Machine Head: Deep Purple (1972)
Machine Head heavily influenced metal. Although not a metal record, it is best defined as proto-metal. “Highway Star” is considered an early speed metal tune. “Smoke on the Water” contains one of the greatest riffs in music history and recounts a fire at a casino in which Frank Zappa was performing. Music fans that worship early Zeppelin and Sabbath should include Machine Head in their canon.
Key Tracks:
Smoke on the Water
Space Truckin’
Highway Star
Pyromania: Def Leppard (1983)
Def Leppard made the leap to the big leagues with Pyromania. The album successfully bridged the gap between popular music, metal, and rock. Def Leppard partially recorded the album with Pete Willis. The band fired the guitarist for overindulging in alcohol. His replacement, Phil Collen, fit perfectly with the band and passed his audition with a blazing solo on “Photograph.” After reaching the pinnacle, Def Leppard underwent a series of trials before returning to dominate the charts.
Key Tracks:
Photograph
Foolin’
Rock of Ages
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
Die Hard the Hunter
Hysteria: Def Leppard (1987)
Pyromania transformed Def Leppard into superstars. On December 31, 1984, drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in an auto accident. He retrained himself on the drums and returned to the band. After production delays, bloated expenses, and a change in producers, the group finally released Hysteria. At the time, it was the longest rock album ever recorded. The work reached #1 everywhere and went diamond with over 12 million copies sold. The success did not occur until the band released “Pour Some Sugar On Me” as a single. Once that hit the street and appeared on radio, the album exploded.
Key Tracks:
Animal
Love Bites
Pour Some Sugar On Me
Armageddon It
Hysteria
Gods of War
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs: Derek and the Dominoes (1970)
Some consider Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs Eric Clapton’s greatest achievement. Clapton experienced the super group dynamic with Cream and Blind Faith and wanted out. In order to avoid hype, Clapton toured small clubs under an assumed name. After the tour, Derek and the Dominoes recorded the legendary album in a Miami studio. Derek and the Dominoes was an ensemble act consisting of Eric Clapton, keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, drummer Jim Gordon, bassist Carl Radle, and the great Duane Allman. The album’s best known work, “Layla” recounts Clapton’s anguish over George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd. On a side note, Boyd also influenced The Beatles’ “Something” meaning she influenced two of rock’s greatest songs.
Key Tracks:
Bell Bottom Blues
Tell The Truth
Layla
Brothers in Arms: Dire Straits (1985)
Brothers in Arms was one of the first albums directed toward the CD market. Digitally recorded, the album became the first CD to outsell its LP format and to sell over a million copies. Dire Straits really created two albums. The first portion was classic Dire Straits arena based classic rock. The second half was subdued and folksy. The video for “Money For Nothing” is one of the most played in MTV history and aided in the albums success.
Key Tracks:
So Far Away
Money For Nothing
Walk of Life
Brothers in Arms
The Doors: The Doors (1967)
The Doors debut album not only introduced the band, but came to define it. “Break on Through” is the band’s call to expand the boundaries of existence. “Back Door Man” and “Alabama Song” are both covers, but seem to be biographical depictions of Jim Morrison. “The End” explores Morrison’s Oedipal complex. “Light My Fire” broke the band and became its signature song. With so much variety and vitality on the album, The Doors became a greatest hits album.
Key Tracks:
Break On Thru (To The Other Side)
Light My Fire
The End
Alabama Song
The Chronic: Dr. Dre (1992)
Dr. Dre broke away from NWA and went solo. His solo debut’s title references street slang for marijuana. The G-funk sound revolutionized gangsta rap for the next few years. He included Funkadelic beats, live instruments, and soul making slower, mellower music. Instead of calling for revolution or a party, Dre provided a middle ground.
Key Tracks:
Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang
Fuck wit Dre Day
Let Me Ride
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan (1963)
Bob Dylan’s first album only included two original songs. His second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, contained eleven. The album is catalogue of early sixties folk classics. The album is an account of the period with reports on civil rights, nuclear warfare, and modern anxiety. The album made Dylan “Spokesman of a Generation” which he resented.
