Released 30 years ago this month, the Smithereens’ ’11’ is defined by haystacks of penetrating hooks and in-the-pocket musicianship.

“Just Another Story” arrived 25 years ago today as part of Jamiroquai’s sophomore release, ‘Return of the Space Cowboy.’

Released 45 years ago today, ‘Streetlife Serenade’ arrived at a time when Billy Joel was more singer-songwriter than stadium-filling showman.

Released 10 years ago today, ‘Testament Paris/London’ marked a continuation of Keith Jarrett’s striking tightrope walks without a net.

Released 15 years ago today, Tom Waits’ ‘Real Gone’ is like your favorite pair of jeans: well-worn, full of character and hard to improve upon.

Released 30 years ago this week, ‘Flying Cowboys’ marked another left turn in Rickie Lee Jones’ career.

Released 50 years ago this week, the Temptations’ ‘Puzzle People’ is a blast of hard-edged soul, blistering funk fumes and acid-baked artiness.

Elvis Costello referenced past triumphs 15 years ago this week with ‘The Delivery Man,’ but he was never beholden to them.

Released 25 years ago this week, ‘Dos Dedos Mis Amigos’ found Pop Will Eat Itself swerving into the then-hip industrial sound.

Released 10 years ago this week, Mark Knopfler’s ‘Get Lucky’ offered us a compelling distillation of his thematic and musical storytelling.