100 Greatest Albums of All Time

65. Back to Mono (1958-1969), Phil Spector ABKCO, 1991

When the Righteous Brothers’ Bobby Hatfield first heard their “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” with partner Bill Medley’s extended solo, he asked, “But what do I do while he’s singing the whole first verse?” Producer Phil Spector replied, “You can go directly to the bank!” Spector invented the idea of the rock producer as artist. He built his Wall of Sound out of hand claps, strings, massive overdubs and mountains of percussion, making some of the most frenzied, dramatic teenage-lust pop ever heard. This box has hits such as the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” Darlene Love’s “A Fine, Fine Boy” and the Crystals’ “Da Doo Ron Ron,” one of Spector’s “little symphonies for the kids.”