Big Star Radio City LP

Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time - Rated 359/500!

Seemingly snake-bit from the start, Big Star's pure creative side exploded with their first two albums, both of which would eventually become icons of American Power Pop. This Memphis foursome, originally founded by Chris Bell in 1971 and joined shortly thereafter by the legendary chameleon Alex Chilton, would suffer due to personnel issues and distribution problems by their label, delaying their place in musical history. One of the ultimate cult bands in popular music, #1 Record and Radio City would both influence artists-to-come such as Tom Petty, R.E.M., The Replacements and The Bangles, to name just a few. Both titles placed within Rolling Stone magazine's poll of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Radio City is the second album by the American rock group Big Star. Released in 1974, Radio City was recorded during 1973 at Memphis' Ardent Studios. Though not a commercial success at the time, it is now recognized as a milestone album in the history of power pop music.

Radio City is notable for its unique, chewy guitar sound and live-sounding yet meticulous textures. The album shows a southern US band under the influence of British Invasion bands such as The Beatles and The Kinks.

Radio City features the Big Star line up of Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel and Jody Stephens.

On this lean, guitar-driven LP, they come up with a new, upside-down pop sound, filtering their love of the Beatles through their Memphis-soul roots. Towering achievement: the blissful, sad 'September Gurls.'

Reissues of Big Star's work are abundant, including multiple repressings of these albums, but unless you're willing to take out a second mortgage to afford OG copies of #1 Record and Radio City, this is truly your best bet. Both Craft pressings were taken from the original analog master tapes and sound exactly as you'd hope. The rockers explode, the ballads melt, and everything in between feels as cushy and warm as ever. If you have some Christmas cash still burning a hole in your pocket, use it to get these into your collection.