Whether on vinyl or in digital form, the album has become an integral, important, and fascinating part of our cultural history. 101 Albums That Changed Popular Music tells the stories behind the most groundbreaking, influential, and often controversial albums ever recorded. Chosen for their popular appeal, historical significance, and influence on later genres, the albums included here represent a wide variety of genres, such as blues, jazz, rock, reggae, rockabilly, folk, soul, hip-hop, and country. Veteran music journalist Chris Smith describes how albums reflected the political, social, and economic culture of the era, with entries that discuss the albums' histories, the inspiration behind their creation, and why they continue to stand the test of time.