The Time Machine heads to 1990 this time. Public Enemy released probably the most important album of the year. The most famous person in America was probably Madonna; she struck the voguing pose in 1990. Jane's Addiction were becoming the icons of the alternative nation. Sinead O'Connor covered a Prince song to huge success. Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa after 27 years.

The Time Machine pays a visit to 1974 this time. Dolly Parton made perhaps her best album. Stevie Wonder wrote probably his most political song yet, and he wrote a song for the band Rufus. Barry White pulled double duty with his Love Unlimited Orchestra and his own music. Richard Nixon became the first president to resign from office, and "Happy Days" began its 11-year run.

The Time Machine takes a short trip to 2008 this time. MySpace was still a force, accelerating the careers of Adele and Fleet Foxes. Coldplay hit No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic, Kings of Leon's album hit No. 1 in 10 countries, and TV on the Radio's "Dear Science" was a critic's favorite.

The Time Machine parks in 1982 this time, the year Bruce Springsteen went back to basics with his Nebraska album. Prince dropped this biggest album yet, and Grandmaster Flash brought hip hop to a new audience. Final albums came from Roxy Music and the original English Beat, and the Clash had a hit in the States.

The Time Machine makes a stop in 1962 this time, the year Ray Charles bridged the gap with his Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music album. Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys released their first albums. Booker T. and the MGs recorded one of the most popular instrumentals in recorded music history. Jackie Robinson became the first Black American elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. It's all 1962, our year on this episode of Time Machine.

2002 was a big year for Norah Jones, whose "Come Away With Me" cleaned up by winning five Grammys. Wilco delivered the most critically acclaimed album of their career. Missy Elliott worked it. Justin Timberlake went solo, and "The Eminem Show" was the biggest-selling album of the year. File sharing and Napster were changing music consumption. It was the Bush Presidency and the windup to the Gulf War.

The Time Machine goes way back to 1959 this time. Two of the best jazz albums ever were released: it was Dave Brubeck Quartet, Take Five, and Miles Davis's album Kind of Blue. It was the year 'the Day the Music Died' occurred, when the world lost Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Richie Valens. Ben Hur was the biggest film of the year, and Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone appeared on the small screen.

The Time Machine treks back to 1988 this time, a year of excellent debuts from Tracy Chapman, Pixies and the band Living Colour. The Traveling Wilburys were launched. Public Enemy released one of the most important albums of the year. Cowboy Junkies recorded an album in a church with only one microphone. CDs outsold vinyl for the first time. It's 1988, our year on Time Machine.

The Time Machine makes a quick trip to 2007 this time. Both M.I.A. and Kanye West had tunes featuring prominent samples. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss collaborated on the Raising Sand album. Radiohead used a pay-what-you-want business model on their In Rainbows effort. The White Stripes made their final studio album, and Arcade Fire released their highly anticipated second album.

The time machine makes a stop in 1965. It was a huge year for Bob Dylan, who made two classic albums the same year. Motown was selling records like hotcakes, with releases from the Supremes, the Miracles and others. There were debuts from Sonny and Cher, and the Byrds. Sax man John Coltrane released what many call one of the greatest album of all time. The Beatles released the excellent Rubber Soul album. It's all 1965, our year on this episode of Time Machine Tuesday.