Group/artists' album that told us this was a groundbreaking stylistic leap

Many artists had that album that told us this was going to be something really different and quite groundbreaking...a new direction and stylistic leap that would forever change how we thought of them.


What single album, by any band or artist, that you feel (no hard fast rules here, just your thoughts and opinion). Just an album that screamed or whispered, this is gong to be a very different and cool new ride to look forward to!




My first one would have to be SF SORROW by The Pretty Things. Totally unexpected for this hard rocking R&B unit, and pretty damn groundbreaking.



Share yours...so many fun choices and ideas to discuss and share!
Nothing is wrong, there are no correct answers here. Just what for you was a musical life changing album in a band's/artist's catalog.

 

This one said to my teenaged mind in 1965, that we we all in for something pretty special in this band's growth and musical direction:

HELP!


Ticket to Ride sealed it! This was NOT another She Loves You...

 

The Further Adventures of Charles Westover 1968...yeah this was not your father's old timey rock. Psychedelic move for De Shannon, though it didn't go anywhere.

More of a side-"trip".






Color Flashing Hair

 

Pop-jazz is dead; long live Electronica.

 

Pet Sounds ...an amazing groundbreaking album contained within what I always thought was one of the worst album covers ever; or at least the silliest.




This would have made a much cooler cover:

 

CCR - Bayou Country (album)
Suzie Q



I mention Suzie Q because I don't the full 'swamp' sound was really fully realized until Bayou Country was released when John Fogerty officially became Writer, Producer, and Arranger. The OP specifies "album" but the S/T still had some Tom influence on the overall sound. IMO, of course. Suzie Q, however, DID capture the swampy sound, Upon further thought, the S/T album could be argued as well.

 

Chad & Jeremy's, "Of Cabbages and Kings"

 

Green Day’s, “American Idiot”. Prior to that they were a second rate Ramones clone. This album took them into a new direction.

 

U2 - Achtung Baby

From the noisy tech intro it was clear this wasn’t Joshua Tree 2.

 

This "breakup from The Byrds" LP was more than another debut solo effort of a "former band member"...it was a groundbreaking stylistic leap, a country rock masterpiece that set the stage for Gene's brilliant career. And influenced countless others to follow.

 

Todd's a Wizard A True Star.
Totally different sound. Instrumentals, throwaway funny songs, lyrical changes away from love songs. It clearly was Todd's warning that 'if you want to follow me, the road will not be smooth and clones of Something Anything

 

Tom Waits' Swordfishtrombones.



"Never could stand that dog."

 

Love it too.

 

Thanks for that picture, but Brian really looks impaired, IMO

 

I can see what you mean, but then so does Carl; but at the time we wouldn't have known that history (and we may be reading more into it) . Maybe just a bit zoned out from an endless photo shoot or an awkward moment. Brian may have rather hoped that a more serious album cover, like his inspiration, Rubber Soul, would have been in the plan. And it shows on his face? All the other photos show Brian quite engaged and happy, feeding the animals etc.

He wasn't impaired musically as yet, that is for certain, with still great music to come

Engaed and goofing off like any young person might be doing...







And the serious genius at work bringing out the best in the Boys.

 

Love - Da Capo (until side 2 starts)

 

Far from my fav Beatles album as it marked a sharp change from my fav sound ever, but shocked this was not Example A

 

Cloud 9 by Temptations another excellent example