Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

Jeremy Boyd & Jon VanDyk

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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 multiples 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 Tuesday morning for a new classic album to discover!

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Top 10 Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd - Ep. 87

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

03/11/25 • 36 min

One of the most iconic and influential albums of all time, The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is a progressive rock masterpiece that explores themes of time, mental illness, greed, death, and the human experience. Released in 1973, the album is known for its seamless flow, with each track blending into the next, creating an immersive sonic journey.

Musically, it features lush synthesizers, soaring guitar solos, ethereal vocal harmonies, and groundbreaking use of studio effects. Tracks like “Time,” “Money,” and “Us and Them” have become timeless classics, while the haunting beauty of “The Great Gig in the Sky” and the hypnotic pulse of “Breathe” showcase the band’s sonic experimentation.

Lyrically and thematically profound, The Dark Side of the Moon resonates with listeners on an emotional and philosophical level. Its iconic prism cover art, designed by Storm Thorgerson, has become one of the most recognizable images in music history. The album spent over 900 weeks on the Billboard charts, cementing its legacy as one of the best-selling and most enduring records ever made.

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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.

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Elvis Presley by Elvis Presley - Ep. 90

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

04/01/25 • 29 min

Elvis Presley's self-titled debut album, released on March 23, 1956, is a landmark in rock and roll history. As the first rock album to top the Billboard charts, it helped launch Presley into superstardom and solidified his status as a cultural icon. The album blends rockabilly, rhythm and blues, country, and pop, showcasing Presley's dynamic vocal style and magnetic stage presence.

With hits like "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Tutti Frutti," alongside heartfelt ballads such as "I Love You Because," the record captures the raw energy and rebellious spirit of early rock and roll. Backed by Scotty Moore’s innovative guitar work and Bill Black’s driving bass, Presley's performances exude charisma and youthful excitement.

The cover, featuring Elvis mid-performance with his name in bold pink and green letters, has become one of the most iconic images in music history. More than just an album, Elvis Presley marked the beginning of a revolution, influencing countless artists and shaping the future of rock music.

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Please Please Me by The Beatles - Ep. 74

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

11/19/24 • 39 min

Please Please Me, the debut studio album by The Beatles, burst onto the scene in 1963, marking the beginning of Beatlemania and showcasing the group's electrifying energy and raw talent. Recorded in a single day at Abbey Road Studios, the album captures the essence of their early sound—a mix of rock and roll, skiffle, and R&B influences. With Lennon and McCartney's catchy, tight harmonies on songs like "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Love Me Do," and the passionate title track "Please Please Me," the album solidified The Beatles' chemistry and potential. It also includes their renditions of popular hits, like their soulful cover of "Twist and Shout," which became iconic. This album, brimming with youthful energy and charm, laid the foundation for their revolutionary impact on music and culture in the 1960s.
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Strange Cargo III by William Orbit - Ep. 42

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

03/26/24 • 16 min

"Strange Cargo III" is a mesmerizing sonic journey crafted by electronic music pioneer William Orbit. Released in 1993, this album seamlessly blends ambient, downtempo, and electronic elements to create a lush and immersive listening experience. Orbit's masterful production weaves together intricate layers of synths, samples, and beats, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere that transports listeners to ethereal realms. Each track unfolds like a cinematic vignette, filled with hypnotic rhythms and ethereal melodies that captivate the imagination. From the tranquil beauty of "Water From a Vine Leaf" to the pulsating energy of "The Story of Light," "Strange Cargo III" is a timeless masterpiece that showcases Orbit's innovative approach to electronic music.

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DISCLAIMER: Due to copyright restrictions, we are unable to play pieces of the songs we cover in these episodes. Playing clips of songs are unfortunately prohibitively expensive to obtain the proper licensing. We strongly encourage you to listen to the album along with us on your preferred format to enhance the listening experience.

What did you think of this album? Send us a text!

