicating and hypnotic.  ministryband.com

Jack White of The White Stripes side project The Raconteurs, with Detroit songwriter Brendan Benson yielded the Mojo magazine 2006 Album of the Year, Broken Boy Soldiers. The short punchy tracks are influenced by the power guitar pop artists prevalent in the 60s, with the opener Steady, As She Goes as one of the highlights.

The 1973 eponymous Margie Joseph album showcases the American soul singer’s incredible vocals. She never found huge success like Aretha Franklin or Gladys Knight, but boy she could sing. Includes covers of I’d Rather Go Blind and Let’s Stay Together.

The 1965 debut Astrud Gilberto Album is every bit as wonderful as The Girl from Ipanema, the track that brought her fame. Gilberto’s voice has been described as sweet but fragile, and made for a Brazilian repertoire. Love Dindi and Agua de Beber.  astrudgilberto.com

The 1996 album Fantastic Planet by American alternative rock band Failure has been described a Nirvana copycat. Sure the influence is more than present, but I do like this album. The band self-produced admirably. Give it a try!  failureband.com

The 2001 debut album by Brooklyn dance-punk band Liars, They Threw Us All in a Trench and Stuck a Monument on Top, is certainly a curious beast! A collection of punk-funk rock closing with a 30-minute monotonous and puzzling affair.  liarsliarsliars.com

The 2nd Pavement album Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is 25 years old today! Confession time…this was my first listen! I know, shame on me. Definitely rockier than their debut. I enjoyed it, but didn’t blow me away…I am I wrong?

The 1981 ELO concept album Time received mixed reviews upon release, but also has been cited their most influential album. Gone were the orchestral strings in favour of electronics. The LP told the story of a man who was transported from the 80’s to 2095. I love it!  jefflynneselo.com

The 1975 debut album Dreamboat Annie by then Vancouver based band Heart gave them the nickname ‘the female Led Zeppelin’. Following tensions with the record label, the LP failed to receive the commercial success it deserved. Love Crazy on You.  heart-music.com

QTY are a rock band from New York City, and their debut eponymous album was recorded in London, and produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. Compared to The Velvet Underground, Television, and The Strokes, QTY is quality NYC guitar pop.  qtynyc.com

The debut MC5 album Kick Out The Jams is 50 years old this month! Recorded live at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom over two nights, the LP is widely considered a forerunner to punk rock music. On release, Rolling Stone, called it “ridiculous, overbearing, pretentious album!” Whoops…  mc5.org

The 1996 self-titled 4th studio album by British electronic musician Richard D. James, under his pseudonym Aphex Twin was inspired by the jungle and drum and bass genres. A complex listen, but an LP from an electronic genius.  aphextwin.warp.net

I was introduced to the English hard rock band Stray on an Ameoba Records episode of What’s in my Bag? Their 1970 debut eponymous LP is packed full of hook-laden melodic hard rock. I loved every minute. At one point they were managed by Charlie Kray, you might know his brothers!  stray-the-band.co.uk

Crash is the 2nd studio album by the Dave Matthews Band, first on a major label, and currently their best-selling album. The record was their breakthrough and a perfectly produced and well-crafted folk-rock album. Are you a fan?  davematthewsband.com

The 1989 Elvis Costello album Spike is 30 years old today. The LP was his first for his new label, Warner brothers, and first for 3-years. A smorgasbord of styles, from a gifted song-writer. Includes his biggest American hit single Veronica.  elviscostello.com

The 1970 debut solo recording by the Mamas & the Papas architect John Phillips, John Phillips (The Wolfking of L.A.) was an unexpected surprise. Not known for his vocal ability, JP delivered on this LP. Superb song writing. Love April Anne, Malibu People, and Holland Tunnel.  papajohnphillips.com

It’s taken me 31 years to actually listen to the 10,000 Maniacs album In My Tribe. Released in 1987, Rolling Stone described the album as “a poetic, heartfelt message about social concerns such as alcoholism, child abuse and illiteracy.” Natalie Merchant sure can write a good tune.  maniacs.com

The 1974 debut eponymous album by former Sly and the Family Stone bass player Larry Graham’s band Graham Central Station is a bass plucking delight. The work of LG inspired Prince. Highlights are the single Can You Handle It? and the incredible Hair.

