Category: Classic Rock History

"Something/Anything?" is a double album by American musician Todd Rundgren, released in February 1972. The album was his third solo release and is considered one of his best and most commercially successful works. I acquired this album almost by accident. My mother was at the local Musicland store buying some LPs for herself, and asked the cashier if he could recommend anything her son might like. This was his answer.

I found the unusual format of the album, the undeniable musicianship and the songs written with a range of emotion, from the sentimental to the quirky to the outright weird, quite refreshing given the bubblegum pop I was used to. These same elements would later draw me to groups like Crack The Sky.

Three sides of the album were recorded at I.D. Sound Studios, Los Angeles, and on an 8-track recorder and some studio equipment at his rented home in the Hollywood Hills, with Rundgren playing all instruments and singing all vocals, as well as being the producer. Two songs on side three were recorded with other musicians live in studio at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York. The final side contained a number of tracks recorded live in the studio without any overdubs, save for a short snippet of archive recordings from the 1960s.

The album features a diverse range of musical styles, from power pop and rock to soul and ballads, and is notable for Rundgren's mastery of multiple instruments, including guitar, piano, bass, and drums, as well as his exceptional vocal range.

The album's first side, described as "A Bouquet of Ear-catching Melodies", features a collection of short, catchy pop songs, including the hit single "I Saw the Light", "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" and "Wolfman Jack". The second side is described as "The Cerebral Side", while the third side, "The Kid Gets Heavy", features a mix of songs, including the single "Couldn't I Just Tell You".

The final side of the album, "Baby Needs a New Pair of Snakeskin Boots (A Pop Operetta)" features songs recorded live in studio at The Record Plant in New York, and includes the hit "Hello, It's Me," which was a reworked version of a song from Rundgren's previous band, The Nazz.

"Something/Anything?" was a critical and commercial success, reaching #29 on the US Billboard 200 chart and earning Rundgren a large and loyal fanbase. It has since been widely regarded as a classic of the singer-songwriter genre, and was included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

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The Yes Album is the third studio album by the British progressive rock band Yes, released February 19, 1971. It is considered a landmark album in the band's discography and a seminal work in the progressive rock genre.

The Yes Album marked a significant departure from the band's previous albums, featuring longer and more complex compositions with intricate arrangements and virtuosic instrumental performances. It was also the first album to feature guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks after the band's second album.

The album's track listing includes classic Yes songs such as "Yours Is No Disgrace," "Starship Trooper," and "I've Seen All Good People." These songs showcase the band's signature style, blending rock, jazz, and classical influences into a unique and innovative sound.

The Yes Album has been widely praised for its musical ambition, technical proficiency, and creative vision. It remains a beloved album among progressive rock fans and a key influence on subsequent generations of musicians.

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"Fleetwood Mac" is a British-American rock band that formed in 1967. "Rumours" is their eleventh studio album, released February 4, 1977. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time and is the band's most successful album, having sold over 45 million copies worldwide.

The album features the classic lineup of Fleetwood Mac, including Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood. It was recorded in California in 1976 and produced by Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut.

"Rumours" includes some of Fleetwood Mac's most iconic songs, such as "Go Your Own Way," "Don't Stop," and "Dreams," which was the band's only number-one single. The album also features notable tracks such as "The Chain," "You Make Loving Fun," and "Gold Dust Woman."

The lyrics on "Rumours" are famously autobiographical and reveal the turmoil and heartbreak that the band members were experiencing at the time, with several songs reflecting the romantic relationships and breakups among the band members. Despite the personal struggles that inspired the album, "Rumours" has a buoyant and catchy sound, with lush harmonies and intricate guitar work.

"Rumours" is considered a masterpiece of 1970s rock and remains a beloved classic to this day. Its enduring popularity and influence can be seen in the numerous covers, tributes, and references to the album that continue to appear in popular culture.

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"Harvest" is a critically acclaimed album by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young, released February 1, 1972. It is widely considered to be one of his most successful and influential albums.

The album features a mix of acoustic and electric songs, and is known for its introspective and melancholic tone. It includes some of Young's most famous songs, such as "Heart of Gold," which became his only #1 hit in the US, "Old Man," "The Needle and the Damage Done," and "Alabama."

"Harvest" was recorded with a group of musicians known as The Stray Gators, which included Kenny Buttrey on drums, Tim Drummond on bass, Jack Nitzsche on piano, and Ben Keith on pedal steel guitar. James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills, David Crosby and Graham Nash also contributed backing vocals on a few of the tracks.

In 1971, Young performed a few of the songs that would later appear on "Harvest" during a one-man acoustic live show on the BBC. He apologized to the small studio audience for playing some songs they were not familiar with, including "Old Man", "A Man Needs A Maid", and "Heart of Gold". They may have been the first to hear these Neil Young classics performed publicly.

The album was a commercial success, reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US, and receiving a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It has since been regarded as a classic of the singer-songwriter genre and is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time.

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"See" is the fifth studio album by the American rock band The Rascals, released December 15, 1969. The album was produced by The Rascals and Arif Mardin, and it features a blend of rock, soul, and psychedelic influences.

