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The genre dominated the 1970s with bands like Aerosmith, Queen, AC/DC, and Van Halen, and reached commercial heights in the 1980s, particularly with glam metal acts like Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, and Def Leppard, alongside the rawer edge of Guns N’ Roses. Hard rock’s popularity declined in the 1990s with the rise of grunge, hip-hop, and Britpop, though elements of the genre persisted in post-grunge bands and occasional revivals in the 2000s, where only a few classic acts maintained widespread success.
Dream Police spins obsession into arena-sized pop-rock chaos, with paranoia wrapped in riffs and drama dripping from every hook. Cheap Trick turns glossy melodies and razor-edged guitars into a neon fever dream that refuses to settle down or play nice.
In Through the Out Door is Zeppelin’s strange, aching swan song—part hangover, part experiment, part goodbye note. It sidesteps their usual bombast for atmosphere and emotion, and that quiet shift says more than another war cry ever could.
Highway to Hell didn’t just set AC/DC up for superstardom—it cemented their myth. It’s the record that proved they weren’t just loud kids from Australia, but rock’s loudest true believers. And for Bon Scott, it was the perfect send-off: feral, funny, and unforgettable.
Who Are You finds The Who older, worn, and still swinging. It’s frayed at the edges, full of regret and defiance. Not their cleanest shot, but one of their most revealing—a messy portrait of a band refusing to go quietly.
Some Girls is a record about survival, lust, boredom, and bravado. It spits and struts through genres like a band that knows the only way to stay young is to stay reckless. Mick Jagger is practically unhinged here—in the best way.
Van Halen’s self-titled debut album is a seismic moment in rock history, heralding the arrival of a band that would redefine the genre. Released in 1978, the record is a masterclass in electrifying energy, innovative technique, and unapologetic swagger.
Every song feels like a late-night drive through empty streets, headlights cutting through the quiet ache of missed chances and stubborn hope. It’s desperate, sure, but it’s also defiant—Springsteen refuses to let the fight go out of him, even when the weight of real life tries to crush it.
Cheap Trick’s self-titled debut album is a raw and electrifying introduction to a band poised to bridge the gap between hard rock and power pop. Released in 1977, this record captures the band’s unfiltered energy and razor-sharp songwriting, blending edgy guitar riffs with melodic hooks in a way that feels both rebellious and accessible.
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap is AC/DC at their most feral: riffs sharp as broken glass, Bon Scott smirking through the smoke, and songs that treat trouble like a sport. It’s not polished, it’s primal—and that’s exactly why it hits like a punch you asked for.
Boston’s debut is arena rock with a brain and a heart. Shiny on the surface, grounded underneath. Packed with riffs and choruses built for eternity. It’s the sound of rock becoming superhuman—but still keeping its calloused hands.