Those who only have ‘'best-of" Bowie discs are going to find lots of discoveries on these full-album releases—starting with this early breakthrough ('69). Along with the universally beloved "Space... more

Initially released in 1970 but reaching the U.S. charts in '72 (at the same time as "Space Oddity"), "The Man Who Sold the World" was the dawn of a new era for Bowie and his galaxy of soon-to-be... more

Music hall, cabaret, folk, throwback pop…all tied together with David Bowie's absolutely unique worldview and artist's signature. It amounted to another early-career triumph, his fourth album that... more

This is it: the big bang, not just in Bowie's career, but in rock music. Ziggy played guitar, and the whole world became transfixed with this gift from beyond, a mesmerizing mix of rock guitars,... more

The album that introduced "The Jean Genie" to the world (and to the charts) is a more earthbound affair than its predecessor "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars." Jazz,... more

Bowie seemed to have rocketed in from outer space, but this 1973 LP (a #23 hit) proved otherwise. He, like millions of others, grew up listening to the Who, Kinks, Yardbirds, Easybeats, Pink Floyd,... more

Released in November 1973 (nine months after "Aloha from Hawaii"), this album was recorded in Palm Springs and in the legendary home of Southern soul, Stax Studios. Backed by ace musicians and... more

As remarkable a debut as "Music from Big Pink" was, the Band's second album ('69) made even more of an impact. This is where Robbie Robertson's songs and the distinct contributions of Manuel, Hudson,... more

The gospel, country, soul and rock 'n' roll of the Band worked in service of a set of deeply personal songs on their third album (1970). The album's title introduces the concept of the hazards of... more

Earth, Wind & Fire introduced all the "elements" of the day on this 1979 LP including disco (via the #2 R&B hit "Boogie Wonderland" featuring the Emotions), silky ballads (the gorgeous "After the... more

Hip-hop's big-screen breakthrough came with this 1984 flick bursting with beats, break dancing, emcees and graffiti. Old-school hip-hop dominates this original soundtrack, but you'll also hear... more

The still-stunning song (and production) that is "Taxi"—Harry's first hit—is the obvious star on the late, great singer-songwriter's debut, which charted in March 1972. But the whole thing is a... more

Six months after "Thick As a Brick" began its climb to #1 in the U.S., this double-album collection came out and promptly shot to #3. Combining recordings from 1968–71 that were previously... more

Chicago had yet another fantastic year in '84, when the twin #3 smashes "Hard Habit to Break" and "You're the Inspiration" lifted "Chicago 17" to #4 (their highest placement in eight years). It's... more