Some of the standout tracks on the album include "See," the album's title track, which features a trippy, psychedelic sound and features extended instrumental passages, as well as "I'd Like to Take You Home," a soulful ballad with a memorable horn arrangement, and "Nubia," a lengthy instrumental piece that showcases the band's improvisational skills.

Other notable tracks include "Real Thing," a funky soul song with a catchy chorus, and "Carry Me Back," a gospel-tinged ballad with beautiful harmonies.

The album received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising the band's musical experimentation and others criticizing the lack of cohesion between the album's various styles. However, "See" has since been recognized as an influential album of its time, showcasing The Rascals' willingness to explore new musical directions and pushing the boundaries of rock and soul.

"See" remains a notable album in The Rascals' discography, and a classic example of the experimental and genre-bending music that was popular in the late 1960s. The album remains a fan favorite and a classic of the late 1960s rock and soul era.

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Rubber Soul is a highly acclaimed album by the Beatles, released December 3. 1965. It marked a turning point in the band's career, as they began to move away from their earlier pop sound and experiment with more complex musical styles and themes.

The album features a mix of folk, rock, and soul influences, and includes some of the Beatles' most famous and enduring songs, such as "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)", "In My Life", and "Drive My Car". Other notable tracks on the album include "Michelle", "Girl", and "Nowhere Man".

Rubber Soul was also notable for its use of studio techniques, such as multi-tracking and varispeed, which allowed the Beatles to create innovative and layered soundscapes. The album's cover art, which featured a distorted image of the band's faces, also reflected the group's growing interest in experimental and avant-garde styles.

Rubber Soul is considered a groundbreaking album that helped to define the sound of 1960s rock and roll. It has been praised for its creative energy, musical experimentation, and thoughtful lyrics, and remains a beloved classic in the Beatles' catalog.

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The Derek and the Dominos album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" is considered a classic in the history of rock music. The album was released November 9, 1970 as a double album and is a collaboration between guitarist and singer-songwriter Eric Clapton, keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle, and drummer Jim Gordon. It would be the only studio album released by the group.

The album is most famous for its title track, "Layla," which is considered one of the greatest rock songs of all time. The song was inspired by Clapton's unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, the wife of his friend George Harrison. The track features a distinctive riff played by Clapton and Duane Allman, who also played slide guitar on the song.

In addition to "Layla," the album features a mix of blues, rock, and soul-inflected tracks, including originals "Bell Bottom Blues," "Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad," and "Tell The Truth." The songs showcase Clapton's virtuosic guitar playing and his soulful vocals, as well as the strong musicianship of the other members of the band.

Five covers on the album include the blues standards "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" (Jimmy Cox), "Key to the Highway" (Charles Segar, Willie Broonzy), and "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" (Billy Myles), a version of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing", and an up-tempo take on Chuck Willis's doo-wop ballad "It's Too Late".

"Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" received critical acclaim upon its release and has since become a classic album in the rock canon. It remains a beloved album among fans and musicians alike, and continues to influence generations of rock musicians.

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"Sheer Heart Attack" is the third studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on November 8, 1974, by EMI Records in the UK and Elektra Records in the US. The album marked a significant step forward for the band, both musically and commercially.

The album features a wide range of musical styles, including hard rock, pop, and progressive rock. It opens with the hard-rocking "Brighton Rock," which features a blistering guitar solo by Brian May. The album's lead single, "Killer Queen," became the band's breakthrough hit, reaching #2 on the UK singles chart and #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Other notable tracks on the album include "Now I'm Here," a hard-rocking anthem that features a memorable guitar riff, and "In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited," a bombastic and theatrical track that showcases Freddie Mercury's powerful vocals.

"Sheer Heart Attack" was also notable for its innovative production techniques, with the band experimenting with multitracking and other studio effects to create a dense and layered sound.

"Sheer Heart Attack" is considered to be one of Queen's most important and influential albums, and is often cited as a key influence on the development of hard rock and heavy metal music in the 1970s and beyond.

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"Bat Out of Hell" is the debut album by American rock musician Meat Loaf, released October 21, 1977. It was produced by Todd Rundgren and Jim Steinman, who also wrote all of the songs on the album. The album's title is shared by the nearly ten minute-long opening cut Steinman said was the result of wanting to write "the most extreme car crash song of all time".

"Bat Out of Hell" is known for its operatic and theatrical style, incorporating elements of rock and roll, pop, and classical music. The album tells a story of teenage love and rebellion, with themes of passion, death, and nostalgia. Meat Loaf's powerful and emotive vocals, combined with Steinman's dramatic and bombastic songwriting, create a unique and unforgettable sound.

The album includes several hit songs, including "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," and the title track "Bat Out of Hell." These songs are known for their catchy hooks, epic guitar solos, and memorable choruses.

Despite initially receiving mixed reviews, "Bat Out of Hell" became a massive commercial success, reaching number nine on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over 43 million copies worldwide. It has been widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rock albums of all time, and has spawned numerous sequels and adaptations, including a stage musical and a tour featuring Meat Loaf performing the album in its entirety.

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