Polyphonic Press - Classic Album Reviews
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Polyphonic Press is the show for music fans. Anywhere from the casual listener to the nerdiest of audiophiles. Each week, we review a classic album from a curated list of over one thousand releases, spanning multiples genres. At the top of each show, we have no idea what album we’re going to listen to. So we fire up the Random Album Generator and it gives the album of the week. Join us every Tuesday morning for a new classic album to discover!
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Workingman’s Dead (1970) is one of the Grateful Dead’s most celebrated and influential albums, marking a sharp turn from their earlier, more experimental psychedelic sound toward a rootsier, song-focused approach. Recorded quickly and on a tight budget after years of heavy touring and debt, the record draws heavily from folk, country, and Americana traditions. Its stripped-down arrangements, warm harmonies, and storytelling lyrics show the band’s deepening connection to American roots music a...
That’s the Way of the World (1975) is often considered Earth, Wind & Fire’s defining statement, blending soul, funk, jazz, and gospel into a sound that was both deeply spiritual and irresistibly danceable. Released at the height of the band’s creative powers, the album embodies the vision of Maurice White, who sought to create music that was uplifting, universal, and transcendent. With its mix of lush horn arrangements, intricate rhythms, and soaring vocals, the record stands as both a cu...
Before and After Science (1977) by Brian Eno is one of his most acclaimed solo albums, bridging his experimental rock sensibilities with the ambient style he would soon pioneer. The record is structured almost like two different worlds: the first half is energetic, angular, and rhythm-driven, while the second half drifts into ethereal, meditative territory. On the front side, tracks like “No One Receiving” and “King’s Lead Hat” showcase Eno’s playful, jagged approach to art-rock, brimming wit...
Forever Changes by Love, released in 1967, is a lush, intricate, and hauntingly beautiful blend of psychedelic rock, folk, and baroque pop. Recorded during a turbulent time for the band and for frontman Arthur Lee personally, the album stands apart from the louder, fuzz-driven sounds of the era by embracing a more acoustic, orchestral approach. Gentle guitars intertwine with mariachi-style brass, delicate strings, and Lee’s poetic, often cryptic lyrics that hint at paranoia, social unrest, an...
Left and Leaving is the second album by Canadian indie rock band The Weakerthans, and it’s often regarded as their defining statement. Released in 2000, the record blends literate, introspective lyrics with punk roots and folk-tinged melodies. Frontman John K. Samson, formerly of Propagandhi, brings a poet’s eye for detail and a novelist’s sense of character, crafting songs about lost love, aging ideals, hometown melancholy, and quiet resilience. Set against the backdrop of Winnipeg — a recur...
Low (1977) is David Bowie’s groundbreaking 11th studio album and the first installment in his celebrated "Berlin Trilogy," produced in collaboration with Brian Eno and Tony Visconti. Marking a radical departure from his previous glam rock sound, Low is split into two distinct halves: the first side features fragmented, experimental art rock and electronic pop songs, while the second side dives into haunting, ambient instrumentals. Recorded in the wake of personal turmoil and relocation to Wes...
Heavy Weather is the landmark 1977 album by jazz fusion supergroup Weather Report, and one of the genre’s defining records. Blending the virtuosity of jazz with the electricity of rock and the rhythmic sensibilities of funk and Latin music, the album finds the band at their creative peak. Led by keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and featuring the explosive fretless bass work of Jaco Pastorius, Heavy Weather introduced a new level of accessibility to jazz fusion without co...
Released in 2001, Is This It is the explosive debut album by The Strokes that helped reinvigorate rock music at the turn of the millennium. With its raw production, garage rock revival sound, and effortlessly cool aesthetic, the album quickly became a defining statement of early-2000s indie rock. Julian Casablancas’ detached, often distorted vocals, paired with choppy guitar riffs and tight, punchy rhythms, gave the album a stripped-down but infectious energy. Tracks like “Last Nite,” “Someda...
1999 by Prince, released in 1982, is one of the most iconic albums of the 1980s, blending funk, rock, pop, and new wave into a genre-defying masterpiece. The album is known for its innovative sound, with Prince experimenting with synthesizers, drum machines, and layered vocals. It tells stories of both hedonistic parties and deeper introspective themes, combining party anthems with existential questions. The album's title track, “1999,” is an upbeat, funky anthem about celebrating life and li...