The 2016 Plaid album The Digging Remedy, released on the legendary Warp label, was darker and less danceable than previous releases, especially their work in the 90’s. Love CLOCK and the exotic sounding Lambswood. As close to a summertime album as Plaid will get!  plaid.co.uk

The 3rd Green Day album, Dookie, is 25 years old today! The album helped propel the East Bay pop-punk bad into the mainstream, and has been hailed one of the landmark albums of the 1990s. Included the hit singles When I Come Around and Basket Case. Always a fun listen.  greenday.com

The Tori Amos album Under The Pink is 25 years old today! The 2nd LP from the American singer-songwriter and pianist includes the hit single Cornflake Girl. Recorded in a hacienda in New Mexico, UTP is possibly her best work, strong melodies, powerful arrangements and quirky lyrics.  toriamos.com

The 1989 New Order album Technique is 30 years old today! The LP was partly recorded in Ibiza and featured singles Fine Time, Round & Round and Run. Stylus Mag said “may have made better records, but none defines them, sounds so quintessentially like what they were always reaching for, as Technique.”  neworder.com

Ease Down The World released in 2001 by American musician Will Oldham, better known as Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, showcases his song writing talents. Simple songs and beautiful lyrics are Oldham’s bread and butter. Love At Break of Day and Lion’s Lair.  royalstablemusic.com

The 2007 album Dirt Farmer, by former drummer for the Band, Levon Helm was his first in 25 years, and won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2008. The songs, and title, refer to childhood growing up on a farm in the rural South. Among his best solo work.

The 2009 Bruce Springsteen album Working On A Dream is 10 years old today! Released to mixed reviews, but commercially successful becoming his 9th number one album in the US. Half of the LP could be among his best work. Love This Like.  brucespringsteen.net

Last year Klaus Passegger reached out to me regarding one of his songs. I liked what I heard, and waited for an album, which has now seen the light of day, called Reconnected. Klaus describes his sound as guitar driven instrumental rock in the style of Steve Vai. Give it a listen.  klauspassegger.com

The 1958 debut album At Home With Screamin’ Jay Hawkins includes his best known hit Put A Spell On You. Apparently, following the success of the song radio disc jockey Alan Freed offered Hawkins $300 to emerge from a coffin onstage. Hawkins reportedly said “No black dude gets in a coffin alive they don’t expect to get out!”

The Underworld album Dubnobasswithmyheadman is 25 years today! The band’s first album to feature Darren Emerson, is an electronic music great. NME said it was the first visionary record of ’94. Includes Dark & Long, Dirty Epic and Cowgirl. Love it!  underworldlive.com

The Throwing Muses album Hunkpapa is 30 years old today! The 3rd LP was mostly written by Kristin Hersh, with a couple of tracks by half-sister Tanya Donnelly. Lushly produced, but clearly an album in transition from a band searching their identity. A grower?

I’ve always had a soft spot for the 1995 debut Gene album Olympian, probably after DJ’ing for them that year. The press compared Gene with The Smiths, and the LP is seen as a Britpop classic. Includes much of their best work, Haunted by You, London, Can You Wait? and Sleep Well Tonight.

The 1970 album Tea For Tillerman brought Cat Stevens, now Yusuf, fame and fortune. Includes the classic tracks Where Do the Children Play? Wild World and Father and Son. I’ve never been his biggest fan…tell me if I’m wrong…  catstevens.com

The 1968 debut album by country singer/songwriter Townes Van Zandt, For The Sake of the Song, underlined the Texan as an emerging talent. Allmusic said he “wrote songs with an uncommon grace and poetic clarity.” Talkin’ Karate Blues is certainly a novelty!  townesvanzandt.com

The 3rd Antony and the Johnsons album, The Crying Light, is 10 years old today! I can never decide if AATJ is genius, or pretentious twaddle…it depends on my mood. On my most recent listen, it’s the former…a unique voice and talent.  antonyandthejohnsons.com

R.E.M. weren’t the only talent to emerge from Athens, Georgia. The Glands were plying their trade during the 90’s. But following 2 decades of silence, and the death of front man Ross Shapiro in 2016, a new album in 2018 was a surprise. Double Coda a 23-track all original material LP is with us…you won’t be disappointed!

