The Plastic blog
January 26th
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published


Simon & Garfunkel • Bridge Over Troubled Water
Released 26 January 1970 · 57th anniversary
Tension between the duo reached a breaking point during these sessions, yet they managed to craft some of their most intricate arrangements. The title track remains a masterclass in gospel-infused production, featuring Art Garfunkel’s soaring vocals layered over a lush, piano-driven soundscape.
Released at the dawn of the 1970s, the record captures a shift toward a more sophisticated, studio-polished folk-rock sound. It blends global influences like Andean folk with the classic pop sensibilities that defined the era, marking a bittersweet final chapter for the pair.

Khruangbin • Con Todo El Mundo
Released 26 January 2018 · 9th anniversary
Global influences collide here, blending Thai funk, Middle Eastern melodies, and classic psychedelic rock. The trio creates a sound that feels like a dusty, sun-drenched road trip through a place you cannot quite place on a map.
Bass-heavy grooves anchor the tracks, allowing the guitar to weave intricate, melodic patterns. It is a masterclass in understated cool, perfect for a slow Sunday morning.

The Smile • Wall Of Eyes
Released 26 January 2024 · 3rd anniversary
Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood lean into a sprawling, cinematic atmosphere that feels like a fever dream unfolding in real time. The centerpiece, "Bending Hectic," showcases a dramatic, orchestral swell that proves this trio is operating at a level of creative freedom rarely seen in modern rock.
Sam Petts-Davies takes over production duties here, favoring a lush, organic warmth that gives the complex arrangements plenty of room to breathe. Recorded between Oxford and Abbey Road, the record captures a sophisticated blend of jazz-inflected rhythms and intricate guitar work that feels both intimate and grand.

Rick James • Bustin' Out Of L Seven
Released 26 January 1979 · 48th anniversary
Rick James solidified his reputation as the king of punk-funk with this record, blending aggressive basslines with polished disco production. The title track became an anthem for the era, showcasing his ability to command a dance floor while maintaining a gritty, street-level edge.
Motown Records provided the perfect backdrop for this high-energy release, allowing James to push the boundaries of what a funk artist could sound like. It remains a definitive document of the late 1970s transition from disco into harder, synth-driven grooves.

Nils Frahm • All Melody
Released 26 January 2018 · 9th anniversary
Recording this project required the construction of a custom-built studio space, Saal 3, inside Berlin’s historic Funkhaus complex. The result is a deeply tactile experience where the creaks of piano pedals and the hum of analog synthesizers feel like living, breathing entities in the room with you.
These tracks blur the lines between intimate neoclassical piano compositions and expansive, experimental electronic soundscapes. It captures a rare sense of scale, moving seamlessly from the quiet solitude of a single instrument to the overwhelming, layered textures that define the modern Berlin electronic scene.

Franz Ferdinand • Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
Released 26 January 2009 · 18th anniversary
Late nights in Glasgow fueled the creation of this record, shifting the band's focus toward a darker, more atmospheric sound. It trades the jagged, nervous energy of their debut for a polished, synth-heavy approach that feels like a hazy walk home after the clubs have closed.
Recorded in an abandoned town hall, the production leans into a moody, nocturnal aesthetic that defines the late 2000s indie scene. You can hear the band experimenting with dance-floor textures while maintaining the sharp, rhythmic precision that made them famous.
Also on this day

Dizzy Gillespie And His Orchestra • Afro
Released 26 January 1954 · 73rd anniversary
Antonín Dvořák, George Szell, The Cleveland Orchestra • Symphony No. 4 In G Major, Op.88
Released 26 January 1959 · 68th anniversary

Roger Sessions • The Black Maskers / Tabuh-Tabuhan
Released 26 January 1960 · 67th anniversary

Gene Ammons • Nice An' Cool
Released 26 January 1961 · 66th anniversary

Frank Sinatra • Sings The Select Cole Porter
Released 26 January 1965 · 62nd anniversary
Chicago (2) • Chicago
Released 26 January 1970 · 57th anniversary

Elton John • Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player
Released 26 January 1973 · 54th anniversary

Deep Purple • Who Do We Think We Are
Released 26 January 1973 · 54th anniversary

Strawbs • Bursting At The Seams
Released 26 January 1973 · 54th anniversary

Elvio Monti • A Luci Spente... ...Brividi
Released 26 January 1973 · 54th anniversary

D. J. Rogers • D. J. Rogers
Released 26 January 1973 · 54th anniversary
Johnny Mathis • Me And Mrs. Jones
Released 26 January 1973 · 54th anniversary
City Boy • City Boy
Released 26 January 1976 · 51st anniversary

Steve Hillage • Live Herald
Released 26 January 1979 · 48th anniversary

Instant Funk • Instant Funk V
Released 26 January 1983 · 44th anniversary

Soft Cell • The Art Of Falling Apart
Released 26 January 1983 · 44th anniversary

Aurra • Live And Let Live
Released 26 January 1983 · 44th anniversary

Andrew Lloyd Webber • Cats - Complete Original Broadway Cast Recording
Released 26 January 1983 · 44th anniversary

David Lee Roth • Skyscraper
Released 26 January 1988 · 39th anniversary

Bim Sherman • Ghetto Dub
Released 26 January 1988 · 39th anniversary
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.