Nico
The Marble Index
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1968 gold label stereo original. "The Marble Index" is widely considered to be her most influential and groundbreaking work, with its dark and experimental sound paving the way for the post-punk movement of the late 1970s and beyond. The album features Nico's haunting vocals accompanied by sparse instrumentation, including harmonium, tamboura, and John Cale's viola.

The album's title is a reference to the ancient practice of inscribing important documents on marble, highlighting their permanence and significance. The lyrics on "The Marble Index" are similarly weighty, exploring themes of death, isolation, and transcendent spirituality. Nico's voice is often compared to that of a mournful angel, imbuing the songs with a sense of otherworldly melancholy.

"The Marble Index" was a commercial failure upon its initial release, but has since become a cult classic and a touchstone for avant-garde artists across the musical spectrum. Its influence can be heard in the work of artists as diverse as Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Björk. Nico's stark, uncompromising vision on "The Marble Index" continues to resonate with listeners today, nearly fifty years after its release.