With her self-titled 1987 debut album, Watley showcased her penchant for artistic reinvention and knack for memorable songcraft.
Read moreAll The World Just Stopped Now: Tori Amos’ Debut Album ‘Little Earthquakes’ Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
Amos’ debut solo affair is exhilarating, and validating, but terrifying in the way that intimacy can sometimes be. It’s a masterpiece, both in terms of emotional honesty and expert musicality.
Read moreThe Sylvers’ Eponymous Debut Album ‘The Sylvers’ Turns 50 | Anniversary Retrospective
The story of the sprawling musical Sylvers family is a microcosm of the perils and thrills of being a Black musician in America, and their self-titled debut LP is where it all began.
Read moreDolly Parton’s Debut Album ‘Hello, I’m Dolly’ Turns 55 | Anniversary Retrospective
As with most of Parton’s prolific work to date, her inaugural studio affair showcases that her power lies in her ability to be vulnerable, witty, humorous and strong—all at the same time.
Read moreThe Allman Brothers Band’s ‘Eat A Peach’ Turns 50 | Anniversary Retrospective
The album’s perfection is what makes it so sad, a brilliantly captured moment in time that faded immediately, like getting a photo of the last second of a sunset.
Read moreLord Finesse’s ‘Return of the Funky Man’ Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
Without spawning a major hit single, Lord Finesse’s superb sophomore album remains an important chapter in one of the unsung careers of hip-hop.
Read moreKa’s ‘Grief Pedigree’ Turns 10 | Anniversary Retrospective
A reminder of how simplicity in execution often belies depth in content, Ka’s second studio album perfectly captures the reality of his native Brownsville, Brooklyn stomping grounds.
Read morePublic Enemy’s Debut Album ‘Yo! Bum Rush the Show’ Turns 35 | Anniversary Retrospective
An incredibly ambitious album for its time, Chuck D & crew’s debut long player took plenty of risks in sound and delivery, and the risks paid off.
Read moreErykah Badu’s Debut Album ‘Baduizm’ Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
Looking back, it’s easy to think of ‘Baduizm’ primarily as a laid-back, jazzy affair. But it’s also easy to forget just how hard Badu's debut album goes.
Read moreIt Wasn’t Easy, But Nothing Is: Blur’s Eponymous Fifth Studio Album ‘Blur’ Turns 25 | Anniversary Retrospective
Having failed in years prior to break through in America (while then arch-rivals Oasis enjoyed stateside fame), Blur’s fifth studio affair was a personal triumph for the band.
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