Past Albums Of The Month

Discover the stories behind our past Albums of the Month with links to playlists, interviews and more.

The Story of R.E.M. ‘Automatic for the People’

To understand R.E.M.’s rise from an underground band with a cult following to international pop stardom, you need to understand their relationship with college...

The Story of Kraftwerk ‘The Man-Machine’

'We cannot play science fiction music on the guitar - It’s an instrument that was invented in the middle ages in Spain. So, when we want do the spirit of today you have to choose the medium of today to do it." - Ralf Hutter

The Story of the Grateful Dead ‘American Beauty’

“For me, it was one of those things where I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life making records that are too f–ing weird for anybody to listen to." Jerry Garcia.

The Story of The Avalanches ‘Since I Left You’

Watch the steps. Get a drink, have a good time now. Welcome to paradise.

The Story of Roy Ayers ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’

"It seems to capture every generation. Everybody loves the sunshine – except Dracula.” Roy Ayers

The Story of Erykah Badu ‘Mama’s Gun’

“Music is kind of sick. It’s going through a rebirthing process, and I found myself being one of the midwives." Erykah Badu

The Story of Joni Mitchell ‘Blue’

“It’s a description of the times. There were so many sinking but I had to keep thinking I could make it through the waves." Joni Mitchell.

The Story of Kate Bush ‘The Sensual World’

"The symbolism of the child is such a powerful thing, because it's the small, vulnerable thing looking out at the big world." Kate Bush.

The Story of David Bowie “Heroes”

“For many years Berlin had appealed to me as a sort of sanctuary-like situation. It was one of the few cities where I could move around in virtual anonymity.": David Bowie.