Pick a Day

Music History Events: Releases

February 3, 1997 David Bowie releases the electronica-influenced album Earthling, including the Grammy-nominated song (Best Male Rock Vocal Performance) "Dead Man Walking," and the paranoia-tinged track "I'm Afraid Of Americans," featuring Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.

January 28, 1997 A day before his 16th birthday, Jonny Lang's major-label debut album, Lie To Me, is released.

January 20, 1997 French electronic duo Daft Punk release their debut album, Homework in the UK (it is released in America on March 25). The record is a big hit in Europe but only reaches #150 in the USA. Both members, Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, are music producers who use recording technology to combine house music with synthpop.

November 5, 1996 Johnny Cash releases Unchained, his second album produced by Rick Rubin. He's backed by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and covers their song "Southern Accents."

October 1, 1996 Fountains of Wayne release their self-titled debut album, which took just five days to record.

September 24, 1996 Weezer release their second album, the self-produced Pinkerton. Named after a character in Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, it's darker than their 1994 debut and doesn't include any hits. Weezer fans remain divided over whether it's a work of genius or a creative flop.

September 17, 1996 Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise release their debut album, Blackwater Surprise, featuring the song "Once Upon a Time."

September 17, 1996 Three years after bursting into the musical consciousness with their debut Undertow, Tool release their second album, Ænima. It opens at #2 in the US and eventually sells over 3 million copies.

September 10, 1996 Neil Peart employs some jazz-influenced traditional drum grips on Rush's 16th studio album, Test for Echo. It's the last album the band releases before the death of Peart's daughter, followed ten months later by the passing of his wife, leads the band to take a six-year recording hiatus.

August 27, 1996 Pearl Jam release their fourth album, No Code, which debuts at #1 in the US.

July 23, 1996 Fiona Apple, 18, releases her debut album, Tidal, featuring "Shadowboxer" and "Criminal." It sells over 3 million copies in America.More

July 9, 1996 Thirteen-year-old LeAnn Rimes releases her debut album, Blue, and wows critics with the hits "Blue" and "One Way Ticket (Because I Can)."More

June 4, 1996 Metallica release Load, their first album in five years.More

May 21, 1996 Soundgarden's fifth album, Down On The Upside, is released. It debuts at #2 in America, behind Fugees' The Score.

May 6, 1996 Backstreet Boys release their self-titled debut album to international markets, aiming to tap into Europe's fascination with boy bands. A US release comes the following year.

April 23, 1996 Hootie & the Blowfish release their second album, Fairweather Johnson. It doesn't approach the 21 million in sales of their debut (Cracked Rear View), but still sells an impressive 3 million.

March 19, 1996 Barenaked Ladies release their third studio album, Born On A Pirate Ship.

March 8, 1996 Sting releases his fifth solo album, Mercury Falling.

February 27, 1996 Bad Religion release their ninth full-length studio album, The Gray Race. This is the first Bad Religion album to feature Brian Baker on guitar, replacing Brett Gurewitz, who left the band two years earlier.

January 30, 1996 Eazy-E's posthumous album Str8 off tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton is released. It debuts at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

January 23, 1996 In America, Tori Amos releases her third album, Boys For Pele, with 18 tracks she wrote and produced herself. Pele is the Hawaiian volcano goddess; the "boys" represent the men in Amos' life whose fire she has stolen.

November 21, 1995 DC Talk release Jesus Freak, an album that breaks new ground in contemporary Christian music by blending alternative rock and hip-hop. It sells over 2 million copies and influences artists like Lecrae who keep pushing the boundaries.

September 12, 1995 Lenny Kravitz releases his fourth studio album, Circus. The lead single, "Rock and Roll Is Dead," is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

July 3, 1995 D'Angelo, just 21, releases his debut album, Brown Sugar. With the hits "Lady" and "Brown Sugar," it brings R&B into new territory with a smooth, funky sound that influences artists like Jill Scott, John Mayer and Tyler, the Creator.

June 27, 1995 Neil Young releases Mirror Ball, an album featuring members of Pearl Jam. His 21st studio album, it features the hit single "Downtown."

June 27, 1995 Circle Jerks release their sixth and final studio album, Oddities, Abnormalities, & Curiosities. It is the band's first release on a major label, although Mercury Records will go on to drop Circle Jerks after they fail to reach mainstream success.

June 15, 1995 Five years after their successful debut After the Rain, Nelson release their second album, Because They Can, which tanks.More

March 28, 1995 Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard releases his first solo album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. His food stamp ID card is on the cover.

March 28, 1995 Wilco release their debut album, A.M. It is the first and last album to feature Brian Henneman on lead guitar.

March 27, 1995 The British boy band Take That release their most successful single, "Back For Good," which lands at #1 on several charts around the world and secures the #7 spot in America.