The 1979 Michael Jackson album Off The Wall, produced by Quincy Jones, won a Grammy and was a major solo breakthrough for King of Pop. With Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder on the writing credits it was destined for greatness. Includes number-one single Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.  michaeljackson.com

The 2nd album by garage rock band Reigning Sound, Time Bomb High School released in 2002, has been likened to Exile on Main Street. Love the opener Stormy Weather and You’re Not as Pretty. Solid work from Greg Cartwright.

The 2nd Fairport Convention album, What We Did On Our Holidays, is 50 years old this month! There first to feature singer-songwriter Sandy Denny, and what an addition! Includes the FC classics Fotheringay and Meet on the Ledge.  fairportconvention.com

We all love a basement ‘discovered tape’ don’t we? Well Primal Scream’s 1994 Give Out But Don’t Give Up has re-emerged with The Original Memphis Recordings. I always enjoyed the original, critics didn’t, but the new found versions are more soulful and less-produced. What do you think?  primalscream.net

The Boss Bruce Springsteen played an impressive 236 shows at the Walter Kerr Theatre in New York City, known as Springsteen on Broadway, playing solo and reciting stories from his autobiography. The recently released LP was a cracking listen. Did anyone go to a show? How was it?  brucespringsteen.net

I recently stumbled across the music of Nigerian funk musician William Onyeabor and was mightily impressed. The 1980 Body & Soul album contains just four tracks, but all lengthy grooves. Apparently, he performed live or gave interviews…an enigma!  williamonyeabor.com

The 1970 Frank Sinatra LP Watertown is a concept album telling the story of a man’s disbelief in his wife leaving him. The LP was the only Sinatra release voiced over pre-recorded orchestral tracks. It received mixed critical reviews and poor sales, and his only major LP not to make Billboard 100…I loved it!

The 1989 Lou Reed album New York is 30 years old today! The critics gave the LP gushing praise, and for good reason. Lyrically brilliant, put Reed back on the map. Love Romeo Had Juliette and Halloween Parade. Reed’s strongest solo effort since Transformer?  loureed.com

The 1995 album The Sound of McAlmont & Butler featured an unlikely partnership, David McAlmont formally of London band Thieves, and guitarist Bernard Butler who had just left Suede. Includes the incredible Yes and You Do. An odd couple’s perfect partnership.  mcalmontandbutler.uk

The Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers album Moanin’ is 60 years old this month! The opening title track is a classic, and with the other compositions, mostly written by saxophonist Benny Golson, became known as an archetypal hard bop album of the era. Solid listen.  artblakey.com

The 1971 Alice Cooper album Love It To Death is often cited as being one of the LPs at the forefront of the heavy metal sound. Includes the album’s best-known track I’m Eighteen, the superb Caught In A Dream and ends with a fun version of Sun Arise. Classic Furnier!  alicecooper.com

The Animal Collective album Merriweather Post Pavilion is 10 years old today! Named after the Columbia, Maryland venue of the same name, the 8th release from the American experimental pop group feels like a big warm hug of an album. Includes singles My Girl, Summertime Clothes, and Brother Sport.  myanimalhome.net

The Elvis Costello and the Attractions album Armed Forces is 40 years old today! The Chicago Tribune called the album “Costello’s ‘political’ record, and also one of his most irresistibly melodic.” Includes the classics Oliver’s Army and Accidents Will Happen and Watching the Detectives. Pure brilliance!

The 1959 debut Howlin’ Wolf album Moanin’ In The Moonlight is a legendary LP, by a legendary artist. Primarily a compilation of Chess released singles, most written by the Wolf. Allmusic said “a voice that could separate skin from bone, and a sheer magnetism and charisma that knew (and has known) no equal.”  howlinwolf.com

The American singer-songwriter and musician Damon McMahon, aka Amen Dunes, released Freedom in 2018 an album of intense beauty. Recorded at the legendary studios, Electric Lady Studios in NYC and at Sunset Sound in LA. Sadly, he his mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the beginning of recording. An artist growing with every recording.  amendunes.com

The 2018 Dierks Bentley album The Mountain blends rock-country with bluegrass while embracing the great outdoors. Great song craftsmanship and solid production is evident. Includes the singles Woman, Amen and Burning Man. A rollicking listen.  dierks.com