Key Tracks:
Blowin’ In The Wind
Masters of War
A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Bringing It All Back Home: Bob Dylan (1965)
Dylan tired of being the pied piper and revolted. He expanded beyond folk music alienating fans. The album is split in two with electric and acoustic sides. The folk scene despised the electric. Dylan responded with “Maggie’s Farm” which basically told them where to go. He even avoided protest songs.
Key Tracks:
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Maggie’s Farm
Mr. Tambourine Man
Highway 61 Revisited: Bob Dylan (1965)
Unlike Bringing It All Back Home which was half electric and half acoustic, Dylan stayed plugged in for Highway 61 Revisited. The one exception was “Desolation Row” which is about some carnies accused of rape. The album features many Dylan concert standards including his signature song “Like a Rolling Stone.” The album’s name derives from Highway 61 which tied Minnesota to America’s great music cities of St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans.
Key Tracks:
Like A Rolling Stone
Tombstone Blues
Desolation Row
Blonde on Blonde: Bob Dylan (1966)
Most double albums should not be double albums. Blonde on Blonde is an exception to the rule. Dylan expands his examination of rock and blues music. The album marked an end of an era. After its release, Dylan crashed his motorcycle and changed his musical approach.
Key Tracks:
Rainy Day Women #12 and 35
Just Like A Woman
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Blood on the Tracks: Bob Dylan (1975)
Blood on the Tracks rejuvenated both fans and critics who questioned Dylan's recent work. Although he denies it, the album appears autobiographical. Dylan was going through a troubled period in his personal life. He claims that most of the songs were inspired by Anton Chekhov. On the other hand, Dylan admitted “Tangled Up In Blue” was based in part on his experiences. Either way, the artist has a hard time understanding why fans love an album so filled with someone’s pain.
Key Tracks:
Tangled Up In Blue
Shelter From The Storm
If You See Her, Say Hello
Machine Head heavily influenced metal. Although not a metal record, it is best defined as proto-metal. “Highway Star” is considered an early speed metal tune. “Smoke on the Water” contains one of the greatest riffs in music history and recounts a fire at a casino in which Frank Zappa was performing. Music fans that worship early Zeppelin and Sabbath should include Machine Head in their canon.
Key Tracks:
Smoke on the Water
Space Truckin’
Highway Star
Pyromania: Def Leppard (1983)
Def Leppard made the leap to the big leagues with Pyromania. The album successfully bridged the gap between popular music, metal, and rock. Def Leppard partially recorded the album with Pete Willis. The band fired the guitarist for overindulging in alcohol. His replacement, Phil Collen, fit perfectly with the band and passed his audition with a blazing solo on “Photograph.” After reaching the pinnacle, Def Leppard underwent a series of trials before returning to dominate the charts.
Key Tracks:
Photograph
Foolin’
Rock of Ages
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
Die Hard the Hunter
Hysteria: Def Leppard (1987)
Pyromania transformed Def Leppard into superstars. On December 31, 1984, drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in an auto accident. He retrained himself on the drums and returned to the band. After production delays, bloated expenses, and a change in producers, the group finally released Hysteria. At the time, it was the longest rock album ever recorded. The work reached #1 everywhere and went diamond with over 12 million copies sold. The success did not occur until the band released “Pour Some Sugar On Me” as a single. Once that hit the street and appeared on radio, the album exploded.
Key Tracks:
Animal
Love Bites
Pour Some Sugar On Me
Armageddon It
Hysteria
Gods of War
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs: Derek and the Dominoes (1970)
Some consider Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs Eric Clapton’s greatest achievement. Clapton experienced the super group dynamic with Cream and Blind Faith and wanted out. In order to avoid hype, Clapton toured small clubs under an assumed name. After the tour, Derek and the Dominoes recorded the legendary album in a Miami studio. Derek and the Dominoes was an ensemble act consisting of Eric Clapton, keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, drummer Jim Gordon, bassist Carl Radle, and the great Duane Allman. The album’s best known work, “Layla” recounts Clapton’s anguish over George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd. On a side note, Boyd also influenced The Beatles’ “Something” meaning she influenced two of rock’s greatest songs.
