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PODCAST

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix

Not all albums stand the test of time, but plenty do and Australian music critic Stevie Nix will bring one to you each week. He"ll cover all eras and most genres and tell you why each record is so revered and, equally, why it deserves to be. And he only uses six songs to do it.

music music commentary

All Episodes

34:27

In The Wee Small Hours by Frank Sinatra

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/05/29

Released in 1955, In the Wee Small Hours is more than just an album; it is a transformative work that redefined what popular music could achieve. Often hailed as one of the earliest and most significant concept albums, it stands as a groundbreaking piece of artistry in the mid-20th century. With its deeply personal themes of heartbreak, solitude, and introspection, the album captures Sinatra at his most vulnerable, channeling the pain of his highly publicised relationship and subsequent break...

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36:54

The Joshua Tree by U2

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/05/22

The Joshua Tree was U2’s fifth studio album, and marked a departure from the ambient experimentation of their previous LP, The Unforgettable Fire. U2 aimed for a more direct and impactful sound while adhering to conventional song structures. Drawing heavily on American and Irish roots music, the album combines socio-political commentary with spiritual imagery, juxtaposing the band’s critique of the "real America" with their admiration for its "mythical" allure. Featured songs: Where The Stree...

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32:45

Otis Blue by Otis Redding

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/05/15

Otis Blue is undeniably one of the most important soul albums ever made. Released in 1965, it solidified Otis Redding as a monumental voice in music, someone whose influence would extend far beyond his years. At the heart of the album are Redding’s soulful, impassioned performances, where he captures an array of human emotions with astonishing intensity. His ability to imbue each song with raw feeling and profound vulnerability makes Otis Blue a landmark record in both the soul genre and popu...

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30:12

Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/05/08

Paul’s Boutique is a classic because it represents a daring step forward in the evolution of hip-hop and music production. At a time when hip-hop was still relatively new to the mainstream, the Beastie Boys and the Dust Brothers pushed the boundaries of what the genre could be, using samples in ways that were both innovative and legally unfeasible today due to sampling laws. Featured songs: Shake Your Rump Egg Man High Plains Drifter Hey Ladies Looking Down the Barrel of A Gun Johnny Ry...

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33:32

Band On The Run by Paul McCartney & Wings

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/05/01

Band on the Run is one of Paul McCartney’s most cohesive works, blending rock, blues and pop with introspective and escapist themes. The album’s creation was an exercise in adaptability and artistry, and that sense of freedom and adventure shines through its nine tracks. Released in 1973, this album marked a turning point for McCartney, proving that he could break free from the enormous shadow of The Beatles and establish his own unique path as a solo artist. Featured songs: Band On The Run J...

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31:47

World Without Tears by Lucinda Williams

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/04/24

World Without Tears is a great album not only because it explores universal experiences like love, loss, pain and resilience, but because it does so with a rawness and unflinching honesty that few albums dare to approach. Williams uses her unique ability to craft songs that hit at the heart of human emotion, channeling complex themes with simplicity and unvarnished truth. In this album, she doesn’t just sing about pain — she lives in it, lets it breathe and even pushes it further, capturing m...

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32:20

Wild Wood by Paul Weller

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/04/17

Wild Wood is one of the defining moments in Paul Weller’s career, firmly establishing him as a solo artist with remarkable depth, versatility and a newfound creative voice. The album emerged from a period of self-reflection and reinvention, as Weller tapped into a stripped-back, introspective sound that reconnected him with the earthy textures of British folk, classic rock, and deep soul — a combination that set a new standard for British music in the '90s and beyond. Featured songs: Sunflowe...

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33:53

Red by Taylor Swift

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/04/10

At its core, Red is a concept album that encapsulates the tumultuous nature of love and relationships. It marks a significant milestone in Taylor Swift's artistic evolution. This album not only solidified her status as a dominant force in the music industry, but also showcased her unparalleled songwriting abilities and willingness to explore new musical territories. Featured songs: I Knew You Were Trouble We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together All Too Well Red Everything Has Changed Begin Ag...

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34:46

There's A Riot Goin' On by Sly & The Family Stone

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/04/03

Released in 1971, There’s a Riot Goin’ On captured the disillusionment and unrest of the early ’70s with a raw, almost haunting intensity. Gone were the bright, infectious grooves of Sly’s earlier work; in their place was a murky, introspective sound that blended funk, soul, and rock with a striking sense of urgency and realism. It’s a record that challenges listeners, diving into themes of disillusionment, racial tension, and personal turmoil, all underscored by Sly Stone’s vision of a natio...