Happy 2019! The 2000 album Kid A by Radiohead mesmerised me while traveling around Asia that year. Kid A accompanied me on many a night time bus ride. The radical change in direction favouring electronics, rather than traditional instruments created quite a stir? Do you love? Or not a fan?  radiohead.com

Let’s end 2018 with a bang! The 1994 Soundgarden album Superunknown was arguably the band’s finest release. Entertainment Weekly described the LP “a boiling vat of volcanic power.” Includes the singles My Wave, Spoonman and Black Hole Sun. A hard-rock masterpiece!  soundgardenworld.com

Louisa Roach, under the moniker She Drew The Gun released the LP Revolution Of Mind in 2018. An album worthy of a place on the end of year ‘best of’ lists. Her melodic psych pop won Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent contest in 2016, and her stock continues to rise!  shedrewthegun.com

The debut album from British indie-pop band The Orielles, called Silver Dollar Moment, is another of the ‘best of’ 2018. Allmusic said “The trio plays with a cheerful glee that lifts the songs high into the air and takes the listener along for the giddy ride.” Charming LP.  theorielles.co.uk

The 1971 Rod Stewart album Every Picture Tells A Story was a huge chart success and often included in ‘Greatest’ album lists. Includes Rod’s breakthrough hit, Maggie May, and also Reason to Believe. A perfect blend of hard rock, folk, and blues.  rodstewart.com

The debut album 1977 by the Northern Irish trio Ash first hit the airwaves during the golden period of Britpop. The LP opens with a Star Wars Tie Fighter then erupts into a collection of 90’s festival favourites before eventually running out of steam. Kung Fu anyone? Oh Yeah!  ash-official.com

The 1982 Bruce Springsteen album Nebraska was recorded on a 4-track cassette tape Portastudio, and was originally intended for demos.  But were released in the form of Nebraska. The songs of down-on-their-luck blue-collar workers have been covered by many artists. Bleak yet alluring!  brucespringsteen.net

A very Happy Christmas to all in the wonderful @todayzalbum community! Let’s celebrate with an Xmas feast of Elvis Presley. Released in 1957, the Elvis’ Christmas Album features the usual dose of yuletide cheer. It’s Ho Ho from Tupelo!  elvisthemusic.com

A new name to me Michael Nau, of the Maryland indie band Cotton Jones, in 2017 released his 2nd solo album Some Twist. A nostalgic, impressively written and produced piece of work. Hints of Burt Bacharach mentioned a testament to the quality of song. Loved it!

The Taj Mahal album The Natch’l Blues is 50 years old today! The 2nd LP from American Blues musician Henry Saint Clair Fredericks (better known as Taj Mahal) is journey from bare Delta Blues through to grand studio numbers. A forgotten masterpiece?  tajblues.com

When Tom Waits declared himself a junkyard noise poet his output became sporadic. There was a 5-year hiatus before releasing the 1999 Mule Variations. An album of fantastically Wait’s song writing, with a vocal delivery that could wake the dead! Do you dig Thomas Alan Waits?  tomwaits.com

The 1972 Lou Reed album Transformer is regarded an influential landmark of the glam rock genre. The former Velvet Underground founder’s 2nd LP includes the singles Walk on the Wild Side, Satellite of Love and Vicious. Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. A classic!  loureed.com

The Brooklyn quintet Caveman returned recently after 3-years with a new album Otero War. An album of melodic hooks and uplifting indie-rock. Definitely less hypnotic and more radio friendly than previous work. But I like this band, and enjoyed the listen.  cavemantheband.com

The 1972 debut eponymous album by the Eagles gave the LA country rock band immediate success. The LP cost $125,000 to produce, at London’s Olympic Studios. Includes their classic tracks Take It Easy, Witchy Woman and Peaceful Easy Feeling. Any Eagles fans out there?  eagles.com

The Bristol trio Beak> released an album in 2018, >>>, worthy of the ‘best of’ end of year lists. Including Geoff Barrow of Portishead, the band have explored the krautrock genre, but with >>> they went bold. Music for movies.

