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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
36 episodes
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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37:11
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
To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
To Pimp a Butterfly is an album that transcended genre expectations and redefined the boundaries of hip-hop. Building upon the narrative-driven storytelling of good kid, m.A.A.d city, Lamar delved into even deeper explorations...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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36:56
Darkness On The Edge Of Town by Bruce Springsteen
Darkness on the Edge of Town is a landmark album that showcases Bruce Springsteen’s growth as a songwriter and artist. The album’s exploration of complex themes, from familial conflict and existential struggle to resilience and hope, m...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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31:24
Making Movies by Dire Straits
Making Movies is more than just an album — it’s a narrative experience that showcases Dire Straits’s ability to meld storytelling with intricate musical arrangements and emotional depth. Each song on the album speaks to the themes of l...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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31:41
I Never Loved A Man [The Way I Love You] by Aretha Franklin
The album's blend of gospel, R&B, and pop, combined with Franklin's powerful vocals and deeply personal lyrics, set a new standard for artistry in popular music. It became a cornerstone of soul music and a reflection of the social changes o...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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34:50
Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
In many ways, Let Love Rule is a response to the chaos and materialism of the late 1980s. Rather than succumbing to the trends of the time, Lenny Kravitz crafted an album that was deeply personal and reflective of his own values. The a...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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32:25
Tumbleweed Connection by Elton John
While Elton John has released many iconic albums over his long career, Tumbleweed Connection stands out as his most cohesive and conceptually ambitious work. It is a deep, immersive experience that prioritises storytelling and atmosphe...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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37:07
Blue Valentine by Tom Waits
Blue Valentine is one of Tom Waits’s most celebrated albums because it captures a pivotal moment in his artistic journey, where he expanded beyond his early jazz-influenced style into a grittier, more blues-inspired realm. This album w...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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38:03
Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea by PJ Harvey
Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea is often hailed as PJ Harvey's greatest album, and for good reason. Released in 2000, this seminal work marks a pivotal point in her career, showcasing a remarkable evolution in her artistry....
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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34:28
