Discumentary: WYEP's Discumentary: The Pretenders "Learning to Crawl"

By 2007, The Dap Kings were rising stars in music, due to their appearance on Amy Winehouse’s “Back in Black” a year earlier. With Sharon Jones on vocals, the group released their 3rd album that year. Recorded on all analog equipment, the album sounds like an old classic, while still remaining fresh.

Cat Stevens’ reinvented himself with his 1970 album “Mona Bone Jakon”, and quickly followed it up with this classic release. Even returning with the same band and producer from his previous album, Stevens carried his reinvention further. This album features his smash hit “Wild World”.

After the break up of alt-country pioneers Uncle Tupelo, Jay Farrar formed Son Volt. This is the band’s debut which continues on a darker path somewhere between country and rock and roll. Well received by critics, it is considered by many to be one of the best albums of 1995.

“Time Out of Mind” is Dylan’s 29th studio record and first album since 1990. Produced by Daniel Lanois (U2, Brian Eno) the album featured dark lyrics and more blues and country style songs. It marked a comeback for Dylan in the 90’s and spawned the hits “Lovesick” and “Not Dark Yet”.

Bob Dylan’s second album is a true classic. Whereas his debut album contained many covers, “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” is when he unveiled his gift for songwriting. Containing funny, political and romantic songs, this is the album that introduced Bob Dylan to the world.

" In the early 90’s Emmylou Harris experienced diminishing success as a country music artist. With “Wrecking Ball” she re-invented herself musically, with help from U2 producer Daniel Lanois. Moody and atmospheric, the album also features guest performances from Steve Earle, Larry Mullen Jr., The McGarrigle Sisters and Neil Young."

Arcade Fire’s 2004 debut took many by surprise. Funeral shows the Canadian 5-piece band with their fascinating arrangements and a big sound for an indie-rock band. Funeral set the stage for Arcade Fire to grow bigger musically and become one of the most successful acts of recent years.

With only a small cult following in the U.S., Sarah McLachlan released this album and watched her star rise. The album features one of her best-known songs, “Posession” about obsession from a stalker’s perspective.

Janis Ian’s seventh album was released in 1975, when she was just 24 years old. It won her two Grammy Awards and contains her best known song, “At Seventeen”. Ian wrote all of the song for the album, and did most of the arrangements.

The second of two albums released by the Grateful Dead in 1970, American Beauty is the first album to feature the band’s collaboration with mandolin player David Grisman. It is considered among the Dead’s greatest albums, and features the hit “Truckin”.