Eagles | Hotel California – Classic Commentary

The peaceful, easy feeling the Eagles exuded in the early 70s had, by 1976, given way to a darker, more ominous sentiment. To begin, the band parted ways with...

Moody Blues | Seventh Sojourn – Classic Commentary

In November 1972, the Moody Blues released Seventh Sojourn, their aptly named seventh album. At the time, rock was becoming an extremely complex palette on which to navigate and...

Deep Purple | Machine Head – Classic Commentary

Deep Purple's Machine Head was not made under favorable circumstances. The band was originally scheduled to begin recording at The Casino in Montreux, Switzerland, but, in their own words, "some stupid...

Supertramp | Breakfast In America – Classic Commentary

One of my fondest memories from my high school years, is from Spring 1979, sitting shotgun in my buddy Bill's Chevy Nova, managing yet another weekday afternoon drive home...

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...

Peter Frampton | Frampton Comes Alive! – Classic Commentary

In 1969, Peter Frampton emerged from the woodwork as the lead guitarist for Humble Pie. When he quit in 1971, the Pie had just released a phenomenal live album...

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....

Creedence Clearwater Revival | Cosmo’s Factory – Classic Commentary

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s fifth album, Cosmo’s Factory, was arguably the peak of the Bay Area band’s commercial run. It dented the number one spot on the charts for an...

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,...

The Who | Who’s Next – Classic Commentary

At the beginning of the 70s, the impact of Tommy weighed heavily on Pete Townshend's shoulders. How on earth would he and the Who top such a successful and...