In the pantheon of rock music, few albums stand as tall as Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album. Released in November 1971, it represents not just the peak of Led Zeppelin's creative powers, but a perfect convergence of hard rock, folk, blues, and mysticism. Through innovative recording techniques, peerless songwriting and unparalleled musicianship, Led Zeppelin created what many consider to be the definitive rock album of all time.Featured songs:Black DogMisty Mountain HopRock And RollGoing To CaliforniaStairway To HeavenWhen The Levee Breaks
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Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Released in 1974, this was the album that transformed Supertramp from struggling British rockers into international stars. It was their third record, but in many ways, it felt like a debut – a complete reinvention that showcased the band's newfound confidence and artistic vision. What makes this album special isn't just its commercial success, but how it merged progressive rock complexity with irresistible pop melodies. The partnership between Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies reached its creative peak here, combining sophisticated arrangements with themes of alienation, social pressure, and mental health – topics that feel just as relevant today as they did in 1974.Featured songs:SchoolBloody Well RightHide In Your ShellAsylumIf Everyone Was ListeningDreamer
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Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos
Little Earthquakes was a seismic shift in the landscape of alternative rock and feminist expression. Tori Amos, with her virtuosic piano playing and raw, confessional lyrics, crafted a collection of songs that were both deeply personal and universally resonant. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt silenced, marginalised, or misunderstood. It’s a call to arms for self-empowerment, a cathartic release for those grappling with their own inner demons, and a beacon of hope for anyone searching for their place in a world that often feels indifferent.Featured songs:CrucifyWinterChinaLeatherMe And A GunSilent All These Years
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Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
Carrie & Lowell masterfully examines the multifaceted nature of grief. Grief, as portrayed in the album, is neither linear nor predictable; instead, it manifests in myriad forms — anger, denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — all coexisting and intertwining in complex ways. In crafting this album, Stevens not only bares his soul but also offers a cathartic experience for the rest of us, inviting us to reflect on our own journeys of healing and self-discovery. Featured songs:Death With DignityShould Have Known BetterDrawn To The BloodFourth Of JulyThe Only ThingBlue Bucket Of Gold
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The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground, Nico
The Velvet Underground & Nico's 1967 debut fundamentally reshaped rock music's DNA. The album created blueprints for glam rock's sexual ambiguity, punk's raw energy, and the distorted landscapes of grunge and noise rock. Though initially unsuccessful commercially, the album demonstrated rock music's potential as a serious art form, effectively bridging high art and popular culture while creating a blueprint for underground music.Featured songs:Sunday MorningI'm Waiting For The ManFemme FataleVenus in FursHeroinThere She Goes Again
Not all albums stand the test of time, but plenty do and Australian music critic Stevie Nix will bring one to you each week. He'll cover all eras and most genres and tell you why each record is so revered and, equally, why it deserves to be. And he only uses six songs to do it.
Netherlands