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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
44 episodes
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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34:58
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
Wild Wood by Paul Weller
Wild Wood is one of the defining moments in Paul Weller’s career, firmly establishing him as a solo artist with remarkable depth, versatility and a newfound creative voice. The album emerged from a period of self-reflection and reinven...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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32:20
Red by Taylor Swift
At its core, Red is a concept album that encapsulates the tumultuous nature of love and relationships. It marks a significant milestone in Taylor Swift's artistic evolution. This album not only solidified her status as a dominant force...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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33:53
There's A Riot Goin' On by Sly & The Family Stone
Released in 1971, There’s a Riot Goin’ On captured the disillusionment and unrest of the early ’70s with a raw, almost haunting intensity. Gone were the bright, infectious grooves of Sly’s earlier work; in their place was a murky, intr...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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34:46
Dummy by Portishead
Dummy challenged conventional notions of what popular music could be. It blurred the lines between genres, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and electronica into a cohesive whole. The album’s haunting soundscapes and emotionally ch...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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33:17
The Final Cut by Pink Floyd
The Final Cut marks a turning point in Pink Floyd's history and, for many, represents the final chapter of the band's "classic" era. Composed and written largely by Roger Waters, the album grapples with post-war trauma, societal decay,...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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35:58
Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Ghosteen is more than just an album; it’s an ethereal journey through loss and healing, reflecting on themes of mortality and the quest for redemption. With its minimalist instrumentation, layered vocal harmonies and cinematic soundsca...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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37:02
Either/Or by Elliott Smith
Either/Or is an album that resonates deeply due to its exploration of universal themes — loneliness, existential questioning, and the search for meaning. Smith’s lyrical ability to express his innermost thoughts in relatable terms make...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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36:00
Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is often hailed as one of the greatest albums ever made for its revolutionary approach to songwriting, raw emotional honesty and the starkness of its sound. By exploring topics like disillusionment, abandon...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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35:36
The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan
The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is a landmark album that redefined the possibilities of modern music, blending artistic sophistication with social and personal commentary. Released in 1963, it captures a pivotal moment in history while addr...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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35:40
