Jeremy Boyd & Jon VanDyk

Polyphonic Press - Classic Album Reviews

Music EN ↓ 131 episodes

*1,000 essential albums. One random generator. Zero escape.* Jeremy Boyd and Jon VanDyk take a deep dive into the records that shaped music history one randomly selected choice at a time. Whether it’s a 60s psychedelic masterpiece or a 90s alternative powerhouse, we break down the lore, drop 5 fast facts, and give you the tracks that actually matter so you can sound like the smartest person at the record store. New episodes every Tuesday.

Author

Jeremy Boyd & Jon VanDyk

Episodes

Electric Warrior by T. Rex: Glam Rock’s Defining Groove 29.09.2021 54:21

"The album that essentially kick-started the U.K. glam rock craze, Electric Warrior completes T. Rex's transformation from hippie folk-rockers into flamboyant avatars of trashy rock & roll. There are a few vestiges of those early days remaining in the acoustic-driven ballads, but Electric Warrior spends most of its time in a swinging, hip-shaking groove powered by Marc Bolan's warm...

Hejira by Joni Mitchell: Road Songs and Jazz-Folk Reflections 21.09.2021 45:40

"Joni Mitchell's Hejira is the last in an astonishingly long run of top-notch studio albums dating back to her debut. Some vestiges of her old style remain here; "Song for Sharon" utilizes the static, pithy vocal harmonies from Ladies of the Canyon's "Woodstock," "Refuge of the Roads" features woodwind touches reminiscent of those in "Barangrill" from Fo...

Lady Soul by Aretha Franklin: The Queen at Her Peak 15.09.2021 47:36

"Appearing after a blockbuster debut and a sophomore set that was rather disappointing (in comparison), 1968's Lady Soul proved Aretha Franklin, the pop sensation, was no fluke. Her performances were more impassioned than on her debut, and the material just as strong, an inspired blend of covers and originals from the best songwriters in soul and pop music. The opener, "Chain of Fools,...

Anthem of the Sun by Grateful Dead: Psychedelic Experimentation Unleashed 07.09.2021 41:24

"As the second long-player by the Grateful Dead, Anthem of the Sun (1968) pushed the limits of both the music as well as the medium. General dissatisfaction with their self-titled debut necessitated the search for a methodology to seamlessly juxtapose the more inspired segments of their live performances with the necessary conventions of a single LP. Since issuing their first album, the Dead w...

The Joshua Tree by U2: Spiritual Rock and Desert Atmosphere 31.08.2021 1:19:11

In this episode, we travel to 1987 and take a look at U2's breakthrough album The Joshua Tree. Listen to The Joshua Tree: https://open.spotify.com/album/5vBZRYu2GLA65nfxBvG1a7 Join the Polyphonic Press Community: Love collecting classic vinyl and want to talk about? Reach out and let us know! Website | Join the community on Patreon | Contact

What is Polyphonic Press? 26.08.2021 0:44

Polyphonic Press is the show for music fans. Anywhere from the casual listener to the nerdiest of audiophiles. Each week, we review a classic album from a curated list of over one thousand releases, spanning multiple genres. At the top of each show, we have no idea what album we’re going to listen to. So we fire up the Random Album Generator and it gives the album of the week. Join us every Tuesda...