The Plastic blog
January 24th
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published



Adele • 21
Released 24 January 2011 · 16th anniversary
Heartbreak rarely sounds this powerful or cathartic. These songs turned a personal breakup into a universal anthem for anyone who has ever had to pick up the pieces after a devastating loss.
Raw piano arrangements and soulful, blues-inflected vocals define the record's stripped-back aesthetic. It captures a timeless, neo-soul energy that feels both deeply intimate and grand enough to fill any room.

Warren Zevon • Excitable Boy
Released 24 January 1978 · 49th anniversary
Dark humor meets sophisticated songwriting in this collection of twisted character studies. It features everything from mercenary ghost stories to the iconic, howling anthem that became a permanent fixture of late-night radio.
Produced by Jackson Browne and Waddy Wachtel, the record captures the cynical, polished sound of the late-seventies Los Angeles rock scene. The arrangements balance piano-driven pop sensibilities with a sharp, biting wit that remains uniquely unsettling.

Weezer • Weezer
Released 24 January 2019 · 8th anniversary
Fans were caught completely off guard when the band leaned into a full-blown covers project, tackling some of the most iconic pop and rock anthems of the eighties. It is a strange, neon-soaked detour that trades the group's signature garage-rock grit for a polished, synth-heavy aesthetic.
Released through Crush Music, this collection feels like a high-budget karaoke night filtered through a modern production lens. The record leans heavily into electronic textures, proving that even the most sacred radio staples can be reimagined with a digital, upbeat twist.

The Black Crowes • Shake Your Money Maker
Released 24 January 1990 · 37th anniversary
The band channeled the raw, soulful energy of the Rolling Stones and Faces just as the polished hair-metal era was starting to lose its grip. Their cover of Otis Redding’s "Hard to Handle" became an instant staple, but the acoustic depth of "She Talks to Angels" proved they were far more than just a retro-rock act.
Recorded in a gritty, no-nonsense style, the album feels like a late-night jam session in a smoky bar. It captures a specific moment in 1990 when blues-infused rock and roll felt dangerous and authentic again, stripped of the excess that defined the previous decade.

Aretha Franklin • Young, Gifted And Black
Released 24 January 1972 · 55th anniversary
Deeply personal songwriting takes center stage here, as the Queen of Soul pivots from her usual covers to reveal a more vulnerable, introspective side of her artistry. The title track serves as a powerful anthem of self-empowerment, grounding the record in a profound sense of identity and pride.
Recorded at Atlantic’s legendary studios, the production captures a raw, organic warmth that defines the early seventies soul sound. You can hear the tight interplay of the Muscle Shoals rhythm section, creating a laid-back, groove-heavy atmosphere that feels both intimate and effortlessly cool.

Talk Talk • The Colour Of Spring
Released 24 January 1986 · 41st anniversary
Mark Hollis and his bandmates famously pivoted away from their synth-pop roots to create this organic, atmospheric masterpiece. They traded programmed beats for layered textures and silence, effectively inventing the blueprint for post-rock in the process.
Recorded during the mid-eighties, the production favors a spacious, natural sound that feels remarkably timeless compared to the era's typical heavy processing. It captures a band finding their true voice by stripping back the excess and focusing on raw, emotive instrumentation.
How to track album anniversaries in your collection
Give the records on your shelf another spin. Plastic helps you organize your vinyl and CDs, sync your collection with Discogs, and discover album anniversaries and the stories behind them. Explore new releases and rediscover something you already own.
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