Black Sabbath | Sabbath Bloody Sabbath – Classic Commentary

When it comes to Black Sabbath albums, the go-to’s seem to be the first three — Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master Of Reality. There’s little argument that these early...

Carole King | Tapestry – Classic Commentary

The story has all the makings of a splendiferous fairy tale: Brill Building songwriter goes solo and her second record becomes one of the biggest selling albums of all time....

Jethro Tull | Aqualung – Classic Commentary

In a previous write-up on Jethro Tull's Aqualung, I boldly proclaimed that the album, released in 1971, had ingrained itself into the rock stratum forever. On its 40 anniversary,...

Paul McCartney & Wings | Band On The Run – Classic Commentary

Band On The Run remains a standout among recordings by Paul McCartney that followed the Beatles’ 1970 break-up. With the shadow of the beloved Fab Four hanging precariously overhead, it...

Bruce Springsteen | Born To Run – Classic Commentary

Born To Run is the album that put Bruce Springsteen on the cover of both Newsweek and Time. It is a timeless snapshot of Americana — all sweaty, high energy, tuned...

Bob Dylan | Blonde On Blonde – Classic Commentary

There's no denying that Blonde On Blonde, rock's first double album, was a pivotal step forward for Bob Dylan. With Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited, Dylan had...

Cheap Trick | At Budokan – Classic Commentary

In 1978, if you wanted a copy of Cheap Trick's At Budokan, you had to plop down $11.99 for the Japanese import. Epic, in their infinite wisdom, eventually released the...

George Harrison | All Things Must Pass – Classic Commentary

The first box set of any consequence, All Things Must Pass is representative of everything George Harrison ever wanted to do, but was – at that time – never allowed to...

The Rolling Stones | Beggars Banquet – Classic Commentary

So many musical puzzles fell together in 1968. The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix lead the way with career-defining albums released in November. Somehow, though, the Rolling Stones got in...

The Doors | The Doors – Classic Commentary

As debut albums go, The Doors packed a punch that still reverberates to this very day. Jim Morrison was young and hungry, ready to take a big bite out of the...