Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

Sep 24 2024 5
Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews Podcast artwork

Polyphonic Press is the show for music fans. Anywhere from the casual listener to the nerdiest of audiophiles. Each week, we review a classic album from a curated list of over one thousand releases, spanning multiples genres. At the top of each show, we have no idea what album we’re going to listen to. So we fire up the Random Album Generator and it gives the album of the week. Join us every Tuesday morning for a new classic album to discover!

RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf (1968)

Sep 24 2024 19 mins  
Steppenwolf's self-titled debut album, released in 1968, is a landmark in the development of hard rock and heavy metal. The album features a gritty blend of blues, rock, and psychedelia, with raw vocals and distorted guitar work that set the tone for the band's rebellious sound. The record includes the iconic track "Born to Be Wild," which became an anthem for the counterculture an

Deep Purple - Made in Japan (1972)

Sep 17 2024 22 mins  
Made in Japan is a live album by Deep Purple, recorded during their 1972 tour of Japan and released later that year. It captures the band's energetic and powerful performances, highlighting their musical prowess at the height of their career. The album features extended versions of some of their best-known tracks, including "Smoke on the Water," "Highway Star," and "Child in Time,"

John Cale - Paris 1919 (1973)

Sep 10 2024 17 mins  
Paris 1919 by John Cale, released in 1973, is a lush, baroque pop album that blends literary and historical themes with elegant orchestration. Known for its sophisticated arrangements, the album features strings, horns, and piano, creating a sound that is both whimsical and melancholic. Cale's lyrics weave together reflections on European history, particularly post-World War I, and

Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

Aug 27 2024 21 mins  
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1970, is a timeless masterpiece that blends folk rock with rich orchestration and soulful harmonies. The album, featuring Paul Simon's poetic songwriting and Art Garfunkel's ethereal vocals, explores themes of love, loss, and redemption. The title track, with its soaring gospel-inspired arrangement, became an anthem

The Only Ones - The Only Ones (1978)

Aug 20 2024 22 mins  
The debut album by The Only Ones, released in 1978, is a striking blend of punk rock energy and sophisticated songwriting. Led by the enigmatic Peter Perrett, the band crafted a sound that defied easy categorization, merging sharp guitar riffs, jangly melodies, and lyrical depth. The album features their most famous track, "Another Girl, Another Planet," which has since become an i

Tom Tom Club - Tom Tom Club (1981)

Aug 13 2024 18 mins  
The debut album by Tom Tom Club, released in 1981, is a vibrant blend of new wave, funk, and dance music, characterized by its infectious rhythms and playful lyrics. Formed by Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads, the album showcases their ability to craft catchy, genre-blurring tunes that are both innovative and accessible. Tracks like "Genius of Love" and "Wordy Rappin

Hawkwind - Space Ritual (1973)

Jul 30 2024 20 mins  
"Space Ritual" by Hawkwind is a live album released in 1973, capturing the essence of their unique blend of space rock, psychedelia, and hard rock. The double album, recorded during their 1972 tour, is a sonic journey through interstellar themes, featuring extended jams, swirling synthesizers, heavy guitar riffs, and driving rhythms. Standout tracks like "Master of the Universe" an

Bob Dylan - Love and Theft (2001)

Jul 23 2024 23 mins  
"Love and Theft," released in 2001, is Bob Dylan's thirty-first studio album and showcases his mastery of Americana, blending elements of blues, rockabilly, and folk. The album, lauded for its rich, eclectic sound and Dylan's vivid storytelling, explores themes of love, loss, and American history with a sense of wit and irony. Tracks like "Mississippi" and "High Water (For Charley

Elton John - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)

Jul 16 2024 17 mins  
"Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy," released in 1975, is an autobiographical album by Elton John, chronicling the early struggles and eventual rise to fame of John (Captain Fantastic) and his lyricist Bernie Taupin (the Brown Dirt Cowboy). The album is notable for its vivid storytelling, emotional depth, and seamless blend of rock, pop, and introspective ballads. Tracks

Joni Mitchell - The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975)

Jul 09 2024 24 mins  
"The Hissing of Summer Lawns," released in 1975, is Joni Mitchell's seventh studio album, showcasing her continued evolution as an artist. This album marks a departure from her earlier folk sound, incorporating elements of jazz, pop, and world music. It features complex arrangements and sophisticated lyrics that explore themes of suburban life, cultural expectations, and personal f