Album Stories

‘÷’: How Ed Sheeran’s Third Album Dominated The Charts

Diving into “stadium zone” with a flurry of hit songs, Ed Sheeran’s ‘÷’ was a watershed moment that shook the music industry to its core.

‘Penguin’: How A Fledgling New Fleetwood Mac Sound Emerged

Fleetwood Mac’s 1973 album, ‘Penguin’, found the group in a period of transition, with Christine McVie emerging as a true songwriting force.

‘Under Rug Swept’: How Alanis Morissette Dared To Let The Sunlight In

‘I’m still on an adventure, I’m still investigating,’ Alanis Morissette said of ‘Under Rug Swept’, an album that ‘makes the picture whole’.

How Fleetwood Mac’s Debut Album Took British Blues To New Heights

Released in 1968, Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled debut album set the group up to become one of the most successful bands of the 20th century.

‘Subterranean Jungle’: How Ramones Returned From The Wilderness

Recorded in fractious circumstances, Ramones’ ‘Subterranean Jungle’ album found the group reconnecting with their creativity in the 80s.

‘Harvest’: How Neil Young Became The Cream Of The Country-Rock Crop

‘A New Flame’: The Story Behind Simply Red’s Steamy Third Album

Impassioned and romantic, Simply Red’s ‘A New Flame’ album stoked the fires of success with Mick Hucknall’s red-hot blend of sophisti-pop.

Why Duran Duran’s “The Wedding Album” Kickstarted An Enduring Union

The success of Ordinary World and ‘Duran Duran’ (aka ‘The Wedding Album’) in 1993 secured the band’s future at a critical moment.

How Blur’s Self-Titled Album Laid Britpop To Rest

Proving there was life after Britpop, Blur’s self-titled album defied all expectations of what the band were capable of.

‘Morrison Hotel’: How The Doors Checked In With A “Springboard Forward”

After ‘The Soft Parade’’s strings and horns, The Doors’ fifth album, ‘Morrison Hotel’, was a return to lean, powerful blues rock.