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Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix
Not all albums stand the test of time, but plenty do and Australian music critic Stevie Nix will bring one to you each week. He'll cover all eras and most genres and tell you why each record is so revered and, equally, why it deserves to be. And he only uses six songs to do it.
Episodes
52 episodes
Lemonade by Beyonce
At its core, Lemonade is a narrative through the stages of heartbreak, anger, forgiveness and triumph. Structured around traditional elements of a relationship drama, the album creates a cohesive experience where each track builds upon...
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Season 6
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Episode 2
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38:02
Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin
In the pantheon of rock music, few albums stand as tall as Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album. Released in November 1971, it represents not just the peak of Led Zeppelin's creative powers, but a perfect convergence of hard rock, folk, blues, ...
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Season 6
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Episode 1
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34:53
Crime Of The Century by Supertramp
Released in 1974, this was the album that transformed Supertramp from struggling British rockers into international stars. It was their third record, but in many ways, it felt like a debut – a complete reinvention that showcased the band's newf...
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Season 5
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Episode 10
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40:05
Little Earthquakes by Tori Amos
Little Earthquakes was a seismic shift in the landscape of alternative rock and feminist expression. Tori Amos, with her virtuosic piano playing and raw, confessional lyrics, crafted a collection of songs that were both deeply personal...
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Season 5
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Episode 9
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35:57
Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens
Carrie & Lowell masterfully examines the multifaceted nature of grief. Grief, as portrayed in the album, is neither linear nor predictable; instead, it manifests in myriad forms — anger, denial, bargaining, depression, and acceptan...
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Season 5
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Episode 8
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38:20
The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground, Nico
The Velvet Underground & Nico's 1967 debut fundamentally reshaped rock music's DNA. The album created blueprints for glam rock's sexual ambiguity, punk's raw energy, and the distorted landscapes of grunge and noise rock. Though initially un...
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Season 5
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Episode 7
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40:14
Rattlesnakes by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
Released in 1984, Rattlesnakes is a literary journey wrapped in melody; a collection of songs that transformed pop music's intellectual landscape. Lloyd Cole’s lyrics are laced with cultural references, wry humor, and a deep sense of l...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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33:43
Blackstar by David Bowie
Blackstar is simultaneously a personal farewell, a philosophical exploration, and a radical musical statement. Each track contains multiple layers of musical and conceptual meaning, rewarding repeated listening and deep analytical engagement. R...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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39:17
Back In Black by AC/DC
Back In Black transformed personal tragedy into a universal artistic statement. It transcended traditional rock album expectations and represented a perfect fusion of technical musical expertise and raw emotional energy. The record's m...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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35:48
Harry's House by Harry Styles
Harry's House is more than just a collection of songs; it's a cultural statement. Styles has consistently used his platform to challenge traditional notions of masculinity, fashion, and artistic expression and this album continues that...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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37:21
Paranoid by Black Sabbath
Paranoid is one of the most transformative albums in rock history. Released in 1970, Paranoid is a bridge between the blues-rock experimentation of the late 1960s and the full-blown heavy metal movement that would dominate the...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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40:44
Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder
Released in 1976, this remarkable double album wasn't just a collection of songs - it was a stunning 21-track journey through soul, funk, jazz, and classical music that tackled everything from the joy of new parenthood to the complexities of ra...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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38:53
Definitely Maybe by Oasis
Definitely Maybe was an immediate commercial success, becoming the fastest-selling debut album in British history at the time. And, today, 30 years later, it stands as a testament to the continuing power of rock 'n' roll to capture a m...
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Season 4
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Episode 10
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37:26
Little Creatures by Talking Heads
Little Creatures represents the band’s shift toward a more accessible sound while retaining their characteristic wit and introspection. It bridges the experimental art-rock ethos of their earlier work with a new focus on melody and Ame...
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Season 4
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Episode 9
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39:43
Cosmo's Factory by Credence Clearwater Revival
Cosmo's Factory captured CCR at their commercial and artistic peak. The album topped charts worldwide and spawned multiple hit singles, but more importantly, it represented the fullest realisation of the band's artistic vision. It's th...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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33:09
Grace by Jeff Buckley
In the pantheon of contemporary music, few albums have achieved the mythical status of Jeff Buckley's "Grace" — a record that transcends time, genre, and the tragic brevity of its creator's life. Released in 1994, the album stands as a testamen...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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40:01
Brian Wilson Presents Smile by Brian Wilson
Back in 1966, Wilson set out to create what he called a "teenage symphony to God." Fresh off the artistic triumph of Pet Sounds and the revolutionary single Good Vibrations, Wilson collaborated with lyricist Van Dyke Parks to ...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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38:59
The Grey Album by Danger Mouse
Released in 2004, The Grey Album is often regarded as one of the most groundbreaking and transformative albums in the world of hip hop, remix culture, and music production. A remarkable fusion of two iconic cultural artifacts — The Bea...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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37:18
In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra
Released in 1955, In the Wee Small Hours is more than just an album; it is a transformative work that redefined what popular music could achieve. Often hailed as one of the earliest and most significant concept albums, it stands as a g...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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34:27
The Joshua Tree by U2
The Joshua Tree was U2’s fifth studio album, and marked a departure from the ambient experimentation of their previous LP, The Unforgettable Fire. U2 aimed for a more direct and impactful sound while adhering to conventional s...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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36:54
Otis Blue by Otis Redding
Otis Blue is undeniably one of the most important soul albums ever made. Released in 1965, it solidified Otis Redding as a monumental voice in music, someone whose influence would extend far beyond his years. At the heart of the album ...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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32:45
Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys
Paul’s Boutique is a classic because it represents a daring step forward in the evolution of hip-hop and music production. At a time when hip-hop was still relatively new to the mainstream, the Beastie Boys and the Dust Brothers pushed...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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30:12
Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings
Band on the Run is one of Paul McCartney’s most cohesive works, blending rock, blues and pop with introspective and escapist themes. The album’s creation was an exercise in adaptability and artistry, and that sense of freedom and adven...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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33:32
World Without Tears by Lucinda Williams
World Without Tears is a great album not only because it explores universal experiences like love, loss, pain and resilience, but because it does so with a rawness and unflinching honesty that few albums dare to approach. Williams uses...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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31:47
