Every Picture Tells A Story by Rod Stewart

Every Picture Tells A Story was released in 1971. This album was Rod Stewart's best and set the standard for all of his subsequent albums. It is rated as one of the greatest albums in the history of rock. It ranked #1 on the charts and went platinum. The album is a mixture of rock, country, blues, soul, and folk.
The song "Every Picture Tells A Story" opens the album with a bang. The song is full of soul and Stewart sings with passion. "Seems Like A Long Time" slows the album down with an R&B sound. He does an amazing version of "That's All Right Mama" which had been done earlier by Elvis Presley. "Maggie May" is the song that made this album a classic and was a radio hit. This album is a must have for anyone who enjoys rock or soul!

RATING: 5 out of 5

Tracks:

• Every Picture Tells A Story
• Seems Like A Long Time
• That's All Right Mama
• Tomorrow Is A Long Time
• Maggie May
• Mandolin Wind
• (I Know) I'm Losing You
• (Find A) Reason To Believe
  

Heart Break by New Edition

New Edition's fifth album, Heart Break, was released in June of 1988. The album reached #3 in R&B. This was group member Johnny Gill's first album after Bobby Brown left the group. Gill proved to be a excellent addition to the group. Heart Break was released during the beginning of the new jack swing era. It has been said that this album helped to make new jack swing a dominant music genre in the late 80s.
Heart Break is totally different compared to their previous albums. This album has a mature, smooth and soulful sound. The albums biggest hits are "If It Isn't Love," "You're Not My Kind Of Girl" and "Can You Stand The Rain." This album has excellent tunes if you are a fan of R&B. Every track is a hit!

RATING: 4.8

Tracks:

• That's The Way We're Livin'
• Where It All Started
• If It Isn't Love
• N.E. Heart Break
• Crucial
• You're Not My Kind Of Girl
• Can You Stand The Rain
• Competition
• I'm Coming Home
• Boys To Men
  

All For Love by New Edition

New Edition's third album, All For Love, was released in November of 1985. This was group member Bobby Brown's last album with New Edition until the comeback album, Home Again in 1996. All For Love was released during a transitional period in music when rap was becoming more popular in mainstream music. People were bored with New Edition's boyish sound and wanted something more mature.
This album is similar to their previous album titled New Edition. This album opens with "Count Me Out" which still had some of that boyish sound that was seen in previous albums. "A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)" is a sample of New Edition's transition into a more mature group.
This album has some great tunes and will bring back memories from the 80s. My favorite songs from this album are: Count Me Out, A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes) and Sweet Thing. This album is definitely worth checking out.

RATING: 3.8 out of 5

Tracks:

• Count Me Out
• A Little Bit Of Love (Is All It Takes)
• Sweet Thing
• With You All The Way
  
• Let's Be Friends
• Kickback
• Tonight's Your Night
• Whispers In Bed
• Who Do You Trust
• School
• All For Love

Thriller by Michael Jackson

Thriller was released in 1982 and has reigned as the world's best selling album. Since 1982, Thriller has sold over 110 million copies worldwide. It was Michael Jackson's goal to create an album that would make him the greatest artist of all time. He wanted this album to be exciting and edgy to all listeners. Before Thriller, minorities were not featured on MTV. Michael wanted to make a music video so outstanding that MTV could not refuse him. Thriller broke racial barriers for minorities in the music industry.
It features a series of upbeat songs. "Billie Jean," "Beat It" and "Thriller" are among the best known. After Thriller, Michael Jackson's goal was to write another album that could top Thriller, but he could not accomplish that goal. This album is a must have for all music lovers.

RATING: 5 out of 5

Tracks:

• Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
• Baby Be Mine
• The Girl Is Mine ft. Paul McCartney
• Thriller
• Beat It
• Billie Jean
• Human Nature
• P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)
• The Lady In My Life

Simply Nothing by Shawn McDonald

Shawn McDonald is a contemporary Christian musician. He originates from Eugene, Oregon where he lived with his grandparents. Simply Nothing was released in August 2004 and is Shawn McDonald's first studio album. The album is filled with acoustic melodies, which are inspirational and uplifting. A few of my favorite songs on this album are: "Gravity," "Hold On," "Simply Nothing," "Beautiful" and "Open Me." This album is a must have for all music lovers, especially lovers of Christian music.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5




Tracks:

• Take My Hand
• Gravity
• Hold On
• Simply Nothing
• Beautiful
• Don't Walk Away
• All I Need
• Take This Life
• Have You Ever!
• Here I Am
• Yahweh
• Open Me