#563 - Copper Blue, Sugar

"Bob Mould's first project with new band Sugar, 1992's Copper Blue, would become the most commercially successful project of his career. Of course, it was released just as the seeds sown by his former band were bearing bountiful fruits in the post-Nirvana alternative nation, which provided ample explanation for its phenomenal success. But Sugar were well deserving of their success, regardless of time and place." (allmusic guide)

#562 - In A Silent Way, Miles Davis

"Miles helps define jazz/rock Fusion and even influenced electronica and new age with the help of Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock and others. At one song per side, this jam session is actually more straight-ahead than Miles In the Sky or Bitches Brew." (real music guide)




#561 - Seconds Out, Genesis

"Part of the beauty of this album is the sheer flexibility of the band during this period -- in addition to superb vocals throughout, on "Robbery, Assault & Battery" Phil Collins turns in a beautiful keyboard solo; and the drumming by Chester Thompson is at least a match for Collins' best playing." (allmusic guide)


#560 - Amorica, The Black Crowes

"Following the hit Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, Amorica was seen as a bit of a disappointment in that no singles came with its release and the record went largely unnoticed. Years later, the album stands as one of Black Crowes' best efforts, extending the legacies of Humble Pie, the Stones and War." (real music guide)

#559 - Mercury Falling, Sting

"A quiet, direct album from the British songsmith, Mercury Falling finds Sting leaving his previously ubiquitous jazz obsessions behind for a set of simple songs that, while not exactly his finest moments, will please casual fans and die-hards alike." (real music guide)




#558 - Rock & Roll Animal, Lou Reed

"This live album is where most of the world discovered Velvet Underground songs. "Animal" only went to No. 45 on the charts, but it kept selling throughout the 1970s, and "Sweet Jane" became an FM rock classic. It hasn't aged as well as his other works, but it's a solid meeting of great songs and butt-rock guitars. Art and commerce both win." (real music guide)

#557 - Over-Nite Sensation, Frank Zappa

"Love it or hate it, Over-Nite Sensation was a watershed album for Frank Zappa, the point where his post-'60s aesthetic was truly established; it became his first gold album, and most of these songs became staples of his live shows for years to come...As with much of Zappa's best '70s and '80s material, Over-Nite Sensation could be perceived as ideologically problematic (if you haven't got the constitution for FZ's humor), but musically, it's terrific." (allmusic guide)