Recognized as madness by its own creator, The Dreaming, is Kate Bush’s avant-garde zenith in a career defined by convention-bending compositions. As first-time chief producer (a title she would carry for the rest of her recording career), Bush pushes the conceived boundaries of the medium to daring and often dizzying new heights. On this record, she authors a storybook of whimsical vignettes in which she shapeshifts from lead role to another. Whether it be a clumsy bank robber, a Viet ... read more

A work of self-imposed ageist-torment. Robert Smith (then 29) knew bands of the past all created their crowning achievement within their twenties. And with little time to spare, the mercurial frontman locked himself in isolation and wrote tirelessly. The dread would pay off as Smith’s voracious appetite for his band’s masterpiece was sated. Disintegration is every bit a fever dream as it is opulent euphoria. Its wall-to-wall enchantment of lush soundscapes (Plainsong’s opening ... read more

For the better half of a decade, George Harrison played the part of the world’s most famous third wheel. Behind the legendary Lennon-McCartney partnership, his contributions would often go by the wayside. But as the band neared its closing chapter (The White Album and Abbey Road), Harrison would blossom as a songwriter, penning some of the group's most enduring songs. So when the Fab Four did eventually split, “The Quiet Beatle” had enough shelved material for a gargantuan ... read more

Within Paranoid’s opening minute, the world is brought to its knees. Blaring air-raid sirens and screeching riffs shroud the apocalypse. From the remainder of its bloodshed angst-fueled opener, resort to drug dependency (“Hand of Doom”) and run-in with London’s brusque youth (“Fairies Wear Boots”), the paranoia persists. And eventually that sense of dread burrows into the conscience who dare approach it. Black Sabbath’s doomful expertise spearheaded by ... read more

If it wasn't apparent from its raucous opening transmission, London Calling is an unforgiving declaration of impending armageddon. Turmoil from within the band and their respective hometown caused Joe Strummer and Mick Jones to channel their anger into exhaustive writing sessions. Within a span of a few weeks, they amassed enough material to stamp into a double album. The result: The Clash’s most diverse sounding record, as they peel back the curtain of the downtrodden capital with ... read more

Talking Heads’ eclectic crowning achievement. Assembling sounds and ideas from a multitude of genres, Remain in Light blends them together in only what can be considered a musical concoction. And what bubbles to the surface is an unrelenting (and later eerie) funk masterpiece. The opening sermon of “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)” sees David Byrne step into the role of a manic preacher (a recurring theme throughout the record). Accompanied by his devotees, they deliver ... read more

Breakthrough album that ushered in one of popular music’s most innovative minds. 1999 is seventy minutes of unadulterated synth funk imbued with Prince’s raging sexuality. A sound that was established in his earlier works (Dirty Mind and Controversy) but now refined and palatable for a mainstream audience. With the doomsday party anthem of the title track followed up by the clever wordplay of “Little Red Corvette”, Prince staked his claim for pop superiority. Commercial ... read more

Quintessential hard rock record. The fourth and final installment of the self-titled series exemplifies the incredible talent of the band as all four members were at the peak of their powers. Invigorating riffs, powerful vocal performances and great songwriting gives each song its distinct flair. The boisterous pairing of “Black Dog” and “Rock and Roll” juxtaposed with the mellow and folkloric “Battle of Evermore" and all-time classic “Stairway to ... read more

Prog rock perfection. From front to back, Close to the Edge is enchanted with a diverse and terrifically performed sonic palette all of which coalesces into one beautiful musical passage after another. The multi-chaptered voyage of the opener alone introduces four mind-bending compositions culminating in the ethereal organ solo. “And You and I” adds another quartet of blissful pieces that teeters on quaint acoustic and cosmic adventure. “Siberian Khatru” is a thrilling ... read more

Violator is a flawless fusion of darkwave and synthpop. Immaculately produced, every track offers a rich listening experience. And as the cover art may suggest, Violator oozes with gloomy near sinister soundscapes. The seductive vocal delivery of “Sweetest Perfection”, the alluring synths of “Waiting for the Night” and the brooding lyrics of “Blue Dress” all contribute to the sensual worldbuilding. Enjoy the twisted yet deeply romantic universe Depeche Mode ... read more

