Tapestry: Carole King (1971)
Tapestry is the longest charting album by a female artist in history. King enjoyed considerable success as a songwriter. She recorded her own versions of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, which she wrote. She added new songs to round out the album which sold over 25 million copies worldwide. The record proved so influential that two tribute albums were cut by various artists.
Key Tracks:
I Feel the Earth Move
It’s Too Late
You’ve Got a Friend
Face to Face: The Kinks (1966)
Face to Face provided the Kinks their artistic breakthrough. It highlighted Ray Davies songwriting abilities and growth. The band moved from a hard driving proto-punk band to full fledged artists complete with social commentary and witty observations.
Key Tracks:
Dandy
Rosie, Won’t You Please Come Home
Sunny Afternoon
Kiss: Alive! (1975)
Kiss struggled to sell albums and decided to risk a live album. They achieved notoriety as a live band and felt that it was worth a gamble. By this point, the band was surviving on their manager’s credit card. The project paid off and made the band superstars. On top of this, Alive! represented a landmark for live recordings as well.
Key Tracks:
Rock n Roll All Nite
Deuce
Strutter
Kiss: Destroyer (1976)
Kiss broke out with their previous album. The success of Alive! boosted the band’s confidence. The band added studio musicians as well as sound effects and other production additives. Some fans believed they sold out while the rock press shredded the work. Thirty years later, it is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
Key Tracks:
Detroit Rock City
God of Thunder
Shout It Out Loud
Beth
Tapestry is the longest charting album by a female artist in history. King enjoyed considerable success as a songwriter. She recorded her own versions of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, which she wrote. She added new songs to round out the album which sold over 25 million copies worldwide. The record proved so influential that two tribute albums were cut by various artists.
Key Tracks:
I Feel the Earth Move
It’s Too Late
You’ve Got a Friend
Face to Face: The Kinks (1966)
Face to Face provided the Kinks their artistic breakthrough. It highlighted Ray Davies songwriting abilities and growth. The band moved from a hard driving proto-punk band to full fledged artists complete with social commentary and witty observations.
Key Tracks:
Dandy
Rosie, Won’t You Please Come Home
Sunny Afternoon
Kiss: Alive! (1975)
Kiss struggled to sell albums and decided to risk a live album. They achieved notoriety as a live band and felt that it was worth a gamble. By this point, the band was surviving on their manager’s credit card. The project paid off and made the band superstars. On top of this, Alive! represented a landmark for live recordings as well.
Key Tracks:
Rock n Roll All Nite
Deuce
Strutter
Kiss: Destroyer (1976)
Kiss broke out with their previous album. The success of Alive! boosted the band’s confidence. The band added studio musicians as well as sound effects and other production additives. Some fans believed they sold out while the rock press shredded the work. Thirty years later, it is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
Key Tracks:
Detroit Rock City
God of Thunder
Shout It Out Loud
Beth
