Underworld – Two Months Off
Underworld’s 2002 Two Months Off, lead single from A Hundred Days Off, opened the duo era after Darren Emerson with warmer keys and a UK No. 12.
Nina Simone – A piano that would not kneel
At Annie's Room in Soho, June 1965, Nina Simone's left hand pushes back under the voice.
NWA – Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.’s 1988 Straight Outta Compton opens the Ruthless/Priority debut with Ice Cube, MC Ren, and Eazy-E mapping Compton in three hard verses.
Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys
In the spring of 1966, while the Beach Boys toured Japan, Brian Wilson stayed in Los Angeles and built an album that no longer depended on the beach.
Noir Désir – Tostaky (Le Continent)
Tostaky (Le Continent), from Noir Désir's 1992 album Tostaky, is the hold-on shout that made the band a French rock flagship.
Bob Marley & The Wailers – A pulse wider than the island
Bob Marley & The Wailers turned Trench Town harmonies into Island Records reggae and a touring band whose rhythm section made the message travel without losing its Jamaican grammar.
Aerosmith – Walk This Way
Walk This Way, from Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic (1975), is Joe Perry's riff before the 1986 Run-DMC remake gave it a second chart life.
Afterlife Interview with John Bonham
Riffs and Beats finds John Bonham on an empty arena drum riser, back to the lights, sticks loose in both hands over a kit that still looks too big for anyone else.
Dare – Human League
The Human League’s 1981 Dare, rebuilt by Phil Oakey with Sulley, Catherall, and Martin Rushent, made Sheffield synth-pop a chart template via Don’t You Want Me.
Phoenix – 1901
1901 landed on 23 February 2009 as the lead single from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and later topped Billboard Alternative after a 31-week climb.