Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

Elvis Is Back! is the tenth studio album by Elvis Presley, released on April 8, 1960. It marked his triumphant return to the recording studio after serving two years in the U.S. Army. The album showcased a more mature and versatile Elvis, blending rock and roll, rhythm and blues, pop, and even jazz influences into a polished and sophisticated sound. The album features standout tracks like "Fever," where Elvis delivers a sultry, stripped-down performance, and "Such a Night," a lively, swaggeri...

Digital Underground’s debut album, Sex Packets, is a landmark in hip-hop, blending humor, funk, and creativity into a genre-defying masterpiece. Released in 1990, the album is heavily influenced by the P-Funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, led by the charismatic Shock G (and his alter ego, Humpty Hump). The group’s playful, irreverent style is on full display, along with innovative sampling and production that set it apart from the gangsta rap dominating the era. The album’s concept revolves...

Actually is the second studio album by the British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on September 7, 1987. Building on the success of their debut album Please, Actually refined their signature blend of electronic dance-pop, witty lyricism, and social commentary. The album features some of their most iconic tracks, including "It's a Sin," a dramatic, confessional anthem about religious guilt; "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", a duet with Dusty Springfield that became one of their bigges...

Wheels of Fire is the third studio album by the British rock band Cream, released in 1968. It is a double album, with one disc featuring studio recordings and the other containing live performances. The album blends blues, psychedelic rock, and hard rock, showcasing the virtuosity of Eric Clapton (guitar, vocals), Jack Bruce (bass, vocals), and Ginger Baker (drums, vocals). The studio disc includes iconic tracks like "White Room", a dramatic psychedelic anthem with haunting lyrics and a signa...

C'est Chic is the second studio album by the iconic disco and funk band Chic, released on August 11, 1978. This album solidified Chic’s place as a defining force in late 1970s disco music and pop culture. It features some of the most memorable grooves and polished production of the era, created by the legendary duo Nile Rodgers (guitar) and Bernard Edwards (bass). The album is best known for its international hit "Le Freak", a dancefloor anthem with its unforgettable hook ("Ahh, freak out!") ...