91.3fm WYEP: Discumentary

Although not commercially successful, this album is a Kinks classic. A "concept" album about Ray Davies' desire for the nostalgia of "Olde England" is played out with songs about Village Greens, Steam Trains and Photographs.

This could be considered Robyn Hitchcock's break out album, but it's also the band's major label debut. Globe of Frogs demonstrates Hitchcock's quirky songwriting with members of the Soft Boys, R.E.M. and Squeeze along for the ride.

Armed with more than two turntables and a microphone, Beck's sophomore effort mixes various genres of music together, resulting in an album that bridges the gap between country and hip hop. Produced by the Dust Brothers, this is Beck's most talked about album.

Many call this a groundbreaking album, as it experimented with rapid electronic beats long before the word "techno" was ever thought up as a music genre. It was also tremendously successful commercially, generating three hits that were eased into popularity thanks to the newly assembled MTV.

James Brown and his 16-piece band did a weeklong stint at Harlem's Apollo Theater late in 1962. This live recording was financed completely by Brown, and he went against his record label's wishes to make it in the first place. The album has been called one of the greatest live albums ever recorded, and was on the album charts for close to a year and a half.

Nina Simone and her music were just being rediscovered in 2003, when she passed away at age 70. This album, a selection of blues originals and covers, is considered to be one of her most solid albums.

For Dar Williams' long time fans, hearing this album must have been rather shocking, like when Dylan went electric. Williams set aside her acoustic singer-songwriter side and released this more "plugged in" album that features drum machines and electric guitars backing up her soprano voice and colorful songwriting skills.

Shortly after the American Folk revival that followed the frenzy around the "O, Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings released this album filled with heartfelt folk songs.

Oasis' second album came somewhere between the band having the fastest selling debut in British history, and their declaration that they were bigger than the Beatles. This album is often considered one of the greatest albums in British rock.

Before this album was released Warren Zevon was a singer/songwriter with a few albums out. His biggest claim to fame was that Linda Ronstadt had recorded some of his songs. "Excitable Boy" was the big breakout album for him, containing the big hit "Werewolves of London", a song that takes days to get out of my head.

Eddie Vedder and Company were coping with the new found fame from their debut album when they recorded this follow-up. This album sealed them a hardcore fan base with seven of its twelve songs becoming hits.

Belle and Sebastian grew out of a class project and became a sensation in the U.K. due to word of mouth. Their third album, which is steeped in a wide array of musical influences, grew their audience even more, and earned them a coveted Brit Award.

Norah Jones' debut album took the world by storm, a jazz-inspired disc that started out as a favorite of critics. The album went on to sell more than 18 million copies. It also earned Jones eight Grammy Awards.

Iris Dement's debut album became a success mostly due to the rave reviews it received, many critics called it an instant classic. The reviews led to Dement signing a contract with Warner Brothers who re-released the disc in 1993. The album features guest appearances by Emmylou Harris and Iris' mother, Flora Mae.

This album began Blondie's rise to stardom, and rocketed them past many of their CBGB's contemporaries as far as commercial success goes. This album contains "Heart of Glass", their first (and definitely not their last) #1 single in the U.S.

The band's sophomore effort is considered one of the greatest albums of the nineties. With elements of power pop, psychedelia, and rhythm and blues mixed in with their signature sound, Being There shows Wilco's evolution from being just a country-rock band.

Some artists need to appear younger or hipper to appeal to a younger audience. Not Johnny Cash, he sat down with his guitar, and did the same thing that made him a legend many years ago. This album, produced by Rick Rubin, won Cash a whole new generation of fans.

The Beach Boys came of age with this album, which represented a new direction for the group. Filled with the Boys' perfect harmonies and Brian Wilson's obsessive production, Pet Sounds is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.

Coldplay rose to stardom with their debut album. The British quartet redefined the Brit-rock sound. This album is not only appreciated by music fans, but by music critics as well.

Mick Ronson produces this album, which some critics have called the fifth Smiths album. It blends Morrissey's voice with rockabilly and glam rock influences to create Morrissey's most solid solo effort to date.

Cole's sophomore release; this album went Gold pretty quickly thanks to the singles "Where Have all the Cowboys Gone" and "I Don't Want to Wait." But there's more than hit singles to this album, including a duet between Cole and her mentor, Peter Gabriel.

Part glam rock, part progressive rock, Bowie$#39;s classic redefined himself in the UK and made him a hit for the first time in the US.

Patti Smith's groundbreaking debut album, often called the first art punk album. Smith's fusion of poetry and music defines a unique style that she continues to develop to this day.

Marcia Ball mixes the blues with country honky-tonk and a little boogie on this album. This is the first album to showcase Ball's songwriting skills and it also features her notorious piano playing, that at times would make Jerry Lee Lewis jealous.

This is the breakout album for Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, it includes the single "Tomorrow People". Produced by Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club members Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz, this album is one of the top-selling reggae albums ever.

The Cranberries formed in Limerick, Ireland in 1990, and three years later they had their first of many Top 10 hits. The band's sound is defined by the vocals of Dolores O'Riordan, who co-writes the songs with bass player Noel Hogan.

This album is a series of demos that the Modern Lovers recorded in 1973 with John Cale of the Velvet Underground producing. It was released three years later three years after the band had broken up. Jonathan Richman used the Modern Lovers name on other projects he worked on, but the original line up of Richman, Jerry Harrison, David Robinson and Ernie Brooks went on to make a classic album, that is still highly regarded by critics.

