10 Best Marriage of Musical Genres: A 2023 Guide
The world of music is always evolving, and with that comes new genres and sub-genres. Sometimes two genres will merge and create something special. Here are 10 of the best examples of musical genres that have been married together.
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Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik
The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ fifth album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, was their breakthrough into the mainstream. The album’s first half is strong, with the singles “Give It Away” and “Under the Bridge” being among the band’s best work. The second half of the album is more uneven, but there are still some good tracks. Overall, this is a very good album and recommended for fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Michael Jackson – Thriller
The King of Pop. The Gloved One. Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’. Beat It. Billie Jean. Thriller.
If there’s one artist that embodies the sound and style of pop music, it’s Michael Jackson. A true pioneer in the industry, Jackson’s career spans four decades and his influence can be heard in the music of today.
The album that needs no introduction, Thriller was released in 1982 and went on to become the best-selling album of all time. Featuring some of Jackson’s most iconic hits like “Billie Jean” and the title track, “Thriller”, the album is a timeless classic that is still as popular today as it was when it was first released.
A must-have for any fan of pop music, Thriller is a true classic that belongs in every music collection.
Led Zeppelin – IV
The fourth album from Led Zeppelin, commonly known as “Led Zeppelin IV” and originally titled “Untitled”, was released on 8 November 1971 by Atlantic Records. It was recorded between December 1970 and September 1971 at various locations, including Island Studios and Olympic Studios in London, England, and Headley Grange in Hampshire, England. The album contains one of the band’s most popular songs, “Stairway to Heaven”.
It is Led Zeppelin’s best-selling album, with sales of over 37 million copies worldwide. In 2012, Rolling Stone ranked it number 65 on their list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 2016, the magazine ranked it number four on their updated list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, tied with their previous album Led Zeppelin III.
The original vinyl release featured an intricate gatefold sleeve with a die-cut inner sleeve. The front cover featured a photograph of a rural English cottage taken by guitarist Jimmy Page, while the back cover showed the band’s name spelled out in runes. The inner sleeve featured photographs of each band member surrounded by a Celtic motif.
The album was remastered and reissued on CD in 2007, with bonus tracks added.
The Beatles – Abbey Road
The Beatles – Abbey Road (2019 Stereo Mix)
I grew up listening to The Beatles. I never really got into them until I was about 10 years old and my dad showed me how cool they were. I bought this album on CD when it first came out and I still listen to it all the time. The Beatles are just timeless.
This album is just perfect. Every song is a classic and there isn’t a bad one in the bunch. My favorites are “Come Together”, “Something”, “Octopus’s Garden”, and “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”. But really, every song is great.
The new stereo mix is fantastic. It’s so clear and vibrant. You can hear everything so well. Paul’s bass playing is particularly stunning. And Ringo’s drumming is just as amazing as ever.
If you’re a Beatles fan, you need this album in your collection. If you’re not a Beatles fan, this is a great place to start. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Nirvana – Nevermind
Nirvana’s second album, Nevermind, was released on September 24, 1991. The album was Nirvana’s breakthrough album, and is considered one of the most influential albums of the 1990s. It was responsible for popularizing alternative rock, and bringing grunge to the mainstream.
Nevermind was produced by Butch Vig and recorded at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California. The album features some of Nirvana’s most well-known songs, including “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are”, and “In Bloom”.
The album artwork was designed by Kurt Cobain and features a naked baby swimming towards a dollar bill on a fishhook. The image has become one of the most iconic images in music history.
Nevermind was an immediate success upon its release, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album has been certified diamond by the RIAA, with sales of over 30 million copies worldwide.
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon
It would be hard to overestimate the impact that Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon had upon its release in 1973. An instant classic, the album was a commercial and critical success, topping charts around the world and selling over 50 million copies. It is often cited as one of the greatest albums of all time, and its influence can still be felt today, nearly half a century later.
The Dark Side of the Moon is a concept album, exploring the dark side of human nature, with themes such as mental illness, greed, and conflict. The album’s iconic artwork, featuring a black triangle on a background of rainbow colours, is itself a symbol of the album’s themes.
