Laibach/Opus Dei (1987)

An avant-garde music group formed in 1980 in Trbovlje, Slovenia (then Yugoslavia), Laibach's fourth album. Released on Mute Records (U.K.) and Wax Trax! Records (U.S.). "Laibach" is the German name for Slovenia's capital city, Ljubljana. The sound is a combination of industrial techno with heavy hammer beats and classical elements, such as Wagnerian orchestra and military marches. Low, deep and gravelly vocals. "Geburt Einer Nation" is a German-language cover of Queen's hit single "One Vision". "Leben heißt Leben" is a German-language cover of Austrian rock band Opus' hit single "Live is Life", and ""Opus Dei" is an English cover of the same song. Produced by Rico Conning, who had produced or mixed Depeche Mode, Wire, Swans and others. The CD includes the original eight tracks and four tracks from the soundtrack for the stage production "Krst Pod Triglavom: Baptism".

Linkin Park/Hybrid Theory (2000)

An American rock band formed in 1996, Linkin Park's debut album (#2 on the US album charts). The best selling album in the US in 2001. Post-grunge heavy rock based on alternative metal with the elements of hip-hop, rap and electronica. Catchy sound featuring Mike Shinoda's rap, Chester Bennington's melancholy, melodic vocals and shouts. Includes singles, "One Step Closer", "Crawling", "Papercut" and "In the End" (#2 on the US, #8 on the UK).

The Lotus Eaters/No Sense of Sin (1984)

A new wave band from Liverpool, the Lotus Eaters' debut album. The members are Peter Coyle (vocals), Jeremy Kelly (guitar. Ex-the Wild Swans member) and others. Elegant and delicate acoustic guitar pop in the baroque pop style, with strings and synths. Smoke-like sound with lots of reverb. Music filled with transient beauty of youth. Includes the debut single "The First Picture of You" (#15 on the UK charts). The CDs (reissued by BMG/Bridge Japan in 1998, by Vinyl Japan in 2001) has nine tracks from the original 1984 LP ("Too Young", "When You Look at Boys" and "Start of the Search" weren't included because of relation of rights) and ten bonus tracks.

Lil' Louis & the World/Journey with the Lonely (1992)

Chicago-born house music producer and DJ, Lil' Louis' second album. R&B/jazz-oriented stylish and soulful Chicago house with introspective and sophisticated sound. Can be listened calmly. Features "Club Lonely" and "Dancing in My Sleep".

Leftfield/Leftism (1995)

The UK techno duo of ex-A Man Called Adam/the Brand New Heavies member Paul Daley and Neil Barnes, Leftfield's debut album. Tribal/dub/trance-oriented techno/house sound. Features 'Release the Pressure' with reggae vocalist Earl Sixteen, 'Open Up' with ex-Sex Pistol/PIL vocalist John Lydon, 'Original' with Toni Halliday from Curve, a 1992 progressive house classic 'Song of Life'. 'Storm 3000' is a track in the Jungle/Drum & Bass style.

The Lemonheads/It's a Shame About Ray (1992)

The alternative rock band formed in Boston in 1984 and led by Evan Dando (guitar, vocals). Simple, melodic and catchy guitar pop in a post-Hüsker Dü style. "Mrs. Robinson" is a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's song.

LFO/Frequencies (1991) *

The techno duo of Mark Bell and Gez Varley from Sheffield, England, LFO's debut album. The name LFO comes from low-frequency oscillator of synthesizers. Experimental electro-techno/bleep house, based on hip-hop, electro-funk and acid house, featuring the oscillation sounds of analog synths such as Roland MC-202 SH-101. Includes "LFO", "Intro" (also known as "What is House?") and "We are Back".

The Lovin' Spoonful/Do You Believe in Magic (1965)

The debut album of the Lovin' Spoonful, the folk-rock group led by John Sebastian (guitar, vocals, songwriting). From the folk scene of Greenwich Village, New York. One of the American bands against the so-called "British Invasion" in the mid 1960s, but they gained popularity in England too. Pop-oriented sound based on the American roots music such as country and western, blues and jug band. The title track "Do You Believe in Magic" is a smash hit.