Released in October 1990, Behaviour is the fourth studio album by British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys. Often regarded as their most introspective and mature work, the album marked a shift from the high-energy dance-pop of their earlier records to a more subdued, melodic, and reflective sound. Produced in collaboration with Harold Faltermeyer, Behaviour is characterized by warm analog synthesizers and lush orchestration, which complement the melancholic and thoughtful lyrical themes. Tracks li...
Released in 1966 by Philips Records, Wild Is the Wind is one of Nina Simone’s most emotionally potent and artistically rich albums. A collection of outtakes from previous sessions, the album transcends its piecemeal origins to form a hauntingly cohesive statement on love, longing, and personal turmoil. Simone’s vocal delivery is raw and deeply expressive, gliding effortlessly from tender vulnerability to defiant strength. The title track, “Wild Is the Wind,” is a masterclass in interpretation...
Talking Book is the fifteenth studio album by Stevie Wonder, released on October 27, 1972, by Tamla Records, a Motown subsidiary. Widely regarded as a landmark in soul and R&B music, the album marks a turning point in Wonder's career as he gained full creative control over his music. Blending elements of soul, funk, rock, and synthesizer-driven pop, Talking Book showcases Wonder’s innovative production, socially conscious lyrics, and emotional depth. The album features some of his most ic...
"Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" is the second studio album by American thrash metal band Megadeth, released on September 19, 1986, through Capitol Records. Widely regarded as one of the most influential albums in thrash metal, it solidified Megadeth's position as one of the genre’s “Big Four” alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Anthrax. The album showcases the band’s growing technical prowess, especially the intricate guitar work of Dave Mustaine and Chris Poland, and the tight rhythm section...
Close to You is the breakthrough album by the American pop duo The Carpenters, consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. Marking their second studio release, the album propelled them into the spotlight with its soft pop sound, lush orchestration, and Karen Carpenter’s signature warm, melancholic vocals. The album features the iconic title track "(They Long to Be) Close to You," written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, which became a number-one hit and earned the duo two Grammy Award...
"Safe as Milk" is the debut album by Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band, released in 1967. The record is a wild blend of blues, psychedelic rock, and experimental music, showcasing the unique and often eccentric vision of frontman Don Van Vliet (aka Captain Beefheart). While rooted in traditional electric blues, Safe as Milk already hints at the avant-garde style that would define Beefheart's later work. The album features intricate guitar work, odd rhythms, and surreal, poetic lyrics. It's...
Hot Rats is the second solo album by Frank Zappa, released in 1969. A groundbreaking fusion of rock and jazz, the album is mostly instrumental, featuring intricate compositions, virtuosic musicianship, and extended improvisations. It is widely regarded as one of Zappa’s most accessible works and a pioneering album in jazz fusion. The album’s six tracks highlight Zappa’s innovative guitar work, particularly on the standout track Willie the Pimp, which features the only vocal performance on the...
Catch a Fire is the fifth studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, released on April 13, 1973. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest reggae albums of all time and a key record in bringing Jamaican music to an international audience. This album was the band's first release under Island Records, with producer Chris Blackwell polishing their raw, roots reggae sound to appeal to rock audiences. The result was a fusion of reggae with rock and soul influences, featuring electric guitar so...
Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album, released on March 23, 1956, is a landmark in rock and roll history. As the first rock album to top the Billboard charts, it helped launch Presley into superstardom and solidified his status as a cultural icon. The album blends rockabilly, rhythm and blues, country, and pop, showcasing Presley's dynamic vocal style and magnetic stage presence. With hits like "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Tutti Frutti," alongside heartfelt ballads such as "I Love You Because,"...
"52nd Street" is the sixth studio album by Billy Joel, released on October 13, 1978. Following the massive success of The Stranger (1977), this album solidified Joel’s status as one of the premier singer-songwriters of the late '70s. The album blends rock, jazz, and pop influences, incorporating a more sophisticated, urban sound compared to its predecessor. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1980, marking a peak in Joel’s career. The title refers to the famous 52nd Street in Man...
My Aim Is True is the 1977 debut album by Elvis Costello, marking the arrival of one of rock’s sharpest songwriters. Blending elements of punk, new wave, and pub rock, the album delivers a raw yet sophisticated sound, filled with biting lyrics and infectious melodies. Backed by the American band Clover (before forming his own group, The Attractions), Costello crafts anthems of love, anger, and rebellion with tracks like Alison, Watching the Detectives, and Less Than Zero. With its nervy energ...
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