The Plastic blog
November 12th
album anniversaries
By Plastic · Published


Pearl Jam • Riot Act
Released 12 November 2002 · 24th anniversary
Deeply personal and politically charged, this record finds the band grappling with the aftermath of the Roskilde tragedy and the shifting landscape of post-9/11 America. It stands as one of their most experimental efforts, leaning into raw, unpolished arrangements that feel like a direct response to the weight of the world at the time.
Recorded during a period of intense creative transition, the production favors a dry, live-in-the-room aesthetic that highlights the band's evolving musicianship. You can hear the influence of art-rock and folk textures blending with their signature grunge roots, creating a moody, introspective atmosphere that rewards repeated listens.

Silk Sonic • An Evening With Silk Sonic
Released 12 November 2021 · 5th anniversary
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak joined forces during the pandemic to create this polished, retro-inspired project. Their collaboration feels like a genuine homage to the smooth vocal groups and tight arrangements of the 1970s.
The production leans heavily into lush orchestration, crisp percussion, and soulful harmonies that define the classic funk and R&B sound. Every track carries a nostalgic warmth, meticulously crafted to evoke the golden era of soul music.

Cocteau Twins • Treasure
Released 12 November 1984 · 42nd anniversary
Elizabeth Fraser’s vocals on this record operate less like lyrics and more like a celestial instrument, weaving glossolalia into the melodies. It marks the moment the band truly found their signature sound, moving away from the post-punk grit of their debut toward something far more ethereal and otherworldly.
Released on the legendary 4AD label, the production is drenched in Robin Guthrie’s signature shimmering reverb and layered guitars. The result is a lush, dreamlike atmosphere that defined the mid-eighties alternative scene and laid the groundwork for the entire dream pop genre.

Deftones • Koi No Yokan
Released 12 November 2012 · 14th anniversary
Heavy riffs collide with ethereal, dreamlike soundscapes to create a record that feels both crushing and incredibly intimate. It captures a band at the absolute peak of their creative chemistry, balancing raw aggression with some of the most beautiful melodies they have ever committed to tape.
Produced by Nick Raskulinecz, the album leans into the lush, expansive production style that defined the band's later era. It manages to feel massive and cinematic while maintaining the dark, moody atmosphere that fans of alternative metal have come to expect.

Neil Young • Neil Young
Released 12 November 1968 · 58th anniversary
Neil Young stepped away from the Buffalo Springfield sound to craft this debut, which serves as a raw blueprint for his future experiments. The record features a haunting, sparse production style that highlights his early songwriting prowess and penchant for melancholic storytelling.
Recorded during the tail end of the sixties, the album captures a transitional moment where folk-rock began to lean into darker, more personal territory. Jack Nitzsche’s intricate string arrangements provide a stark contrast to the gritty, unpolished guitar work that would eventually define the artist's legendary career.

Jay-Z • The Blueprint² The Gift & The Curse
Released 12 November 2002 · 24th anniversary
Ambition runs wild on this massive double-disc project, which finds the rapper attempting to cement his status as a global icon. It serves as a sprawling victory lap that balances gritty street anthems with polished, radio-ready collaborations.
The production reflects the high-budget excess of the early 2000s, featuring heavy hitters like Kanye West and Just Blaze behind the boards. You can feel the shift toward a more cinematic, pop-adjacent sound that defined the Roc-A-Fella era at the turn of the millennium.
Also on this day

Johann Sebastian Bach, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy • Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 2 And 3
Released 12 November 1938 · 88th anniversary

Maurice Ravel, Camille Saint-Saëns, Paul Dukas, Claude Debussy, Constantin Silvestri, Orchestre De La Société Des Concerts Du Conservatoire • Boléro - Danse Macabre - L'Apprenti Sorcier - Prélude A L'Après-Midi D'Un Faune
Released 12 November 1958 · 68th anniversary

Marvin Gaye • Hello Broadway
Released 12 November 1964 · 62nd anniversary

Larry Young • Into Somethin'
Released 12 November 1964 · 62nd anniversary

Richard Strauss, Igor Stravinsky, Josef Krips, Philharmonia Orchestra • Der Rosenkavalier - Suite / The Firebird - Suite
Released 12 November 1965 · 61st anniversary

Johann Strauss Jr. • Sadler's Wells Opera Present Highlights from 'The Gipsy Baron' (In English)
Released 12 November 1965 · 61st anniversary

Frank Sinatra • Cycles
Released 12 November 1968 · 58th anniversary

Yes • Fragile Outtakes
Released 12 November 1971 · 55th anniversary

Genesis • Nursery Cryme
Released 12 November 1971 · 55th anniversary
Daryl Hall & John Oates • Whole Oats
Released 12 November 1972 · 54th anniversary

Buffalo Springfield • Buffalo Springfield
Released 12 November 1973 · 53rd anniversary

The Cosmic Jokers • The Cosmic Jokers
Released 12 November 1974 · 52nd anniversary

Sidney Bechet • Volume II
Released 12 November 1976 · 50th anniversary

Charles Mingus • Lionel Hampton Presents: The Music Of Charles Mingus
Released 12 November 1977 · 49th anniversary

Pointer Sisters • Having A Party
Released 12 November 1977 · 49th anniversary

Amii Stewart • Paradise Bird
Released 12 November 1979 · 47th anniversary

Anita Ward • Sweet Surrender
Released 12 November 1979 · 47th anniversary

Johnny Hallyday • Pavillon De Paris
Released 12 November 1979 · 47th anniversary

Gwen McCrae • Melody Of Life
Released 12 November 1979 · 47th anniversary

Lounge Lizards • The Lounge Lizards
Released 12 November 1981 · 45th 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.