September 22, 1992
Short, savage, and pummeling, Broken was the turning point where Trent Reznor set aside his dark synth-pop ambitions and went for a more visceral, metallic sound. Guitars play a much more prominent role than on Pretty Hate Machine, while the electronics are more jagged and caustic, which set the table for the career-defining The Downward Spiral two years later.
April 22, 1997
The Jayhawks drifted from their roots-oriented alt-country sound once Gary Louris became the primary frontman, moving toward a larger power pop sound, filled with rich harmonies and swelling keyboard and organ movements. Electric guitars replace acoustics for the most part, and the structure of the songs evolved into long bridges and anthemic sing-along choruses. Akin to Wilco's Summerteeth, Sound of Lies bursts from the speakers like a super-pop phoenix.