The La's/The La's (1990)

The sound is like Merseybeat in the 1960s. Melodic. Includes "There She Goes".

Latin Playboys/Latin Playboys (1994)

The project by the two central figures of rock band Los Lobos, David Hidalgo and Louie Perez, and the producer-engineer team of Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake. The debut album. Experimental and borderless sound based on blues and Latin roots music. A sound collage by using drum machine and the tapes recorded around the world, like Brian Eno-David Byrne's "My Life in the Bush of Ghosts".

Cyndi Lauper/She's So Unusual (1983)

Includes No. 1 hit on the US and UK charts "Girls Just Want To Have Fun".

Led Zeppelin/Led Zeppelin (1968)

The forerunners of UK hard rock. Featuring Jimmy Page (guitar).

Led Zeppelin/Led Zeppelin II (1969)

They established their own style in this 2nd album. One of the roots of heavy metal.

John Lennon/John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)

John Lennon's first solo album released after the Beatles disbanded. Extremely introspective and confessional work inspired by American psychologist Arthur Janov's 'Primal Scream' therapy. Simple sounds with only minimal instruments: drums, bass, piano, guitar and vocals. The musical styles are Rock & roll, folk song and piano ballad. Ringo Starr (drums) and Klaus Voormann (bass) guest. Co-produced by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Phil Spector. Features 'Mother', 'Working Class Hero', 'Love' and 'God'.

Huey Lewis and the News/Sports (1983)

Simple and straightforward rock & roll influenced by UK pub-rock. The 3rd album that includes 5 US top 20 hits: 'The Heart of Rock & Roll', 'If This Is It' and so on.

Liaisons Dangereuses/Liaisons Dangereuses (1981)

The lone album by the group of Chris Haas (ex-D.A.F.), Beate Bartel (ex-Einstürzende Neubauten) and vocalist Kristine Goineau. Machinelike, minimalist beats with programmed rhythms and weird vocals. Experimental sounds just like D.A.F., but more danceable and techno-oriented. Very influential in later Detroit Techno. Pretty cutting-edge sounds in those days of the early 1980s. Includes the techno/industrial dance classic 'Los Niños del Parque'.

The Lightning Seeds/Cloudcuckooland (1989)

Ex-Big in Japan/Original Mirrors member, and the producer who produced Echo & the Bunnymen, Pale Fountains and Icicle Works, Ian Broudie's solo project. The debut album. Mild and sophisticated British pop with sweet melodies. Includes the singles "Pure" and "All I Want".

The Lilac Time/& Love for All (1990)

Featuring Stephen Duffy (ex-Duran Duran member). Well-crafted British pop. Produced by Andy Partridge.

Little Feat/Dixie Chicken (1973)

The third album of the West Coast (L.A.) rock band led by songwriter/guitarist Lowell George, an ex-member of Frank Zappa's Mothers of Invention. Earthy and funky sounds influenced by New Orleans R&B, with slide guitar and swinging, syncopated rhythm.

Claudine Longet/Love is Blue (1968)

A product of A&M Records. French-pop style, covers of movie themes, bossa nova and so on.

The Lounge Lizards/The Lounge Lizards (1981)

New York-based punky jazz combo. Featuring Arto Lindsay (guitar), Anton Fier (drums) and John Lurie (sax).

Love/Forever Changes (1967) *

A psychedelic folk rock band from Los Angeles. This 3rd album is very cool.

Love and Rockets/Earth, Sun, Moon (1987)

A trio of ex-Bauhaus members, Daniel Ash (guitar and vocals), David J (bass) and Kevin Haskins (drums). 3rd album. Folk-touched psychedelic pop.

Nick Lowe/Basher: The Best of Nick Lowe (1976-1989)

Melodic songwriting and rock'n'roll in a pub-rock style. Includes a hit "Cruel to Be Kind".