Key Tracks:
Bell Bottom Blues
Tell The Truth
Layla
Brothers in Arms: Dire Straits (1985)
Brothers in Arms was one of the first albums directed toward the CD market. Digitally recorded, the album became the first CD to outsell its LP format and to sell over a million copies. Dire Straits really created two albums. The first portion was classic Dire Straits arena based classic rock. The second half was subdued and folksy. The video for “Money For Nothing” is one of the most played in MTV history and aided in the albums success.
Key Tracks:
So Far Away
Money For Nothing
Walk of Life
Brothers in Arms
The Doors: The Doors (1967)
The Doors debut album not only introduced the band, but came to define it. “Break on Through” is the band’s call to expand the boundaries of existence. “Back Door Man” and “Alabama Song” are both covers, but seem to be biographical depictions of Jim Morrison. “The End” explores Morrison’s Oedipal complex. “Light My Fire” broke the band and became its signature song. With so much variety and vitality on the album, The Doors became a greatest hits album.
Key Tracks:
Break On Thru (To The Other Side)
Light My Fire
The End
Alabama Song
The Chronic: Dr. Dre (1992)
Dr. Dre broke away from NWA and went solo. His solo debut’s title references street slang for marijuana. The G-funk sound revolutionized gangsta rap for the next few years. He included Funkadelic beats, live instruments, and soul making slower, mellower music. Instead of calling for revolution or a party, Dre provided a middle ground.
Key Tracks:
Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang
Fuck wit Dre Day
Let Me Ride
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan (1963)
Bob Dylan’s first album only included two original songs. His second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, contained eleven. The album is catalogue of early sixties folk classics. The album is an account of the period with reports on civil rights, nuclear warfare, and modern anxiety. The album made Dylan “Spokesman of a Generation” which he resented.
Key Tracks:
Blowin’ In The Wind
Masters of War
A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall
Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
Bringing It All Back Home: Bob Dylan (1965)
Dylan tired of being the pied piper and revolted. He expanded beyond folk music alienating fans. The album is split in two with electric and acoustic sides. The folk scene despised the electric. Dylan responded with “Maggie’s Farm” which basically told them where to go. He even avoided protest songs.
Key Tracks:
Subterranean Homesick Blues
Maggie’s Farm
Mr. Tambourine Man
Highway 61 Revisited: Bob Dylan (1965)
Unlike Bringing It All Back Home which was half electric and half acoustic, Dylan stayed plugged in for Highway 61 Revisited. The one exception was “Desolation Row” which is about some carnies accused of rape. The album features many Dylan concert standards including his signature song “Like a Rolling Stone.” The album’s name derives from Highway 61 which tied Minnesota to America’s great music cities of St. Louis, Memphis, and New Orleans.
Key Tracks:
Like A Rolling Stone
Tombstone Blues
Desolation Row
Blonde on Blonde: Bob Dylan (1966)
Most double albums should not be double albums. Blonde on Blonde is an exception to the rule. Dylan expands his examination of rock and blues music. The album marked an end of an era. After its release, Dylan crashed his motorcycle and changed his musical approach.
Key Tracks:
Rainy Day Women #12 and 35
Just Like A Woman
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat
Blood on the Tracks: Bob Dylan (1975)
Blood on the Tracks rejuvenated both fans and critics who questioned Dylan's recent work. Although he denies it, the album appears autobiographical. Dylan was going through a troubled period in his personal life. He claims that most of the songs were inspired by Anton Chekhov. On the other hand, Dylan admitted “Tangled Up In Blue” was based in part on his experiences. Either way, the artist has a hard time understanding why fans love an album so filled with someone’s pain.
Key Tracks:
Tangled Up In Blue
Shelter From The Storm
If You See Her, Say Hello