The 1975 10cc album The Original Soundtrack includes the singles Life Is a Minestrone and their most popular song I’m Not in Love. I’ve always found that side one is sublime, and side two loses its way. But The Original Soundtrack is a 10cc classic. What are your thoughts?  10cc.world

The co-founder of Factory Floor Gabe Gurnsey released his first solo album, Physical, is 2018. A loosely based concept album around a night out at a dance club. Tight electro dance, and as a drummer, Gurnsey creates perfect beats. Play before your big night out!

The Marvin Gaye album Here My Dear is 40 years old today! Recorded at the Marvin Gaye Studios in Los Angeles, the LP deals with the end of his marriage to his first wife, Anna Gordy Gaye. The LP flopped, and critics were harsh, but opinions have changed over the years. Classic Gaye.

Mimi Parker, Alan Sparhawk and Steve Garrington, better known as Low, have created an atmospheric masterpiece, sure to feature on the 2018 ‘best of’ lists. Double Negative is dark, experimental and chilling, as The Quietus describes “feel like they exist in a vacuum feel like they exist in a vacuum.” Genius!  chairkickers.com

The Pakistani vocalist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was considered one of the greatest voices ever recorded. When Peter Gabriel introduced Khan to producer Michael Brook, they created an incredible album, the 1990 Real World released Mustt Mustt. Spellbinding!

Another one for the 2018 best of lists. The Texan trio Khruangbin’s LP Con Todo El Mundo is a charming collection of soulful, dub and funky instrumentals. Infused with ‘world music’ sounds Con Todo El Mundo brightens the darkest of winters!

The eponymous Blood, Sweat & Tears album is 50 years old today! The LP was a commercial success, even though Al Kooper and two other members left the band after the first album. Includes the singles You’ve Made Me So Very Happy, Spinning Wheel and And When I Die. Top jazz-rock!

The beauty of music is despite losing the artist their music lives on, often with posthumous releases. Such is the case with the incredible Charles Bradley. Black Velvet includes covers of Nirvana, Neil Young and Rodriguez, and 4 never released tracks. Such a voice, such a loss!

The Sons of Kemet Mercury Prize nominated album Your Queen Is A Reptile is another ‘best of’ 2018. The jazz quartet led by the tenor saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings proved the British jazz is alive and well. Tight, intricate and kinetic.

The album Songs Our Daddy Taught Us by The Everly Brothers is 60 years old this month! As the title suggests their father, Ike Everly, taught them these traditional tracks. The LP was a ‘surprise release’ given the duo’s commercial success as a rock and roll act. As always, tremendous harmonies!

The debut eponymous 1994 Weezer album (the blue one!) is an emo power pop classic! Still a much loved band today, due to the genius that is Rivers Cuomo. Includes 3 great singles, Undone – The Sweater Song, Buddy Holly, and Say It Ain’t So. Timeless!  weezer.com

Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones is 50 years old today! The LP was a return to roots rock following their psychedelic phase. The Chicago Sun-Times described BB as “their rawest, rudest, most arrogant, most savage record yet. And it’s beautiful.” Includes Sympathy for the Devil and Street Fighting Man.  rollingstones.com

The 2nd album from the Bristol punk rock band IDLES, Joy as an Act of Resistance, is sure to be on the best of 2018 lists, having been called an ‘instant classic’. Ged Babey, for Louder Than War called it “One of the most inspiring albums I have heard for a long, long time.” Powerful stuff!  idlesband.com

The Throbbing Gristle D.O.A. The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle is 40 years old today! Desolate, disturbing, decaying, industrial, nauseating, full of feedback, mumbling conversations, alienating, droning and repellent. You get the idea…  throbbing-gristle.com

S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things is 50 years old this month! The LP is considered one of the first rock concept albums. The story of Sebastian F. Sorrow through song, deals with birth, war, tragedy, and old age. Was The Who’s Tommy influenced by the LP? The Who said no, The Pretty Things said yes!  theprettythings.com

Is it really 12 years since Damon Albarn’s eclectic super group The Good, the Bad & the Queen graced our ears with their respected debut? Well they are back with Merrie Land, an LP they describe as a ten song lament of Anglo-Saxosentialism. Quite, always worth a listen!  thegoodthebadandthequeen.com

50 years ago today The Monkees released Head, the soundtrack to their movie of the same name! it was the album to feature Peter Tork, for nearly 20 years. At under 30 minutes, it features just 6 full songs, including the wonderful Porpoise Song, and sound bites from the movie.  monkees.com

The 1959 Ornette Coleman album The Shape of Jazz to Come featured his working quartet, including himself, Don Cherry (trumpet), Charlie Haden (bass), and Billy Higgins (drums). The recording is regarded as a pioneering piece in the avant-garde jazz scene.  ornettecoleman.com

The debut studio album Incunabula by English electronic music duo Autechre is 25 years old today! Released on the legendary electronic label Warp records, the LP was collection of minimal beats and loops, rather than the Intelligent Dance Music of later releases.

