James Stafford
40 Years Ago: David Bowie Reinvents Compilation Albums With the Landmark ‘Changesonebowie’
Although plenty of subsequent Bowie collections are far more comprehensive, none captured a specific moment in Bowie's evolution better than the first.
Six Years Ago: The Black Keys Rediscover the Blues With Their Mainstream Breakthrough ‘Brothers’
Two years after their trippy 2008 album with Danger Mouse, the Black Keys went back to basics and released their self-produced, blues-fueled breakthrough.
20 Years Ago: The Cranberries Release Their Third Album ‘To the Faithful Departed’
By 1996, Dolores O'Riordan and the Irish outfit had become ubiquitous on alternative radio. But their third album signaled the beginning of the end.
25 Years Ago: Fishbone Release the Funk-Metal Blueprint, ‘The Reality of My Surroundings’
Fishbone were already underground L.A. legends when they recorded their third album, but their funk-metal masterpiece proved far more influential than successful.
33 Years Ago: R.E.M. Release Their Subversive and Immersive Debut, ‘Murmur’
Long before they lost their religion, R.E.M. emerged from the indie underground with a haunting sound that blends folk, post-punk and garage rock into something ethereal.
32 Years Ago: R.E.M. Help Kickstart Alt-Country With Their Second Album, ‘Reckoning’
Tasked with following up their landmark debut, R.E.M. went looser and a little towards the heartland with their hugely influential 1984 effort, 'Reckoning.'
Why the Death of a Musician Hits Us So Hard
When the people who create the soundtracks to our lives leave us, the personal moments they were a part of immediately come back into focus.
24 Years Ago: Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’ Becomes the Biggest Album on the Planet
Four months after its release, Nirvana's breakthrough reached the top spot on the Billboard 200. But it was clear 'Nevermind' wasn't just another album.
Cover Stories: Metallica’s ‘Master of Puppets’
The front sleeve of Metallica's 'Master of Puppets' set the tone for thrash metal artwork. Here's the story behind the cover.