The Best Episodes of Classic Albums Season 4

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.6/10(282 votes)

   #1 - Def Leppard: Hysteria

   S4:E11/6/2003

   Def Leppard labored for more than a year to record this, their follow-up to 'Pyromania'. Producer Mutt Lange and the group describe track by track what went into the writing, rehearsing, and recording. Layers are peeled away at the mixing board as we see and hear how their vocal sound, guitar effects, and drums are engineered. Also, they play acoustic versions of two of their biggest hits from the record. As a bonus, an early rendition of 'Love Bites', which thankfully was given a complete overhaul, is presented.

   Director:Matthew Longfellow

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Matthew Longfellow

   Writer:Unknown
2. 

   7.8/10(351 votes)

   #2 - The Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks

   S4:E21/13/2003

   The Sex Pistols only released one album before breaking up, but it set off the punk movement, and turned the British music industry on its head. Featuring interviews with John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), Steve Jones and Paul Cook, plus original bassist Glen Matlock, along with producer Chris Thomas, Classic Albums looks at the way it was written and recorded. Also shown is some rare television footage from that time, and some concert performances by the groundbreaking band.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Unknown
3. 

   7.5/10(260 votes)

   #3 - Deep Purple: Machine Head

   S4:E32/1/2003

   The 1972 early metal classic is examined here. After a brief recount of Deep Purple's history prior, all five members of the group from that time recount the making of the album, and Jon Lord, Richie Blackmore, and Roger Glover isolate some of their parts, and play along live. Engineer Martin Birch also lends a hand, describing how the instrumental sounds were produced.

   Director:Matthew Longfellow

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Matthew Longfellow

   Writer:Unknown
4. 

   7.8/10(6 votes)

   #4 - Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

   S4:E45/4/2003

   Engineers Chris Thomas and Alan Parsons peel layers off the master tapes from this 1973 masterpiece. The songs are dissected methodically, and Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Rick Wright are on hand, (though separately), to demonstrate how simplistic some of the writing was.

   Director:Matthew Longfellow

   Writer:Unknown

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   Director:Matthew Longfellow

   Writer:Unknown