Recordings

Best Classic Bands offers smart, informed and unbiased assessments of the latest rock album releases and reissues to offer readers guidance on what sounds they might enjoy.

‘Looking for the Magic’ Anthology Collects Power Pop from the 1970s: Review

A 3-disc collection offers choice cuts from within the loosely defined genre, by Raspberries, Cheap Trick, Dwight Twilley & more.

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A 50th-Anniversary Edition of Frank Zappa ‘Over-nite Sensation’: Review

Zappa’s first gold record now packs in 47 bonus tracks, including live material, and a Blu-ray featuring several new mixes.

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The Feelies Cover the Velvet Underground: Review

The Velvets’ original recordings are definitive, but this CD manages to be the next best thing: a new live album from the original band.

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Bob Dylan ‘The Complete Budokan 1978’ Expands on a Controversial Release: Review

Missteps notwithstanding, there’s more than enough good stuff in this box to suggest that it belongs in any Dylan fan’s collection.

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Jimi Hendrix Rocks the Hollywood Bowl in 1967: Review

As the opening act for the Mamas and the Papas, he was still virtually unknown when he took the stage. Not for long though.

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The Cranberries’ ‘To the Faithful Departed’ Anniversary Edition: Review

Critics may have dismissed it, but there’s a lot to like on the CD, and even more to appreciate on a new 25th anniversary edition.

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‘Fyfty’ Years of Lynyrd Skynyrd: Review

The new collection may be their best yet, as it embraces all their hits, numerous standout LP cuts and eight potent live performances.

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Joni Mitchell’s ‘Archives, Volume 3’ Covers a Fruitful Era: Review

Throughout these live and studio performances, you’ll have trouble deciding which is more impressive: Mitchell’s music or vocals.

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Grateful Dead Expanded ‘Wake of the Flood’: Review

In the midst of numerous internal changes, the band released one of its most beloved studio albums, featuring several classic tunes.

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Tom Waits Reissues Five Key LPs: Review

Even those who are less enthralled with his work will have to agree that it takes you to a place you can’t get to any other way.

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