Albums released on 5 December
1981 · 45 YEARS
Damaged
Black Flag
Henry Rollins joined Black Flag for this 1981 release, providing a visceral intensity that helped define hardcore. The record remains a confrontational work, turning pure frustration into a template for the genre.
1972 · 54 YEARS
Heads
Osibisa
Blending traditional West African rhythms with the London jazz-funk scene, Osibisa hit their stride in 1972. This release captures the group as they became a global phenomenon through their signature criss-cross percussion style.
1983 · 43 YEARS
Timely!!
Anri
Anri crafted this 1983 record during the height of Japan's bubble-era optimism. It is known for its sun-drenched energy, featuring the hit Cat's Eye alongside smooth, breezy melodies.
2000 · 26 YEARS
Renegades
Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine turned their attention to their influences for this 2000 release. The band reimagined tracks by Bob Dylan, Cypress Hill, and Bruce Springsteen into high-octane anthems.
1994 · 32 YEARS
Second Coming
The Stone Roses
Following years of legal friction, The Stone Roses pivoted away from their jangly debut for this 1994 release. It is a sprawling, blues-heavy experiment that favors hard rock riffs and long psychedelic jams.
1969 · 57 YEARS
Completely Well
B.B. King
B.B. King achieved a major crossover success in 1969 with this record. It proves the artist could dominate the charts while remaining rooted in his signature blues style.
1985 · 41 YEARS
Astra
Asia
Asia navigated internal shifts with this 1985 release, the only studio project featuring guitarist Mandy Meyer. It is a polished, high-stakes record defined by melodic intensity and stadium rock arrangements.
2006 · 20 YEARS
The Sweet Escape
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani embraced a playful, experimental approach for this 2006 follow-up. It balances high-energy dance tracks with vulnerable ballads, famously sampling The Sound of Music.
2014 · 12 YEARS
Monuments To An Elegy
The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan adopted a direct, guitar-driven approach for this 2014 release. The songs are concise, prioritizing urgency and melody over the sprawling epics found in earlier work.
1978 · 48 YEARS
Stateless
Lene Lovich
Lene Lovich brought theatrical energy and vocal gymnastics to this 1978 release. Anchored by the success of Lucky Number, it is a standout piece of art-punk that does not take itself too seriously.
1994 · 32 YEARS
ISDN
The Future Sound Of London
The Future Sound Of London performed these tracks live over digital lines in 1994. The result is a raw, unpredictable document that feels like a captured moment rather than a standard studio session.
1985 · 41 YEARS
When A Guitar Plays The Blues
Roy Buchanan
Roy Buchanan, a player known for turning down the Rolling Stones, displays his expressive style on this 1985 release. It is a high point for Alligator Records and a showcase for a unique guitar talent.
2002 · 24 YEARS
Evil Heat
Primal Scream
Kevin Shields contributed dense guitar textures to this 2002 release. The record captures Primal Scream as they moved into darker, krautrock-inspired electronic territory.
1969 · 57 YEARS
Morgen
Morgen
Morgen released this fuzz-drenched record in 1969. It captures the transition from flower power into a grittier, proto-metal aesthetic that feels ahead of its time.
2005 · 21 YEARS
Chemistry
Girls Aloud
Xenomania pushed pop boundaries with this 2005 release by stitching together disparate ideas. The record is a high-energy collage of hooks, representing the peak of British pop ambition.
1984 · 42 YEARS
Siberia
Diaframma
Diaframma reached a melancholic peak with this 1984 debut. Defined by sharp, jagged guitar lines and detached vocals, the record is a masterclass in minimalist tension within the post-punk scene.
2006 · 20 YEARS
The Bird And The Bee
The Bird And The Bee
The Bird And The Bee debuted in 2006 with a blend of retro-pop and modern electronic production. The record acts as a whimsical love letter to 60s jazz-pop filtered through a digital lens.
2007 · 19 YEARS
Hannah Montana 2
Hannah Montana
Teen pop culture peaked with this 2007 release, a definitive time capsule of the mid-2000s digital transition. It balances high-energy anthems with sentimental ballads.
1969 · 57 YEARS
Bakerloo
Bakerloo
Guitarist Dave Clempson led Bakerloo through this 1969 set, which includes a distorted interpretation of Bach. It serves as a crucial bridge between the late-sixties blues boom and progressive rock.
1987 · 39 YEARS
Before The Diamond Dust Fades...... = ダイアモンドダストが消えぬまに
Yumi Matsutoya
Yumi Matsutoya captured the beauty of a Japanese winter on this 1987 classic. The record is a sophisticated blend of pop melodies, sharp synth-driven arrangements, and soul-inspired vocals.