The Rolling Stones/Sticky Fingers (1971)

Noted as one of the Stones' greatest albums, along with "Beggars Banquet", "Let It Bleed" and "Exile on Main Street". #1 on the US and UK album charts. The sound is heavily influenced by American southern roots music such as blues and country. "Brown Sugar" (#1 on the US/UK charts) is a loose rock'n'roll number. "Wild Horses" is a ballad in the country style. "You Gotta Move" is a cover of Fred McDowell, a blues singer from Tennessee. "I Got the Blues" is an original song in the Memphis soul style. The stone's typical dirty rock'n'roll number "Bitch" is cool too.

Redd Kross/Third Eye (1990)

The American rock band led by the McDonald brothers, Jeffrey (vocals, guitar) and Steven (bass, vocals). Formed in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne, California. A 1990 album released on the major label Atlantic. Melodic guitar pop in bubblegum/power-pop style. The fourth track "Shonen Knife" is a punkish song inspired by Japanese punk-pop band Shonen Knife.

Rainbow/Rising (1976)

The hard rock/heavy metal band featuring former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and American vocalist Ronnie James Dio (ex-Elf). The second album released after ex-Jeff Beck Group drummer Cozy Powell joined. Acclaimed among the fans as a great album full of formal beauty of hard rock/heavy metal, and voted the greatest heavy metal album of all time in the UK's rock magazine "Kerrang!" readers' poll in 1981.

Otis Redding/The Very Best of Otis Redding (1962-1968)

The soul singer who was one of the central figures of Southern (Memphis) soul in the 1960s. The single-disc collection that includes "(Sitting' On) The Dock of the Bay" (#1 on the US charts) and other R&B hits. Emotion-charged vocals.

Linda Ronstadt/Heart Like a Wheel (1974)

A female singer from the country and folk-rock scenes in Los Angeles, California, Linda Ronstadt's blockbuster album (#1 on the US album charts). Features "You're No Good" (#1 on the US charts), "Heart Like a Wheel" and "When Will I Be Loved?". Glenn Frey (guitar), Don Henley (drums) and many other great musicians in L.A. guested. Produced by Peter Asher.

Radiohead/OK Computer (1997)

A five-piece band from Oxford, England. Prog-rock/electro-oriented alternative guitar pop. Extremely melodic and melancholic sound. The third album that won the Grammy Award for Alternative Music in 1997. One of the masterpieces of gutar rock in the 1990s.

Rage Against the Machine/Rage Against the Machine (1992)

A masterpiece of 'rap-metal' mixing of punk, hip-hop and heavy metal. Rap and metallic guitar riffs with hip-hop grooves. The lyrics with political messages based on leftist ideology and antiestablishment attitude. This debut album is cool.

Ramones/Ramones (1976)

One of the New York punks. Simple and brief rock'n'roll.

Red Hot Chili Peppers/Mother's Milk (1989)

Hard rock-based hip-hop/rap.

R.E.M./Murmur (1983)

1st album. Rolling Stone Magazine selected this as Album of the Year in 1983.

R.E.M./Fables of the Reconstruction (1985) *

3rd album. Gloomy and psychedelic sounds. The tunes in a folk-rock style.

Renegade Soundwave/Soundclash (1990)

An example of response of British techno to American hip-hop.

The Residents/The Commercial Album (1980)

Strange and avant-garde techno-pop (?) band from the US. Contains 40 one-minute tracks.

Ride/Nowhere (1990)

A guitar pop band from Oxford. 1st album. Melodic sounds featuring noisy feed-backing guitars.

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles/Ooo Baby Baby: The Anthology (1958-1975)

One of the leading groups of early Motown Records. Catchy melodies and sweet falsetto.

The Rolling Stones/Through the Past, Darkly (Big Hits Vol.2) (1964-1969)

Their 2nd greatest hits album. Includes "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and "She's a Rainbow".

The Rolling Stones/Aftermath (1966) **

I'm fond of this album, for it includes several melodic and delicate tunes. Includes "Out of Time".

The Rolling Stones/Beggars Banquet (1968) *

On this album, they established their own style under the influence of blues and R&B.

The Rolling Stones/Let It Bleed (1969)

Released when Mick Taylor (guitar) joined. One of their masterpieces in the 1960s, taking rank with "Beggars Banquet".

The Rolling Stones/Exile on Main Street (1972)

Such a rough and rude sound as to return to their roots, like blues and rock'n'roll.

Roxy Music/Roxy Music (1972) *

1st album. Bryan Ferry's vocals are cool. Featuring Brian Eno (synths).

Roxy Music/Avalon (1982) **

Their greatest work in the late years. A masterpiece in 'Adult-Contemporary' style, taking rank with Donald Fagen's "The Nightfly".

Todd Rundgren/Runt (1970) *

1st solo album released after the Nazz disbanded. Includes a hit "We Got To Get You A Woman".

Todd Rundgren/Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren (1971)

The sound is simple, and like Carole King's works, for example. Includes a masterpiece "Wailing Wall".

Todd Rundgren/Something/Anything? (1972) **

His greatest work. The essence of his pop music in the direct line of the Beatles and Philadelphia soul.

Todd Rundgren/A Wizard, a True Star (1973)

Druggy sounds, like "stream-of-consciousness". Includes "Just One Victory".

Todd Rundgren/A Cappella (1985) **

Programmed percussion and over-dub vocals. Excellent!

Run D.M.C./Raising Hell (1986)

Hip-hop/rap in hard-rock style. 3rd album. Includes a cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way".

The Rutles/The Rutles (1978)

Well-crafted parodies of the Beatles. The tunes are well written.