Tracy Chapman
Artist: Tracy Chapman
Community Score: 8.35

Arriving with little fanfare in the spring of 1988, Tracy Chapman's eponymous debut album became one of the key records of the Bush era, providing a touchstone for the entire PC movement while reviving the singer/songwriter tradition. And Tracy Chapman is firmly within the classic singer/songwriter tradition, sounding for all the world as if it... Read More

Used Guitars
Artist: Marti Jones

Marti Jones' best effort to date, Used Guitars expands on her folk-pop foundations to stretch into soul ("Twisted Vines") and piano ballads (the stunning "Ruby," co-written by Janis Ian). Again, the songs are astutely chosen and feature contributions from John Hiatt, Graham Parker, and Jackie DeShannon; Jones' own compositions, penned with Don... Read More

1984-1989
Artist: Lloyd Cole & The Commotions

The lush, facile simplicity of Lloyd Cole's music is brimmed with cushioned harmonies and soft-spoken choruses, and more often than not deals with the complexity of love. Accompanied by the bright jangle of guitar that's hitched to palatable pop tempos, his work with backup band the Commotions produced a number of melody-ridden songs that are... Read More

In My Tribe
Artist: 10,000 Maniacs
Community Score: 7.38

10,000 Maniacs's breakthrough album and creative high point, In My Tribe offers a survey of social concerns, including child abuse ("What's the Matter Here"), illiteracy ("Cherry Tree"), war ("Gun Shy"), and the environment ("Campfire Song") -- all tackled subtly and tastefully without too much preaching or pretension and in believable,... Read More

The Innocence Mission
Artist: The Innocence Mission
Community Score: 10.00

Karen Peris has the voice of an angel. On their major label debut, the Innocence Mission showcase Peris' otherworldly folkie rock tunes. The music is extremely in-the-moment. This self-titled release is a pleasure to listen to; however, the songs don't stay with you between listens. ~ Tim Griggs, All Music Guide Read More

It Happened One Night
Artist: John Wesley Harding

This solo acoustic outing, recorded live in England in 1988, seems like an odd choice for a debut, but it comes off very well. Capturing both John Wesley Harding's folk roots and a wonderful sense of humor, It Happened One Night gives a very representative picture of the singer/songwriter. Included are early versions of songs appearing on the... Read More

Romeo at Juilliard
Artist: Don Dixon

Dixon's domestic debut featured more of his skewed songs, and here he was aided and abetted by such compatriots as Mitch Easter and Marti Jones (who is his wife). ~ William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide Read More

Under a Blackened Sky
Artist: Sarah McLachlan

When Under a Blackened Sky was recorded in 1995, Sarah McLachlan's only commercially available live recording was 1992's Live EP on Nettwerk. However, a fair amount of McLachlan bootlegs surfaced in the 1990s. One of the most rewarding was Under a Blackened Sky, which was recorded live at Denver's Paramount Theater on March 8, 1995. Put out by... Read More