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An unbelievable debut from Bob Dylan's backing band, made whilst Dylan recovered from a motorcycle accident in 1968. They moved out to Woodstock, where The Band rented a big pink house where they created a live sounding album drenched in folklore, Americana and a certain mythology unlike anything heard before. It's an album that never fails to transport you to another place and time. To give one song in particular a mention, "The Weight" might be up there with one of my favourite songs of all time.

This album was my way into Dylan, as it could be said for many people. Here his voice isn't as much a hurdle, as I'd found in some of his earlier efforts - it is tuneful, intimate and perfectly situated within the instrumentation. Every song is wonderfully crafted, with pointed lyrics, heartbreaking honesty and each song paints a vivid picture of a breakdown of a relationship. With such an extensive catalog, I always find myself coming back to Dylan's "break-up" album above all others.

I've recently come back to this album and given it's over 50 year's old, it still sounds as relevant as ever. Due to (at the time of writing) the current socioeconomic climate, the topics Gaye sings about it could almost be released today. Tackling such topics from a crooner allows the subject matters to delve into the listeners consciousness in the guise of a beautiful soul song, all the while landing heavy hitting messages that will have you humming along or dancing. Marvin Gaye was quoted in saying he wanted to make something that made everyone sit up and take notice and people did then, but maybe it's time we all give this another listen.

Stevie Wonder started one of the greatest album runs of all time with "Music of My Mind" and culminated in "Songs in the Key of Life", a run of five amazing albums. Sat in the middle of this was "Innervisions", it builds upon the pervious two albums and manages to achieve a greater balance in overall subject and sound. Themes on social commentary, love, spirituality are here like many of the album's in this run, but somehow everything seems tighter, more resolved here.

Rubber Soul marks the turning point of the Fab Four from teen pop act into critically acclaimed musicians in their own right. Later album's may feature on more "greatest albums of all time" lists, but Rubber Soul for me blends the two sides of The Beatles perfectly (pop & rock). Without this album, later and more experimental records would not have been possible - this is the foundation of what is to come from the world's greatest band.