Support the show

American Beauty by Grateful Dead - Ep. 30

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

10/24/23 • 16 min

"American Beauty" is the fifth studio album by the Grateful Dead, released in 1970. It is widely regarded as one of their most influential and enduring works. The album is a fusion of folk, rock, and country influences, characterized by tight harmonies and a more acoustic sound compared to some of their earlier, more psychedelic work.

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Actually by Pet Shop Boys - Ep. 83

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

02/11/25 • 26 min

Actually is the second studio album by the British synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, released on September 7, 1987. Building on the success of their debut album Please, Actually refined their signature blend of electronic dance-pop, witty lyricism, and social commentary.

The album features some of their most iconic tracks, including "It's a Sin," a dramatic, confessional anthem about religious guilt; "What Have I Done to Deserve This?", a duet with Dusty Springfield that became one of their biggest hits; and "Rent," a melancholic yet stylish song about transactional relationships. The closing track, "King’s Cross," offers a haunting and politically charged reflection on contemporary Britain.

With its mix of danceable beats, lush arrangements, and biting observations on love, class, and culture, Actually cemented Pet Shop Boys' status as one of the most sophisticated and innovative pop acts of the 1980s.

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Steppenwolf by Steppenwolf - Ep. 66

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

09/24/24 • 19 min

Steppenwolf's self-titled debut album, released in 1968, is a landmark in the development of hard rock and heavy metal. The album features a gritty blend of blues, rock, and psychedelia, with raw vocals and distorted guitar work that set the tone for the band's rebellious sound. The record includes the iconic track "Born to Be Wild," which became an anthem for the counterculture and is often credited with coining the term "heavy metal." Other standout tracks like "The Pusher" reflect Steppenwolf's edgy and socially conscious lyrics, marking the album as a bold statement in late '60s rock.
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Destroyer by Kiss - Ep. 29

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

10/17/23 • 22 min

"Destroyer" is the fourth studio album released by the American rock band KISS. It was initially released on March 15, 1976. The album is known for its mix of hard rock and glam rock, and it marked a significant point in KISS's career, helping to solidify their image and popularity.

The album features some of KISS's most iconic songs, including "Detroit Rock City," "Shout It Out Loud," and "Beth." "Detroit Rock City" is particularly famous for its powerful guitar riffs and energetic tempo, while "Beth" is a ballad and one of the band's biggest commercial hits. "Destroyer" also includes other tracks that showcase KISS's theatrical style and signature sound.

The album cover, designed by Ken Kelly, features the band members in various epic poses, and it became an iconic image associated with KISS. "Destroyer" received critical acclaim and played a crucial role in establishing KISS as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1970s. It remains a classic in the rock and glam rock genres.

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The Hissing of Summer Lawns by Joni Mitchell - Ep. 57

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

07/09/24 • 24 min

"The Hissing of Summer Lawns," released in 1975, is Joni Mitchell's seventh studio album, showcasing her continued evolution as an artist. This album marks a departure from her earlier folk sound, incorporating elements of jazz, pop, and world music. It features complex arrangements and sophisticated lyrics that explore themes of suburban life, cultural expectations, and personal freedom. Notable tracks include "The Jungle Line," which samples African drumming, and "In France They Kiss on Main Street," reflecting her innovative approach to music production and storytelling. " The Hissing of Summer Lawns" is celebrated for its bold experimentation and remains a pivotal work in Mitchell's discography.

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McCartney by Paul McCartney - Ep. 39

Polyphonic Press: Classic Album Reviews

03/05/24 • 24 min

Paul McCartney's debut solo album, simply titled "McCartney," released in 1970, showcases a raw and intimate side of the legendary musician following the breakup of The Beatles. Recorded entirely at his home studio, the album captures McCartney's experimental and DIY approach, featuring a mix of folk-inspired acoustic tunes and quirky, homemade recordings. With its lo-fi production and deeply personal lyrics reflecting on love, loss, and everyday life, "McCartney" offers a stripped-down yet captivating glimpse into McCartney's creative genius and musical versatility, laying the foundation for his prolific solo career.

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