Pink Floyd | The Wall – Classic Commentary

Pink Floyd's The Wall was bound for greatness despite the financial woes and internal friction brewing between the band's principals — Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Rick Wright, and Nick...

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...

Queen | A Night At The Opera – Classic Commentary

In and around the mid 70s, there was a cluster of different styles and temperaments stirring around in the pop music kettle. With progressive, glam and hard rock all...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...