The Plastic blog
March 5th
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published



Sixto Rodriguez • Cold Fact
Released 5 March 1970 · 57th anniversary
Melancholic melodies and gritty urban storytelling define this cult classic. Originally released in 1970, the record blends folk-rock sensibilities with psychedelic arrangements to capture the raw spirit of Detroit.
Social commentary drives the lyrical content, offering a poignant look at life on the margins. This 2019 reissue preserves the haunting atmosphere and soulful depth that eventually turned these tracks into an international phenomenon.

Jimi Hendrix • The Cry Of Love
Released 5 March 1971 · 56th anniversary
Posthumous releases can often feel disjointed, but this collection stands as a remarkably cohesive vision of where Jimi was heading before his passing. It captures a songwriter moving beyond pure pyrotechnics into a more soulful, melodic space, featuring some of his most personal and refined studio work.
Recorded during the final months of his life at Electric Lady Studios, the album benefits from a polished, warm production style that highlights his evolving blues-rock sensibilities. The tracks feel intimate and focused, reflecting a mature artist who was finally finding total creative control in his own custom-built sanctuary.

Grinderman • Grinderman
Released 5 March 2007 · 20th anniversary
Nick Cave stepped away from the polished elegance of the Bad Seeds to embrace something far more primal and unhinged. These songs feel like a garage-rock fever dream, trading gothic storytelling for raw, distorted blues that sound like they were recorded in the middle of a bar fight.
Everything about this record leans into a gritty, lo-fi aesthetic that highlights the band's spontaneous energy. It captures a group of seasoned musicians stripping away their usual sophistication to rediscover the sheer, messy joy of making noise together.

The Men • Open Your Heart
Released 5 March 2012 · 15th anniversary
Raw energy defines this record, shifting effortlessly from blistering punk anthems to sun-drenched, melodic indie rock. It feels like a band throwing everything they love into a blender and somehow coming out with a cohesive, high-octane masterpiece.
Released during the peak of the Brooklyn DIY scene, the production captures a gritty, live-in-the-room intensity that feels both nostalgic and urgent. The label, Sacred Bones, perfectly curated this aesthetic, helping define the sound of early 2010s underground guitar music.

The Creeps • Blue Tomato
Released 5 March 1990 · 37th anniversary
Swedish power pop legends The Creeps hit their stride with this record, blending infectious melodies with a raw, garage-rock edge. It remains a cult favorite for anyone who loves high-energy hooks that feel both timeless and unmistakably sharp.
Recorded at the turn of the nineties, the album captures the band's transition from their earlier punk roots toward a more polished, soulful pop sensibility. You can hear the influence of classic sixties songcraft filtered through the gritty, lo-fi production aesthetics typical of the era's independent scene.

Arab Strap • As Days Get Dark
Released 5 March 2021 · 6th anniversary
Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton returned from a long hiatus with a record that feels like a dark, cynical look at modern relationships. The lyrics are brutally honest, often blurring the line between spoken word and song.
Synthesizers and moody guitar lines create a late-night, downtempo atmosphere. The production is polished but retains the gritty, Scottish indie-rock spirit that made the band famous in the late nineties.
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.
← More from the Plastic blog