91.3fm Wyep: Discumentary

From the ashes of college-radio faves Camper Van Beethoven, came Cracker. David Lowery formed Cracker which brings a mainstream rock sound to his quirky and cynical lyrics. Their debut album earned them success in the growing alternative radio scene of the time, as well as a mainstream hit.

Taking close to three years off between his debut album and Poses, this album features Rufus Wainwright with a soaring full band, and in scaled down acoustic numbers. His theatrical-style is enhanced with elements of opera, rock and electronica.

Uncle Tupelo's final effort is often hailed as their best, a perfect blend of the elements in their country-rock sound. This album was recorded completely live in an Austin studio. Less than a year after its release, both Son Volt and Wilco had been created from Uncle Tupelo's ashes.

Although it was a commercial failure, Dusty in Memphis is regarded by many critics to be one of the greatest albums of all time. This album mixes the sultry soulful voice of the British Pop singer with the production team for Aretha Franklin and the songwriting skills of Goffin and King, Bacharach and David, and Randy Newman.

Upon its release, Interview Magazine called Exile in Guyville "folk rock that could make you blush". This is Liz Phair's response to the Rolling Stones classic Exile on Main St. -- a pretty big undertaking for a debut album.

Ronstadt's fifth album, which made her a star. She perfects her folk rock sound through covers of songs by Paul Anka, Hank Williams and Anna McGarrigle. This album had number one hits on the country and pop charts, went platinum, and even earned Ronstadt a Grammy award.

John Lee Hooker was already a legend before the making of this album. Produced by Van Morrison and Los Lobos, it features new songs a few classic remakes, further cementing his legendary status.

Armatrading's second non-acoustic album turned her into a pop star in Britian. For this album she ranges from folk rock, to new wave to reggae. She's joined by Thomas Dolby, Sly and Robbie, Steve Lillywhite and Andy Partridge from XTC.

Miriam Mekaba's life has been an interesting one. From her beginnings as a South African jazz singer to her thirty year exile from her homeland. Mekaba chronicles these experiences on this disc, and also updates her worldwide hit "Pata Pata".

This is the third, last and most experimental album that The Jimi Hendrix Experience released. It shows Hendrix's versatility; not only as a guitarist, but also as a singer and producer. Even with its experimental nature, it generated a couple of hits for Hendrix at the time, and remains a legendary album today.

This is the album that made this sixty-something year old gospel group known to more than the "masses". With a little help from Robert Randolph and the Family Band and Ben Harper, It won them their second Grammy award and it features songs from Prince, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfieldand even Parliament Funkadelic.

The The is the concept of its leader, Matt Johnson, the band's line-up varies from album to album. This time around his band featured Johnny Marr of the Smiths. Controversial and political in nature, Mind Bomb features songs with titles like like "The Beat(en) Generation" and "Armageddon Days are here (Again)".

After the demise of Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams went solo with the album Heartbreaker, to much critical praise. But it was his Gold album that broke him out into the mainstream, earning him crossover success and new legions of fans.

The album that The Church is most renowned for, it features their smash single "Under the Milky Way". The U.S. breakthrough gave the Church a top forty hit and a Gold album, as well as sold out world tours.

This album is a series of demos that the Modern Lovers recorded in 1973 with John Cale of the Velvet Underground producing. It was released three years later three years after the band had broken up. Jonathan Richman used the Modern Lovers name on other projects he worked on, but the original line up of Richman, Jerry Harrison, David Robinson and Ernie Brooks went on to make a classic album, that is still highly regarded by critics.

The Cranberries formed in Limerick, Ireland in 1990, and three years later they had their first of many Top 10 hits. The band's sound is defined by the vocals of Dolores O'Riordan, who co-writes the songs with bass player Noel Hogan.

This is the breakout album for Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers, it includes the single "Tomorrow People". Produced by Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club members Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz, this album is one of the top-selling reggae albums ever.

Marcia Ball mixes the blues with country honky-tonk and a little boogie on this album. This is the first album to showcase Ball's songwriting skills and it also features her notorious piano playing, that at times would make Jerry Lee Lewis jealous.

Patti Smith's groundbreaking debut album, often called the first art punk album. Smith's fusion of poetry and music defines a unique style that she continues to develop to this day.

Part glam rock, part progressive rock, Bowie$#39;s classic redefined himself in the UK and made him a hit for the first time in the US.