The performances on Frusciante’s debut solo album are unpolished, feeling like first-takes of ideas. But the ideas are solid and fit snugly into his songwriting canon.
Read moreNeil Young & Crazy Horse’s ‘Live Rust’ Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
A perfect demonstration of the power of Young and of Crazy Horse: the ability to give in to the Id, for mere moments, before snapping back, just in time, preserving the structure of the song.
Read moreTom Petty’s ‘Wildflowers’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
‘Wildflowers’ isn't a tribute album, though, nor is it Petty looking back. Rather, ‘Wildflowers’ represents Petty looking inside of himself.
Read moreR.E.M.’s ‘Monster’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
A wonderful album with very strong songs, ‘Monster’ suggests R.E.M.'s desire to go from a studio band to a full-blown arena-rocking band was more aspirational than achievable in practice.
Read moreAerosmith’s ‘Pump’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
As the ‘80s drew to a close, Aerosmith recognized that their long-term survival required a musical edge and they brought it to ‘Pump.’
Read moreRed Hot Chili Peppers’ ‘Mother’s Milk’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
The band’s fourth studio affair showcased the band’s musical evolution, priming the path for the breakthrough that would arrive two years later with the arrival of ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magik.’
Read moreStevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble’s ‘In Step’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
While the music featured across ‘In Step’ might not have been traditional, straight-ahead blues, lyrically, Vaughan found a place as stark and as honest as any blues singer.
Read moreStevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble’s ‘Couldn’t Stand the Weather’ Turns 40 | Album Anniversary
Even without Vaughan succumbing to the lure of pop music, his second studio album was popular, making meaningful waves in the Billboard 200 chart and across MTV.
Read moreTom Petty’s Debut Solo Album ‘Full Moon Fever’ Turns 35 | Album Anniversary
‘Full Moon Fever’ suggests that Petty may have been ready for a new band, if only for an album or so, and the solo record presented the opportunity to explore a Heartbreaker-less life.
Read moreMuddy Waters’ ‘Folk Singer’ Turns 60 | Album Anniversary
‘Folk Singer’ isn't typical Muddy Waters fare, but it's an important album nonetheless and served as a great segue into the not-so-distant past of Blues music.
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