7.6/10274 votes#1 - Def Leppard: Hysteria
Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 1/6/2003
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: N/A
7.8/10343 votes#2 - The Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks
Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 1/13/2003
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: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.6/10253 votes#3 - Deep Purple: Machine Head
Season 4 Episode 3 - Aired 2/1/2003
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: N/A
7.8/106 votes#4 - Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon
Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 5/4/2003
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: N/A
The Best Episodes of Classic Albums Season 4
Every episode of Classic Albums Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Classic Albums Season 4!
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify...
Genre:Documentary
Season 4 Ratings Summary
"Def Leppard: Hysteria" is the best rated episode of "Classic Albums" season 4. It scored 7.6/10 based on 274 votes. Directed by Matthew Longfellow and written by N/A, it aired on 1/6/2003. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Sex Pistols: Never Mind The Bollocks".