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33:17

Dummy by Portishead

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/03/27

Dummy challenged conventional notions of what popular music could be. It blurred the lines between genres, incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and electronica into a cohesive whole. The album’s haunting soundscapes and emotionally charged lyrics redefined the possibilities of modern music, paving the way for future artists to explore their own vulnerabilities and truths. Featured songs: Sour Times Mysterons Glory Box It Could Be Sweet Roads Numb

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35:58

The Final Cut by Pink Floyd

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/03/20

The Final Cut marks a turning point in Pink Floyd's history and, for many, represents the final chapter of the band's "classic" era. Composed and written largely by Roger Waters, the album grapples with post-war trauma, societal decay, and personal reflection, deeply influenced by Waters' experiences and the memory of his father’s death in World War II. Featured songs: The Post War Dream Your Possible Pasts The Gunner’s Dream Paranoid Eyes The Fletcher Memorial Home Not Now John

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37:02

Ghosteen by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/03/13

Ghosteen is more than just an album; it’s an ethereal journey through loss and healing, reflecting on themes of mortality and the quest for redemption. With its minimalist instrumentation, layered vocal harmonies and cinematic soundscapes, this album invites you into an introspective realm where hope and despair coexist. Each track unfolds like a chapter in a dream, revealing Cave's poetic lyricism and his deeply personal reflections on life and death. Featured songs: Bright Horses Waiting Fo...

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36:00

Either/Or by Elliott Smith

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/03/06

Either/Or is an album that resonates deeply due to its exploration of universal themes — loneliness, existential questioning, and the search for meaning. Smith’s lyrical ability to express his innermost thoughts in relatable terms makes these songs not just personal confessions but shared experiences. Each track is a snapshot of human vulnerability, presented with such honesty that you feel a profound connection to his music. Featured songs: Alameda The Ballad Of Big Nothing Between The Bars ...

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35:36

Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/02/27

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is often hailed as one of the greatest albums ever made for its revolutionary approach to songwriting, raw emotional honesty and the starkness of its sound. By exploring topics like disillusionment, abandonment, spirituality and identity, Lennon redefined what popular music could express and how it could connect with listeners on a profoundly human level. Featured songs: Mother Working Class Hero Isolation Love I Found Out God

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35:40

The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/02/20

The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan is a landmark album that redefined the possibilities of modern music, blending artistic sophistication with social and personal commentary. Released in 1963, it captures a pivotal moment in history while addressing timeless themes, making it both a product of its time and a universal work of art. Through its poetic lyrics, innovative songwriting, and emotional depth, the album elevated popular music to a serious artistic medium. Featured songs: Blowin’ In The Wind G...

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36:56

To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/02/13

To Pimp a Butterfly is an album that transcended genre expectations and redefined the boundaries of hip-hop. Building upon the narrative-driven storytelling of good kid, m.A.A.d city, Lamar delved into even deeper explorations of identity, history, and social justice, crafting a work that both celebrated Black culture and examined systemic oppression. Featured songs: Wesley’s Theory King Kunta These Walls U Alright The Blacker The Berry

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31:24

Darkness On The Edge Of Town by Bruce Springsteen

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/02/06

Darkness on the Edge of Town is a landmark album that showcases Bruce Springsteen’s growth as a songwriter and artist. The album’s exploration of complex themes, from familial conflict and existential struggle to resilience and hope, makes it a deeply impactful work. The album’s raw sound, lyrical depth and emotional honesty have solidified its status as a classic in the rock genre. Featured songs: Badlands Adam Raised a Cain The Promised Land Racing in the Street Factory Prove It All Night

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31:41

Making Movies by Dire Straits

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/01/30

Making Movies is more than just an album — it’s a narrative experience that showcases Dire Straits’s ability to meld storytelling with intricate musical arrangements and emotional depth. Each song on the album speaks to the themes of love, desire, resilience, and self-discovery, creating a cohesive yet diverse exploration of the human experience. Featured songs:Tunnel Of LoveRomeo & JulietSkateawayExpresso LoveHand in HandLes Boys

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34:50

I Never Loved A Man [The Way I Love You] by Aretha...

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/01/23

The album's blend of gospel, R&B, and pop, combined with Franklin's powerful vocals and deeply personal lyrics, set a new standard for artistry in popular music. It became a cornerstone of soul music and a reflection of the social changes occurring in America during the late 1960s, resonating with themes of love, empowerment, and resilience.Featured songs:I Never Loved A Man [The Way I Love You]Dr FeelgoodDo Right Woman, Do Right ManRespectBaby, Baby, BabyA Change Is Gonna Come

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32:25

Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz

Classic Albums. Hosted by Stevie Nix ·

2025/01/16

In many ways, Let Love Rule is a response to the chaos and materialism of the late 1980s. Rather than succumbing to the trends of the time, Lenny Kravitz crafted an album that was deeply personal and reflective of his own values. The album’s themes of love, peace, and unity resonated with audiences who were looking for something more meaningful in their music.Featured songs:Sittin’ On Top Of The WorldLet Love RuleMr Cab DriverI Build This Garden For UsFearMy Precious Love

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74 results

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