From the Record Crate: Pet Shop Boys – “Actually” (1987)

The Pet Shop Boys had a hard act to follow. The group’s debut album, Please, has sold around three million copies worldwide and spawned four hit singles, one of which was that inescapable 1980s song “West End Girls.” Not to…

From the Record Crate: Iggy Pop – “Lust For Life” (1977)

When people think Iggy Pop, they mostly think Lust for Life. Pop’s second album, released on August 29, 1977 is easily his most successful and most commercially recognizable. It spawned multiple hits, achieved critical and commercial success, and helped set…

From The Record Crate: Albert King – “Born Under a Bad Sign” (1967)

I’ve been teaching guitar for a few years now, and one of the most exciting aspects of the job is the opportunity to introduce kids to the work of the legends and some of the more underrated players, but most…

From the Record Crate: The Go-Go’s – “Vacation” (1982)

You often look back on the ‘80s and think about mullet haired rock bands like Aerosmith, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi. People often forget about the girl group that broke out on the scene, delivering pop-rock music with a feminine…

From the Record Crate: Sarah McLachlan – “Surfacing” (1997)

The late 1990s were very good for female singer-songwriters. There was very much a sound of the time: the light, breezy, alternative pop mixed with light folk, type of sound. It was music associated with Lilith Fair and that most…

From The Record Crate: Frank Zappa – Waka/Jawaka (1972)

When it comes to artists as prolific and diverse as Frank Zappa, finding a point in their discography that could serve as a good introduction to newcomers is kind of difficult. Frank was an iconoclast in every sense of the…

From the Record Crate: Sara Bareilles – “Little Voice” (2007)

If you’re a musical theater buff like I am, I’m sure you’ve heard of the musical Waitress and know every song from beginning to end and can rattle off every single word sung. For those of us less familiar with…