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Homecoming (Album of the Day)
Sophomore slump? America couldn't tell you a thing about it; the trio's second album, HOMECOMING, was even better than their outstanding debut. The 1972 Warner Bros. collection boasts punchy instrumental arrangements (with prominent electric guitar and keyboards) and an irresistible set of songs – Dan Peek's “Don't Cross The River,” Gerry Beckley's “Only In Your Heart” and Dewey Bunnell's hauntingly beautiful “Ventura Highway” among them. With varied and sophisticated arrangements and top-flight harmonizing, this is among the most appealing soft-rock sets ever made, and was deservedly a Top 10 hit. Peek was born on this day in 1950, and in his honor we'll give HOMECOMING another spin.
The Red Shoes (Album of the Day)
Literature has always been a source of inspiration for Kate Bush, but for her seventh studio set, the U.K. singer-songwriter turned to cinema. Released in 1993, THE RED SHOES tips its hat to the Powell & Pressburger classic about a possessed dancer and was accompanied by a (Grammy-nominated) short film - but is much less theatrical than most of its predecessors. The dissolution of a relationship and the deaths of her mother and a bandmate left their mark on Bush, resulting in one of her most personal albums. From upbeat opener “Rubberband Girl” to more contemplative songs like “Moments of Pleasure,” the material is first-rate, and Kate is joined in the studio by such stellar guests as Prince, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. Bush's last new album before a 12-year hiatus, THE RED SHOES was a Platinum hit in England and remains a fan favorite.
The Long Run (Album of the Day)
Eagles closed out the decade they had so dominated with THE LONG RUN, the final studio album of the band's original incarnation (they would reunite when “hell froze over” in 1994). Three years after HOTEL CALIFORNIA, Eagles had checked out – but not quite left – the sense of discontent that marked that earlier smash. There's a dark and more urban edge to songs like “King Of Hollywood,” “Those Shoes” and closing track “The Sad Café,” though the album also includes a trio of Top Ten singles to keep the mood from getting too dour: “Heartache Tonight,” “I Can't Tell You Why” and the title track. The #1 album in the U.S. this week in 1979, THE LONG RUN wound up going 7-times Platinum to bring phase one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers' career to a graceful close.
Live 2003 (Album of the Day)
Following their successful debut, Coldplay became superstars with A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD, and the U.K. quartet was on the road supporting that set when they made their first concert album. LIVE 2003 was recorded at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion during the Australian leg of the band's world tour, and the CD-DVD captures Chris Martin and company in peak form. The mix of then-recent hits (“Clocks,” “In My Place”) and older favorites (“Yellow”) was a real crowd-pleaser, and new song “Moses” was exclusive to this collection. Released on this day in 2003 in America, LIVE 2003 shows Coldplay is as exciting and inspiring on stage as they are in the studio.
Marquee Moon (Album of the Day)
Television helped turn CBGB into a punk mecca, but when it came time to cut their debut album, the quartet were anything but fast and furious. Frontman Tom Verlaine meticulously mapped out the record, and when the band entered the studio, they were so well-rehearsed that most songs were recorded in one or two takes. Which isn't to say that MARQUEE MOON is sterile; guitarists Verlaine and Richard Lloyd bring a spirit of exploration that’s akin to the best jazz improvisation, even if the songs themselves - from opener “See No Evil” to “Prove It,” “Friction” and the near 10-minute title track - aren't far from garage rock. Championed as one of the greatest albums of all time by such outlets as Rolling Stone and NME, MARQUEE MOON comes out today on limited edition ultra clear vinyl as Rhino celebrates Rocktober 2022.
The Swing (Album of the Day)
With their fourth album, THE SWING, INXS took a further step toward international success. Lead single “Original Sin” was cut in New York with producer Nile Rodgers and guest vocalist Daryl Hall, the first time the sextet had recorded outside their native Australia. That song, “I Send a Message” and “Burn for You” were all Top 10 hits down under, and the collection topped the Aussie album chart. If the 1984 set only made it to #52 in the U.S., the band's mix of new wave, rock and dance had finally gelled. “I think it's still one of my favourite albums because it's very diverse and a lot of the tracks are danceable,” said INXS guitarist Kirk Pengilly years later. THE SWING is out now on blue opaque vinyl as part of Rhino’s Rocktober 2022 campaign.
I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You (Album of the Day)
I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY I LOVE YOU wasn't Aretha Franklin's first album (she'd previously recorded ten of them for Columbia Records), but it was the first she'd cut with a label and producer that truly “got” her, and that made all the difference. Powered by the iconic No.1 single “Respect,” the Jerry Wexler-produced Atlantic release is a master class in soul whose 11 lessons also include “Do Right Woman-Do Right Man,” “Baby, Baby, Baby” and the title track. Aretha's force-of-nature vocals, songwriting skills (she penned four of the 11 songs here) and piano work shine throughout, justifying the set's frequent inclusion in “Greatest Albums of All Time” lists from the likes of Rolling Stone and Q magazine. With I NEVER LOVED A MAN THE WAY I LOVE YOU, the Queen of Soul earned her crown!
Da Real World (Album of the Day)
Following a sensational debut, Missy Elliott got real with DA REAL WORLD. If the tone is sometimes dark (the collection is dedicated to the Columbine shooting victims), Elliott's commanding flow lights up such tracks as “All N My Grill,” “Hot Boyz (Remix)” and female empowerment anthem “She's a Bitch.” Timbaland co-produced the set, and along with his futuristic breakbeats, the 1999 Elektra album features an army of hip-hop guest stars including Beyoncé, Eminem, Lil' Kim and Aaliyah. The Platinum-certified DA REAL WORLD is one of the reasons Missy Elliott received a well-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame a year ago today.
American Life (Album of the Day)
Twenty years in the entertainment industry and such cataclysmic events as 9/11 and the Iraq War had given Madonna a new perspective on materialism by the time of AMERICAN LIFE. “I do think that we've become completely consumed with being rich and famous, our society has,” she noted. “Take it from me, I have all those things and none of them ever brought me one minute of happiness.” A concept album of sorts, the Maverick collection's social commentary is balanced by a striking fusion of acoustic and electronic music with the help of French producer Mirwais Ahmadzaï. Singles from the set included the title track, “Hollywood” and James Bond theme “Die Another Day” (which broke The Beatles' record for most Top 10 hits on this day in 2003). The Platinum-certified AMERICAN LIFE earned a pair of Grammy nominations and remains one of the more rewarding entries in Madonna's discography.
Summertime Dream (Album of the Day)
Inducted into Canada's Songwriter Hall of Fame, Gordon Lightfoot is among that nation's greatest musical exports and SUMMERTIME DREAM captures him at the peak of his popularity. Filled with outstanding originals, the Reprise collection reached #12 on the U.S. album chart; highlights include “Race Among the Ruins,” “I'm Not Supposed to Care” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” a Top 10 hit whose timeless feel belies the fact that the real-life maritime disaster it's based on happened mere months earlier – on this day in 1975. Just as important as the top-notch material are the performances, and Lightfoot is in great voice throughout SUMMERTIME DREAM with a backing band (including gifted electric guitarist Terry Clements and pedal steel ace Pee Wee Charles) that sounds equally inspired.