By Jeremy Boyd & Jon VanDyk
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
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3.7
33 ratings
The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.
Tapestry by Carole King, released in 1971, is a landmark singer-songwriter album that captures the essence of 1970s folk-pop. Known for its deeply personal lyrics and soulful melodies, the album blends introspection with universal themes of love, loss, and resilience. Featuring iconic tracks like "It's Too Late," "I Feel the Earth Move," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," Tapestry became a cultural touchstone, showcasing King’s exceptional songwriting talent and her ability to convey raw emotion. It remains one of the best-selling albums of all time and a defining work in the singer-songwriter genre.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
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 and is often credited with coining the term "heavy metal." Other standout tracks like "The Pusher" reflect Steppenwolf's edgy and socially conscious lyrics, marking the album as a bold statement in late '60s rock.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
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," with impressive improvisation, particularly from Ritchie Blackmore's guitar and Jon Lord's keyboards. Widely regarded as one of the greatest live rock albums, Made in Japan showcases Deep Purple's raw, dynamic, and intense stage presence.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
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 personal introspection, creating a dreamlike narrative. The record is often considered one of Cale's most accessible works, balancing avant-garde sensibilities with melodic charm, and stands as a key moment in his diverse solo career.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
"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 of comfort and solidarity, while other tracks like "The Boxer" and "Cecilia" showcase the duo's storytelling prowess and musical versatility. As their final studio album together, it stands as a poignant farewell, capturing the peak of their creative synergy and leaving a lasting impact on the music world.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
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 iconic anthem of the era. With its infectious hooks and introspective lyrics, the debut showcases The Only Ones' unique ability to balance raw emotion with polished musicianship, making it a standout record in the late '70s music scene.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
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 Rappinghood" became iconic, with their quirky melodies and eclectic influences drawing from reggae, hip hop, and world music. The album's upbeat energy and carefree vibe make it a standout in the early '80s music scene.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
"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" and "Orgone Accumulator" are complemented by poet Robert Calvert's spoken word interludes, creating an immersive, otherworldly experience that transports listeners to the far reaches of the cosmos. This album is a quintessential piece of Hawkwind's legacy and a landmark in the space rock genre.
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
"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 Patton)" highlight Dylan's lyrical prowess and musical versatility, earning "Love and Theft" critical acclaim and a place among his most celebrated works.
Listen to the album on Spotify
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What did you think of this album? Send us a text!
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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
"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 like "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" reflect personal moments of despair and salvation, while the entire album serves as a testament to the duo's enduring partnership and creative synergy. Widely regarded as one of John's finest works, it captures the essence of his 1970s artistry.
Listen to the album on Spotify
Listen to the album on Apple Music
What did you think of this album? Send us a text!
Support the show
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Contact: [email protected]
DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.
The podcast currently has 68 episodes available.
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