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Strange Days (Album of the Day)
Though The Doors’ debut was one of the musical highlights of 1967, it wasn’t the L.A. quartet’s only album that year. STRANGE DAYS followed in September and was another hit, peaking at #3 on the Billboard chart and featuring classics like “Love Me Two Times,” “When The Music’s Over” and the title track. Mixing new songs written on the road with some penned before the band’s debut, the Elektra collection benefits from an increased budget, access to an eight-track recorder and additional time to experiment in the studio. “We all thought it was the best album,” producer Paul Rothchild once said of STRANGE DAYS, and while there's strong competition for that title, give the platinum-certified set another spin and you may be inclined to agree.
Reinventing the Steel (20th Anniversary Edition) (Album of the Day)
Pantera had already earned a #1 album and several Grammy nominations by the time the band began recording REINVENTING THE STEEL. Released in 2000 at the peak of nu-metal’s popularity, the set’s back-to-basics approach flew in the face of the trend and served as a potent reminder of the enduring power of primal metal. A celebration of the skull-rattling sound the quartet had cultivated through the years, the collection features such highlights as “We’ll Grind That Axe For A Long Time,” “Goddamn Electric” and “I’ll Cast A Shadow.” Certified gold and embraced by fans and critics alike, the album would unexpectedly become the group’s last. The 3-CD REINVENTING THE STEEL: 20th ANNIVERSARY EDITION pairs a remastered version of the original with a disc of rarities and a new mix by Pantera's longtime producer Terry Date; we'll crank it up now to celebrate March Metal Madness!
Like a Prayer (Album of the Day)
Madonna's final album of the 1980s remains one of the performer's very best. Dedicated to the singer's mother, "who taught me how to pray," LIKE A PRAYER is among the most personal and soul-searching she has ever recorded. All 11 songs were co-written and co-produced by Madonna in varied arrangements informed by classic rock and funk (Prince was one of her collaborators), and the collection spun off four Top 10 singles - “Like a Prayer,” “Express Yourself,” “Cherish" and “Keep It Together” - as well as some striking videos (premiering on this day in 1989, the title track's video was particularly controversial). The commercial success of the quadruple platinum No.1 album was matched by its critical acclaim; with the ambitious LIKE A PRAYER, Madonna's status as one of pop's greatest artists was undeniable.
Parachutes (Album of the Day)
By the turn of the millennium, Brit-pop had pretty much run out of steam when a new band emerged to pick up the U.K. music torch: Coldplay. Following a handful of independent E.P,s, the quartet signed to Parlophone and their full-length debut, PARACHUTES, arrived in 2000. A wistful and atmospheric brand of alternative rock led by frontman Chris Martin's high, aching vocals, the album spun off four singles: “Shiver,” “Trouble,” “Don't Panic” and the hit that introduced the band to American audiences, “Yellow." The collection would eventually go double-platinum in the States, and earned critical plaudits as well, including a Best Alternative Music Album Grammy and a Brit Award for Best British Album. Today we'll unfurl PARACHUTES to wish Chris Martin a happy birthday.
Matters of the Heart (Album of the Day)
Tracy Chapman's breakthrough 1988 debut announced the arrival of a major talent in no uncertain terms, and four years later MATTERS OF THE HEART showed her continued growth as a singer-songwriter. As you might guess from its title, the 1992 Elektra set shifts some of the performer's focus from societal problems to personal concerns, but Chapman's nuanced lyrics and passionate delivery remain as persuasive as ever. Stylistically, the collection touches upon blues, jazz and world music while remaining listener-friendly; several seasoned hitmakers (including members of The Heartbreakers, The E Street Band and Bobby Womack) lend their instrumental skills to these ten originals. Direct and powerful, MATTERS OF THE HEART still cuts straight to the heart, and we'll give it another spin now to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Electric Youth (Album of the Day)
A true pop prodigy, Debbie Gibson was still in her teens when she cut her second hit album for Atlantic Records. For ELECTRIC YOUTH, Debbie split production chores with Fred Zarr, and penned all 11 songs herself, including “No More Rhyme,” “We Could Be Together” and “Lost in Your Eyes,” which became Gibson's second No.1 single this week in 1989. The collection as a whole topped the chart as well, racking up double-platinum sales to become the singer's most successful album. Debbie's pure voice and thoughtful lyrics on love and teen life make this bubbly dance-pop mighty irresistible - ELECTRIC YOUTH is as buoyant and energetic as its title suggests.
Made in Japan (Album of the Day)
Originally a progressive rock group with classical leanings, Deep Purple soon emerged as one of the greatest hard rock bands. The British quintet's early '70s “Mk II” lineup of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice followed three storming studio sets with a classic concert collection, MADE IN JAPAN. The double live album took the best songs from IN ROCK, FIREBALL and MACHINE HEAD and drove them to the breaking point to become Deep Purple's breakthrough in the U.S., selling more than a million copies. “That album was the epitome of what we stood for in those days,” noted keyboardist Lord, and MADE IN JAPAN captures the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers at the height of their powers.
Slip of the Tongue (Album of the Day)
Following the 8x platinum success of their eponymous album in 1987, Whitesnake returned two years later with its eighth studio set, SLIP OF THE TONGUE. At the time, the band included founder and lead singer David Coverdale, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Tommy Aldridge, and guitarists Adrian Vandenberg and Steve Vai. The 1989 EMI release became the group’s third consecutive platinum record, peaking at number 10 on the U.K. and U.S. album charts thanks largely to its two Top 40 hits – “Fool For Your Loving” and “The Deeper The Love.” Three decades after its release, this fan favorite still rocks ferociously, and SLIP OF THE TONGUE is an ideal way to celebrate March Metal Madness.
Miles & Quincy Live at Montreux (Album of the Day)
Along with Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis was the greatest trumpet player of all time and, like the legendary Satchmo, blazed trails in jazz that would inspire legions of followers. Quincy Jones' place in the musical pantheon is equally secure, with decades as a hit composer, arranger and producer on his resume. These two titans teamed for LIVE AT MONTREUX, a special reunion performance recorded at the famed Swiss music festival in 1991. Jones conducts both the Gil Evans Orchestra and the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band in support of Davis and other fine soloists playing arrangements Evans had done for such Miles masterpieces as SKETCHES OF SPAIN and PORGY AND BESS. Davis was rarely one to revisit his older music but Jones' persuasive powers helped make this fine set - the great trumpeter's final work – a reality. We'll wish Quincy Jones a happy birthday with LIVE AT MONTREUX.
Life After Death (Album of the Day)
The Notorious B.I.G. rose quickly to the top of East Coast hip-hop with a brilliant debut; unfortunately, Biggie's reign was brief - he was killed in 1997 just weeks before the release of his follow-up album, LIFE AFTER DEATH. Debuting at #1 on the Billboard Top 200, it was the first album to feature two back-to-back posthumous #1 singles - “Hypnotize” and “Mo Money Mo Problems” - and earned three Grammy nominations including Best Rap Album. The RIAA has awarded the collection a Diamond Certification for more than 5 million copies sold of the double-LP, and it was cited by Rolling Stone as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time. An 8-LP LIFE AFTER DEATH 25th ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE BOXED SET arrives in June; you can pre-order it now at Rhino.com.