Whitesnake's first "real" album (released earlier that year, Snakebite was split between David Coverdale solo sessions and actual group recordings), 1978's Trouble set the template for virtually all of the band's ensuing career, pre-1987 American sellout. This was a group made up of seasoned veterans after all, and they knew exactly what it was they wanted: edgy hard rock based on R&B. They also knew who was boss: Coverdale, who after enduring a minority stake in the mighty Deep Purple, was now clearly established as top dog (when he relinquishes lead vocal duties to guitarist Bernie Marsden on "Free Flight," it's because he wants to) and de facto leader of the new outfit. And what a slick, powerful outfit it was, too, with guitarists Marsden and Micky Moody compensating whatever visual shortcomings they may have had with their rock-solid six-string partnership, and former Purple organist Jon Lord holding it all together in the back.~ Eduardo Rivadavia