The You Guys Kill Me album by Matt Elliott, under the moniker The Third Eye Foundation is master class of sampling and creative production. Entertainment Weekly said the album was “a dense weave of scissored rhythms and slithering tape loops that reads like a soundtrack to some great lost surrealist film.” Couldn’t have put it better myself!  thirdeyefoundation.com

The 1972 Elton John album Honky Château was named after the 18th century French Château d’Hérouville where it was recorded. Perhaps Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s finest set of songs? Includes the brilliant Rocket Man, Honky Cat and Hercules. What’s your Elton Top 3 LPs?  eltonjohn.com

The 1958 eponymous Bo Diddley album, released on Chess Records, is a collection of singles between 1955-1958. Includes some of his best known hits, such as Pretty Thing, Diddley Daddy and Bo Diddley. Great rock ‘n’ roll and of course the Bo Diddley beat!  bodiddley.com

The debut Flying Burrito Brothers album The Gilded Palace of Sin, released in 1969, was not a commercial success, as with many influential albums. Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman unquestionably fused country and rock spectacularly with stunning two-part harmonies. An iconic LP.

The latest Muse release Simulation Theory has received mixed reviews, but I’m always a sucker for 80’s science fiction style music. That’s not to say the LP is without problems, in my opinion there are a few weaker moments. Good to have them back and worth checking out. Would love to hear your thoughts???  muse.mu

The debut Snoop Dogg album Doggystyle is 25 years old today! After Snoop’s appearances on Dr. Dre’s debut The Chronic, he entered the studio and created an LP that put the hip-hop subgenre of g-funk to the mainstream audience. A West Coast hip hop classic!  snoopdogg.com

The 1968 album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society is 50 years old today! The last album by the original quartet failed to chart upon release, but now considered as one of their most influential. The title track and Starstruck were released as singles.  thekinks.info

The debut My Bloody Valentine album Isn’t Anything is 30 years old today! Considered a revolutionary work of the shoegazing subgenre. I’ll let the defunct Melody Maker sum up the LP “a raving nymphomania and out-of-body experience that establishes them as absent-minded rulers of this daydream nation.”  mybloodyvalentine.org

The Manchester indie-rock band Puressence blew me away with their 1996 debut eponymous album. The high-pitch warbling of lead singer James Mudriczki was like nothing else around at the time. So many highlights on this LP… I Suppose, Fire, India, Traffic Jam in Memory Lane and Casting Lazy Shadows.

The 1980 Prince album Dirty Mind was shock to the system. His first two releases were romantic, the third was just dirty! Keith Harris of Blender magazine (not of Orville fame!) said the songs are “confessions of a sex junkie.” Uptown, Dirty Mind, and Head were released as singles. It’s Prince…I love it!  officialprincemusic.com

Day & Age, the 3rd The Killers album is 10 years old today! Is it controversial to say the band peaked with their first release? An improvement on their 2nd LP. Includes the singles Human, Spaceman and The World We Live In.  thekillersmusic.com

The American punk rock band The Offspring Americana album is 20 years old today! Allmusic describe the album as a “a hearty combination of poppy punk,” which hits the nail on the head. Includes the hit singles Pretty Fly (for a White Guy), Why Don’t You Get a Job? and The Kids Aren’t Alright.  offspring.com

Anyone for a guilty pleasure? The 1986 album Word Up! by the American funk and R&B group Cameo was their greatest triumph. The infectious title track, Candy and Back and Forth, all fond memories of my teenage years.

The 1971 T. Rex album Electric Warrior saw Bolan and band move from the folk-oriented music into the glam rock world. The LP was the bestselling album of 1971, and featured the singles Get It On and Jeepster. Irresistible hooks and cosmic lyrics, still sounds great today!