Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

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 strippe...

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...

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 comple...

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 ...

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 ...

"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 intr...

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 D...

"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 f...

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 Will...

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 ...

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&qu...

"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, markin...

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, Wat...

One of the most iconic and influential albums of all time, The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock masterpiece that explores themes of time, mental illness, greed, death, and the human experience. Released in 1973, the album is known for its seamless flow, with each track blending into the next, creating an immersive sonic journey.

Musically, it features lush synthesizers, soaring guitar solos, ethereal vocal h...

Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album, released on February 14, 1985, introduced the world to one of the most powerful and iconic voices in music history. Blending pop, R&B, and soul, the album showcased Houston’s extraordinary vocal talent and set the stage for her legendary career.

Featuring timeless hits like "How Will I Know," "Saving All My Love for You," and "Greatest Love of All," the alb...

Elvis Is Back! is the tenth studio album by Elvis Presley, released on April 8, 1960. It marked his triumphant return to the recording studio after serving two years in the U.S. Army. The album showcased a more mature and versatile Elvis, blending rock and roll, rhythm and blues, pop, and even jazz influences into a polished and sophisticated sound.

The album features standout tracks like "Fever," where Elvis delivers a su...

Digital Underground’s debut album, Sex Packets, is a landmark in hip-hop, blending humor, funk, and creativity into a genre-defying masterpiece. Released in 1990, the album is heavily influenced by the P-Funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, led by the charismatic Shock G (and his alter ego, Humpty Hump). The group’s playful, irreverent style is on full display, along with innovative sampling and production that set it apart from th...

Actually is the second studio album by the British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on September 7, 1987. Building on the success of their debut album Please, Actually refined their signature blend of electronic dance-pop, witty lyricism, and social commentary.

The album features some of their most iconic tracks, including "It's a Sin," a dramatic, confessional anthem about religious guilt; "What Have I Done...

Wheels of Fire is the third studio album by the British rock band Cream, released in 1968. It is a double album, with one disc featuring studio recordings and the other containing live performances. The album blends blues, psychedelic rock, and hard rock, showcasing the virtuosity of Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals), Jack Bruce (bass, vocals), and Ginger Baker (drums, vocals).

The studio disc includes iconic tracks like "White Roo...