A few weeks ago I focused on the new music of this year, but it’s only fair to also take a look at some of the albums that have been added to our classic rock music catalogue. Below are a list of genre-defining and highly influential albums that are now available on the air. So classic rock fans, rejoice, these songs are for you.
Jefferson Airplane: Surrealistic Pillow [RCA] (1967)
One of the definitive records that came out of the west coast counterculture movement, Jefferson Airplane’s sophomore LP remains to be one of the best album follow-ups in history. Jerry Garcia (of the Grateful Dead) produced the entire album and played on “Plastic Furniture Lover” and “Comin’ Back to Me.” While his influence without a doubt bleeds into the work, Garcia’s contributions are but a small piece of what makes this album a masterwork. Grace Slick’s piercing wail on the album’s standout tracks, “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit” are supplemented by Marty Balin and Paul Kantner’s droning harmonies. In short, Surrealistic Pillow is a beautiful blend of folk and acid rock.
Funkadelic: Maggot Brain [Westbound] (1971)
Possibly the best funk group of the 1970s, Funkadelic’s third release is an explosive triumph, blending influences of blues, soul, and psychedelia that smacks you relentlessly. The album opens with its title track, a ten minute instrumental featuring dueling and layered guitar work that sets a high bar for the rest of the album. After the funk staples “Hit It And Quit It” and “Can You Get to That” fade out, “Super Stupid” features another shredder guitar part from Eddie Hazel. It’s loud, it’s messy, and boy is it a whole lot of fun. Not to mention the fact that its influence is still existent in the mainstream music scene as well — Childish Gambino cited Maggot Brain as a pretext for his departure in sound his acclaimed 2016 release, “Awaken, My Love!”
Electric Light Orchestra: Out of the Blue [CBS] (1977)
ELO’s seventh release, Out of the Blue is a grandiose rock record that leans into the sounds of the emergent disco scene. The disco influence is especially present in “It’s Over” and “Night In The City.” Also present are those stadium ready songs like “Sweet Talkin’ Woman,” “Mr. Blue Sky,” and “Turn To Stone.” It also got a double-LP reissue on vinyl a few years back, so if you’re into collecting, it’s a must have. It’s poppy, upbeat and you can’t help but crack a smile during its runtime.
Dire Straits: Brothers In Arms [Warner Bros] (1985)
Catchy basslines, layered keyboards, a horn section and driving guitar. It’s rock and roll, man! Baby boomers everywhere lose their collective minds when “Walk of Life,” “So Far Away,” or “Money for Nothing” are played. For good reason, too — they’re catchy (albeit cheesy) songs. But please don’t neglect the stronger B-side that this album has to offer. It’s stripped down, restrained and features the record’s solemn title track, “Brothers In Arms.” Lead singer Mark Knopfler vocals echo-Dylan’s buzz, and the aforementioned orchestral feel of the instrumentation lay the groundwork for an altogether solid record.
If you know these records, you’ll be happy to know they are available on WGRE. If you don’t, well, you’ve got some classics to listen to. In any case, keep listening to WGRE 91.5
- Your Sound Alternative.
