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… under the bridge downtown

Posted by Muntle on September 24, 2021

Posted in: Classic Albums.

It was thirty years ago today … under the bridge downtown

Despite this being their fifth album, it was the breakthrough record for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, although some dedicated long-term fans may well disagree with that.  It marked their change of label, and features a slightly less-heavy style than previously, which no doubt helped with its success.  Unusually, it was released on exactly the same day as another classic – Nirvana’s Nevermind – which it comfortably outsold for several years.

Album: Blood Sugar Sex Magik
Artist: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Released:  24th September 1991
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 121
Highest Chart Position: 25

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… met a girl, thought she was grand

Posted by Muntle on August 28, 2021

Posted in: Classic Albums.

It was twenty years ago today … met a girl, thought she was grand

Very much a slow burner in the UK, this album didn’t enter the charts here until almost six months after its release.  As indeed were the band themselves, who took nearly ten years to make this, their debut studio album.  It also made the top ten in the US Billboard Chart as well as going three-times Platinum.  Sometimes it just takes longer to produce a classic.

Album: Come Clean
Artist: Puddle of Mudd
Released:  28th August 2001
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 41
Highest Chart Position: 12

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… and the world looks just the same

Posted by Muntle on August 14, 2021

Posted in: Classic Albums.

It was fifty years ago today … and the world looks just the same

What eventually was released as a single studio album developed from a double-album rock opera concept by Pete Townshend called Lifehouse, which you can read more about in my Album of the Year 1971 blog.  Despite the difficult gestation, it has emerged as probably the band’s best album, and features in the top 50 of many Best Albums of All Time lists – including mine.

Album: Who’s Next
Artist: The Who
Released:  14th August 1971
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 18
Number of Weeks at No.1: 1

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… you introduced me to my mind

Posted by Muntle on July 21, 2021

Posted in: Classic Albums.

It was fifty years ago today … you introduced me to my mind

Now a feature of most Top 50 Heavy Metal Albums of All Time, this ‘difficult third album’  was absolutely panned by the critics when it was released.  And yet it was not only a chart success at the time, it has been quoted by many second and third-generation metal bands as one of their major influences.  A good job most of us take very little notice of critics!

Album: Master of Reality
Artist: Black Sabbath
Released:  21st July 1971
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 14
Highest Chart Position: 5

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… he put a quarter in the Wurlitzer

Posted by Muntle on June 22, 2021

Posted in: Classic Albums.

It was fifty years ago today … he put a quarter in the Wurlitzer

It is no surprise that this album is number 28 on the list of 100 Greatest Albums of All Time, so quite why it only lasted 18 weeks in the UK chart at the time makes it probably the definitive ‘slow burner’.  I have seen it described as many things over the years, from a break-up album to the story of an adventure trip.  Joni herself said it was “like the cellophane on a packet of cigarettes”, but I think my favourite was by a famous writer who likened their first listening to being akin to receiving a first kiss.

Album: Blue
Artist: Joni Mitchell
Released:  22nd June 1971
Weeks in UK Album Chart: 18
Highest Chart Position: 3

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