Album of the Day

Television helped turn CBGB into a punk mecca, but when it came time to cut their debut album, the quartet were anything but fast and furious. Frontman Tom Verlaine (born on this day in 1949) meticulously mapped out the record, and when the band entered the studio, they were so well-rehearsed that most songs were recorded in one or two takes. Which isn't to say that MARQUEE MOON is sterile; guitarists Verlaine and Richard Lloyd bring a spirit of exploration that’s akin to the best jazz improvisation, even if the songs themselves - from opener “See No Evil” to “Prove It,” “Friction” and the near 10-minute title track - aren't far from garage rock. In the years since its 1977 release, outlets like Rolling Stone and NME have championed MARQUEE MOON as one of the greatest albums of all time.