The album opens with “Speak to Me”, a short track featuring the sound of heartbeat, which leads into “Breathe”, one of the album’s most popular tracks. This is followed by “On the Run”, an atmospheric piece featuring sounds of aircraft taking off and landing.
“Time” is another standout track, with its ticking clock sound effects and lyrics about the passage of time. “The Great Gig in the Sky” is a beautiful and moving instrumental track, featuring vocals by Clare Torry.
“Money” is perhaps the most well-known track on the album, with its catchy bassline and ironic lyrics about the role of money in society. “Us and Them” is another standout track, with its powerful lyrics about the futility of war.
The album closes with “Brain Damage”, a haunting track about mental illness, and “Eclipse”, a brief but beautiful synthesizer-led piece.
Overall, The Dark Side of the Moon is a masterpiece, a timeless classic that has rightfully earned its place as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited
It’s been nearly 50 years since Bob Dylan released Highway 61 Revisited, and the album still sounds as fresh and relevant as ever. Recorded in just six days in New York City with a band that included Mike Bloomfield on lead guitar, the album is a masterful blend of blues, folk, rock, and country music.
Dylan’s songwriting is at its peak on Highway 61 Revisited, with classics like “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Ballad of a Thin Man,” and “Desolation Row” standing alongside more personal songs like “It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry” and “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues.” The album’s production is impeccable, with Dylan’s raw vocals and the band’s energetic playing perfectly captured by producer Bob Johnston.
Highway 61 Revisited is an essential album for any fan of Bob Dylan or good music in general. It’s one of those rare albums that gets better with each listen, revealing new depths of meaning and beauty with each spin. If you’ve never heard it before, do yourself a favor and give it a try. You won’t be disappointed.
The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St.
The Rolling Stones are often thought of as the “bad boys” of rock & roll, and with good reason. They’ve been making music for over 50 years, and in that time they’ve amassed a legion of fans who love them for their rebellious attitude and their willingness to push the envelope. With their new album, Exile on Main St., the Stones have once again proven that they’re not afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable.
The album is a return to form for the band, and it’s one of their best albums in years. It’s a raw, gritty album that captures the essence of what the Stones are all about. The songs are catchy and hook-laden, and the production is top-notch. If you’re a fan of the Stones, or if you’re just looking for a great rock & roll album, Exile on Main St. is definitely worth checking out.
David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
It was one of those concerts that people talk about for years. I was 12 years old when I saw David Bowie in concert for the first time. It was the “Ziggy Stardust” tour and I was hooked from the first note. The energy, the showmanship, the music, it was all incredible. I’ve seen Bowie several times since then, but that first concert is still the one that stands out in my mind.
The “Ziggy Stardust” album is one of my all-time favorites and this tour was in support of that album. The setlist included all of the songs from the album plus a few other classics. Bowie was in top form and the band was tight. It was an amazing performance from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of Bowie or just want to see a great concert, I highly recommend checking out this DVD. It’s a must-have for any fan’s collection.
The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in 1964 in New York City by singer/guitarist Lou Reed, multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and drummer Angus MacLise (who was quickly replaced by Moe Tucker). The band was initially active between 1965 and 1973, and was briefly managed by the pop artist Andy Warhol, serving as the house band at the Factory and playing on many of his early films. They are often cited as one of the most influential rock bands of their era.
The Velvet Underground’s sound was characteristically sparse and atmospheric, using feedback and string instruments to create a “sound of physical force and emotional intensity”, according to critic Mark Deming. Their music was also marked by its lyrical focus on controversial topics such as drug abuse, prostitution, sadomasochism and deviant sexual behavior, which reflected the personal experiences of Reed and Cale.
The Velvet Underground became notorious for their live performances, which often featured explicit material that would have been banned from radio airplay at the time. They gained a reputation for being one of the most challenging and innovative bands of their era, and were one of the few American rock bands to be embraced by the avant-garde art community. Despite their lack of commercial success, the band exerted a considerable influence on underground and alternative rock scenes during the 1970s and 1980s.
In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Velvet Underground #96 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, calling them “the most self-destructive band ever” and “one of the few American groups to challenge the values of mainstream culture.” In 2007, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.