This is Richard Thompson’s 7th solo studio album. He teamed up with producer Mitchell Froom, and the result was a more “polished” effort than Thompson’s previous work. This album broadened Thompson’s appeal and earned him a Grammy nomination. It features “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”, one of Thompson’s most beloved songs.

U2’s debut album is considered to be one of the finest first albums of any band in the 1980’s. It set the stage for the band’s future mega-stardom.

“Raising Sand” features the unlikely duet of Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, and bluegrass queen Alison Krauss. It was the winner of 5 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.

The B-52's were unlike anything out there when they released their debut album, the band's unique approach made them a hit, and had songs like "Rock Lobster" and "Planet Claire" spinning at parties all over the world.

For his fifth album, Peter Gabriel teamed up with producer Daniel Lanois to produce his most upbeat and fun album, titled “So”. Gabriel also recruited the help of musicians such as Kate Bush, African singer Youssou N’Dour and The Police’s Stewart Copland. The album became Gabriel’s breakout success, including many top 10 hits such as “Sledgehammer”, “Red Rain”, and “In Your Eyes”.

Billy Bragg’s 4th album highlights the two subjects for which he is best known, socialist politics and bittersweet love. Opening with “She’s Got a Brand New Spell” and ending with “Waiting For the Great Leap Forward” Bragg rails against capitalism and the vulgarities of love.

For his fifth album, Peter Gabriel teamed up with producer Daniel Lanois to produce his most upbeat and fun album, titled “So”. Gabriel also recruited the help of musicians such as Kate Bush, African singer Youssou N’Dour and The Police’s Stewart Copland. The album became Gabriel’s breakout success, including many top 10 hits such as “Sledgehammer”, “Red Rain”, and “In Your Eyes”.

This collaboration between Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo was many years in the making. Spiraling off the success of the single “Crazy”, the album was considered among the best of the year’s due to it’s hybrid of rock, soul and hip-hop.

Neil Young’s fourth solo album, Harvest, was the best selling album of 1972. For the recording of the album, he enlisted the help of several artists including Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. The hit song “Heart of Gold” remains Young’s only #1 song.

For Nick Drake's second album, Bryter Later, he re-teamed with producer Joe Boyd to produce a more upbeat and lush record. This CD also features musicians from Fairport Convention, The Velvet Underground, and The Beach Boys. Although not a big seller in it's time, Bryter Later (along with the other 2 albums Drake released in his lifetime), has gone on to be considered among the finest folk-rock albums of all time.