Blackout

Scorpions circa 1982 were literally a different band than the one that recorded their earlier, bluesier records — the Rudolf Schenker/Matthias Jabs guitar duo steered their sound in a more commercial hard rock direction. 1979’s Lovedrive gave them their breakthrough but with Blackout it was truly lights out. The opening power chord hat trick of “Blackout,” “Can’t Live Without You,” and number one single “No One Like You” make this legendary on their own. Don’t forget to flip over the record, though — “Dynamite” is one of their most explosive deep cuts and “China White” summons a slow blizzard for an answering whiteout.