Pink Floyd’s legendary run continues. Animals marks the beginning of Roger Waters grabbing hold of the creative reins undertaking the majority of the songwriting duties. Similar to their previous works, Animals is another concept album, this time drawing inspiration from the Orwell classic, Animal Farm. Track titles allude to the dichotomy of socioeconomic hierarchies and within them their respective classes. Like its predecessor, Animals is a scant five tracks with a bulk of the runtime ... read more

Coming off the unfathomable success of The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd once again reach musical transcendence, this time with a story that’s far more personal. Two years have passed since the group were propelled into worldwide superstardom and that exposure was beginning to wane on them. Morale gradually withered away and members grew distant. Early recording sessions would amount to little progress as the band would prefer to get drunk and play games. Not all was lost in those ... read more

Heavily under-appreciated, Fulfillingness’ First Finale is another master class of soul and funk by Stevie Wonder. Due to the nature of where this record lands in his career (wedged in between two titans, Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life) it is often forgotten. While Wonder’s more acclaimed albums are larger in scope thematically, Fulfillingness’ First Finale sees Stevie take a more introspective and doleful approach. A decision that could be attributed to his near ... read more

Plays like the continuum of the human condition. Exploring themes of anxiety, greed, senseless strife and death, Pink Floyd takes the listener across a seamless sonic journey. The Dark Side of the Moon is a true triumph of art. Every song is meticulously constructed and woven together so elegantly it creates this out-of-body listening experience. This record is absolutely deserving of the constant praise and worldwide acclaim it has been showered with. And despite all that many would argue this ... read more

Years removed from the departure of Ziggy Stardust and its subsequent iterations, Bowie was in search of a new persona to embody. Station to Station would usher in Bowie’s most sinister and controversial character to date; the Thin White Duke. A blend of fascist ideology and cocaine benders, the ghastly figure would be accompanied by slicked back hair and a black waistcoat. Bowie’s new creation wastes no time introducing himself as he proclaims his return on the opening lines of the ... read more

Chapter two of the Berlin Trilogy, “Heroes”, released within the same year as its predecessor and the only one recorded entirely in its namesake, is another foray into the world of electronic and ambient music. Given the historical context of Bowie’s encampment in the German capital, it's evident that it had an omnipresent influence on the record and look no further than the title track. Peering out of the studio window, Bowie spotted two lovers convened by the Berlin Wall. ... read more

Perfect art pop record that illustrates the musical brilliance of Kate Bush. Incredibly forward thinking sonically and conceptually to this day, Hounds of Love serves as the auditory equivalent of a serene dream state turned into a hellish nightmare. Divided into two halves, the first (of the same name as the record) serves as a collection of flawless accessible pop tracks while the second, The Ninth Wave, dabbles with the experimental. In these seven tracks, Kate flexes her storytelling ... read more

Placed firmly in the middle of his “classic period”, Innervisions cements Stevie Wonder’s place in the pantheon of musical excellence. Already at a level many artists would aspire to be at, Wonder manages to widen the ever-expanding gap. Through the record’s nine tracks, Wonder touches upon drug abuse, race relations, spirituality, presidential ineptitude and love with effortless proficiency. In an album chocked full of incredible high points, one stands out amongst the ... read more

They saved their best for last. The album starts with the band’s greatest opener; “Come Together” a blues infused track that works to lay the foundation sonically. The following tracks are what to expect of a Beatles’ record: a blend of whimsical “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer”, “Octopus’s Garden” and conventional “Something”, “Oh! Darling”. To close out the first leg of the record, the incredible “I Want You ... read more

A landmark record in the canon of music. Gaye challenged the conventions of what music should be about. Entrenched in a standoff with Motown’s Berry Gordy, Gaye held his ground and ultimately won. The success of the titular track and subsequent record empowered the artist to make profound statements in their music, opening the doors for the likes of Stevie Wonder and other socially astute musicians. What’s Going On is a beautiful soul record with incredible vocals, poignant ... read more