Album of the Day

Named after a phrase from William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, The Ides of March emerged from the Windy City in the mid-1960s and by the end of the decade were challenging groups like Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears for horn-rock supremacy. After a few local hits, the group signed to Warner Bros. and cut one of the fastest-selling singles in the label’s history, “Vehicle,” which shot to No. 2 on the Billboard chart and became the title track to their debut album. Though recorded quickly, the 1970 collection is clearly the work of a band with well-honed instrumental chops (guitarist Jim Peterik would find further fame in Survivor), and whether playing hard rock, folk-rock and soul-influenced originals or ambitious covers of “Eleanor Rigby” and “Wooden Ships,” they’re impressive throughout VEHICLE.