Steely Dan signaled a shift in direction 45 years ago today with the release of ‘Aja,’ a finely tuned lyrical and musical triumph.

Released 35 years ago today, ‘Big Generator’ took a step back after Yes’ complete reinvention with ‘90125.’ What went wrong?

Issued 15 years ago this week, ‘River: The Joni Letters’ took flight by celebrating Joni Mitchell without making Herbie Hancock a sideman on his own LP.

Released 50 years ago today, ‘Close to the Edge’ represented a dramatic furthering of Yes’ creative process. They’d lose one member along the way.

All of Brian Eno’s strikingly varied experience was brought to bear 30 years ago this week with an LP that was both booty wagging and intelligent.

Bob Mould’s post-Husker Du band Sugar debuted 30 years ago today with ‘Copper Blue,’ then soon vanished. Here’s where to find everything they recorded.

This concludes Mick Raubenheimer’s series examining ‘Joe Garage,’ the three-part rock opera released by Frank Zappa in September and November 1979.

Warren Zevon didn’t just release his best album since ‘Excitable Boy’ 35 years ago today. He released his best album, period.

‘Pacific Ocean Blue’ arrived 45 years ago today as a rare spotlight for the Beach Boys’ craggy-voiced bad boy Dennis Wilson.

This is the second in a series where Mick Raubenheimer examines ‘Joe’s Garage,’ a three-part rock opera by Frank Zappa from 1979.