The Band “The Band” (1969)

A sepia-toned album that, above all, creates its own space-time, I wouldn't normally award points for escapism, but this one manages to bring its historical reference points into a rock 'n' roll context, which is the best trick they pull off on this tricky little gem of a record. This is funkier than their debut, and funkier than most albums that attempt to be funky. It's also a lot squarer than most albums, which is a neat trick for an album so funky. Great production, as well. And fantastic use of horns, evokes ol’ time rural America and ’60s soul in equal measures: another neat trick. Another one of those groups who manage to pull off the on-the-verge-of-falling-apart thing with aplomb. That’s enough praise for this Band. –Will