Bon Iver’s Debut Album ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ Turns 15 | Anniversary Retrospective

July 4, 2022 Jeremy Levine

Bon Iver Debut Album For Emma, Forever Ago

Bon Iver’s inaugural studio affair album is a whisper, a collection of songs mumbled over an acoustic guitar, each of which is on the verge of collapse.

Eric B. & Rakim’s Debut Album ‘Paid in Full’ Turns 35 | Anniversary Retrospective

July 1, 2022 Jesse Ducker

Eric B. & Rakim Debut Album Paid in Full

The duo’s debut LP ranks among the five greatest hip-hop albums ever recorded, and a compelling case can be made that it’s THE greatest ever.

Plaid Perfume On My Breath: X’s ‘Under The Big Black Sun’ Turns 40 | Anniversary Retrospective

July 1, 2022 Erika Wolf

On X’s third studio LP, you can hear each band member’s unique talents, all of the various musical genres and influences, and how these elements meld into something potent and magical.

The ‘Singles’ Soundtrack Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective

June 26, 2022 Brian Grosz

The ‘Singles’ “soundtrack” is more like a really awesome mixtape that a friend gave you in 1992 before you knew anything about music.

Cormega’s ‘The True Meaning’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective

June 25, 2022 Daryl McIntosh

Cormega’s second studio LP offers a deeper look into Queensbridge, a neighborhood that first caught our attention on wax nearly two-and-a-half decades earlier.

Nelly’s ‘Nellyville’ Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective

June 24, 2022 DC Hendrix

After experiencing whirlwind success with his 2000 debut LP ‘Country Grammar,’ the St. Louis-bred emcee returned with his highly entertaining (and successful) sophomore affair.

Wyclef Jean’s Debut Album ‘The Carnival’ Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective

June 23, 2022 Jesse Ducker

With ‘The Carnival,’ Wyclef took many musical risks that could have been disastrous, but somehow the album stays on the rails and succeeds.

Deee-Lite’s ‘Infinity Within’ Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective

June 20, 2022 Quentin Harrison

For an act who had their finger on the pulse of the present, reverence for the past, but an eye always cast toward the future, the resonance of their second studio affair today feels just right.

The ‘Mo’ Money’ Soundtrack Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective

June 20, 2022 Mark Chappelle

More than mere background, the ‘Mo’ Money’ Soundtrack is an audio snapshot of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis developing the sound that would shape ‘90s R&B and pop, and having fun doing it.

Eric B. & Rakim’s ‘Don’t Sweat the Technique’ Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective

June 19, 2022 Jesse Ducker

Eric B. & Rakim Don’t Sweat the Technique

Although Eric B. & Rakim’s musical partnership ended unexpectedly after four albums, they went out on a high note with ‘Don’t Sweat the Technique.’

The Cardigans’ ‘First Band on the Moon’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary

So much more than their massive hit “Lovefool,” The Cardigans’ terrific third LP reflected the band’s evolving confidence and musical maturation at the time.

Mariah Carey’s ‘Glitter’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary

Instead of the disproportionate attention paid to the commercial performance of ‘Glitter,’ the focus should actually rest on Carey’s continued desire to marry pop, R&B, and hip-hop genres for the masses.

CeCe Peniston’s ‘I’m Movin’ On’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary

After early career success like Peniston’s, many artists would rather sell their souls than chance to change the formula, even if they have to create work they don’t love. Peniston refused.