The album that The Church is most renowned for, it features their smash single "Under the Milky Way". The U.S. breakthrough gave the Church a top forty hit and a Gold album, as well as sold out world tours.

After the demise of Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams went solo with the album Heartbreaker, to much critical praise. But it was his Gold album that broke him out into the mainstream, earning him crossover success and new legions of fans.

The The is the concept of its leader, Matt Johnson, the band's line-up varies from album to album. This time around his band featured Johnny Marr of the Smiths. Controversial and political in nature, Mind Bomb features songs with titles like like "The Beat(en) Generation" and "Armageddon Days are here (Again)".

This is the album that made this sixty-something year old gospel group known to more than the "masses". With a little help from Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Ben Harper, It won them their second Grammy award and it features songs from Prince, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfieldand even Parliament Funkadelic.

This is the third, last and most experimental album that The Jimi Hendrix Experience released. It shows Hendrix's versatility; not only as a guitarist, but also as a singer and producer. Even with its experimental nature, it generated a couple of hits for Hendrix at the time, and remains a legendary album today.

Miriam Mekaba's life has been an interesting one. From her beginnings as a South African jazz singer to her thirty year exile from her homeland. Mekaba chronicles these experiences on this disc, and also updates her worldwide hit "Pata Pata".

Armatrading's second non-acoustic album turned her into a pop star in Britian. For this album she ranges from folk rock, to new wave to reggae. She's joined by Thomas Dolby, Sly and Robbie, Steve Lillywhite and Andy Partridge from XTC.

John Lee Hooker was already a legend before the making of this album. Produced by Van Morrison and Los Lobos, it features new songs a few classic remakes, further cementing his legendary status.

Ronstadt's fifth album, which made her a star. She perfects her folk rock sound through covers of songs by Paul Anka, Hank Williams and Anna McGarrigle. This album had number one hits on the country and pop charts, went platinum, and even earned Ronstadt a Grammy award.

Upon its release, Interview Magazine called Exile in Guyville "folk rock that could make you blush". This is Liz Phair's response to the Rolling Stones classic Exile on Main St. -- a pretty big undertaking for a debut album.

Although it was a commercial failure, Dusty in Memphis is regarded by many critics to be one of the greatest albums of all time. This album mixes the sultry soulful voice of the British Pop singer with the production team for Aretha Franklin and the songwriting skills of Goffin and King, Bacharach and David, and Randy Newman.

Uncle Tupelo's final effort is often hailed as their best, a perfect blend of the elements in their country-rock sound. This album was recorded completely live in an Austin studio. Less than a year after its release, both Son Volt and Wilco had been created from Uncle Tupelo's ashes.

Taking close to three years off between his debut album and Poses, this album features Rufus Wainwright with a soaring full band, and in scaled down acoustic numbers. His theatrical-style is enhanced with elements of opera, rock and electronica.

From the ashes of college-radio faves Camper Van Beethoven, came Cracker. David Lowery formed Cracker which brings a mainstream rock sound to his quirky and cynical lyrics. Their debut album earned them success in the growing alternative radio scene of the time, as well as a mainstream hit.

Harrison's first non-Beatle album was actually a triple album. Now available on a double CD set, It proves to be one of the best of his solo career. Produced by Phil Spector, and featuring appearances by Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr and Peter Frampton to name a few.

A remarkable album of songs written by Tom Waits, performed by John Hammond, produced by Tom Waits. The result leads to new interpretations of some of Waits' best known songs, and a feat rarely seen in the music industry.

Bristol natives Geoff Barrow and Beth Gibbons joined forces to create Portishead, making a benchmark for the trip-hop genre. They relased their debut album, “Dummy” on Go Records in 1994, which reached the top 40. The group’s collaborative effort produced merit, winning them Britain’s Mercury Prize and play on MTV.

Considered one of the greatest rock albums from the 80’s, “Let it Be” is The Replacements third release. A coming of age album in its own right, its fun and disjointed complete with a Kiss cover and songs about their bass player getting his tonsils out.

Known as Lennon's most important work, this album features its anthemic title track, Phil Spector's "wall of sound", scathing lyrics about Paul McCartney, and the guitar playing of George Harrison. Released in 1971, it was the first of only three of Lennon's solo albums to hit number one.

Sly Stone and his group sounded different than the hippie bands coming out of San Francisco in the late Sixties. But the integrated group's message was still one of peace, love and understanding. Their funky sound earned them a bunch of hits, including the album’s title track.

Rediscovered and re-released by David Byrne in 2001, this album holds up more now than it did in 1974. Far ahead of his time, Shuggie Otis and this album are cited as influences by many electronic artists today. The son of bandleader Johnny Otis, Shuggie only released two albums and performs live rarely.

Greg Brown is definitely a leader in today's modern folk movement, He is the founder of Red House Records and has released many albums in the genre. Further In is one of his best efforts, in which brown delivers a solid performance backed with his descriptive lyrics.

Following the huge success of the Fugees, Lauryn Hill went solo with this one. Creating a disc of very personal songs, she demonstrated just how versatile Hip Hop could be. It also showed that Hill could be a force on her own, by winning 5 Grammy Awards and earning a Gold Record.