Album Rewinds
Given the test of time and the wisdom of hindsight, how do significant albums from the past sound and play today? Our critics take a second look from a fresh perspective
The Band’s Pioneering ‘Music From Big Pink’
The album offered quiet songs of experience bathed in a rustic glow, with no hints of the futurism and none of the kilowatt drama then prevalent elsewhere in rock.
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‘Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1’: Just Your Basic Dylan-Petty-Harrison-Orbison-Lynne Supergroup
Their unexpected union was a landmark combining an array of distinctive voices into something no individual could create alone.
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Paul McCartney’s Solo Debut: Declaration of Independence
The 1970 album, his first outside of the Beatles, is a picture of Paul in transition, a historical document of quiet beauty.
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Free’s ‘Fire and Water’: More Than Just All Right
The album featured one of rock’s all-time classics in “All Right Now,” but there was much more to Free’s ferocious-yet-controlled ethic.
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Bad Company’s 1974 Debut: When Rock Fans Couldn’t Get Enough
Arising from the ashes of Free, Bad Company pursued a more stripped-down hard-rock vision. By the end of 1974, they had a #1 LP and were headlining arenas.
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‘Dusty in Memphis’: Dusty Springfield’s Pop-Soul Pinnacle
Nearing 30, the British vocal great was intimidated by the soul power at Atlantic Records, her new home. She overcame it and turned out a masterpiece.
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Aerosmith Permanent Vacation: The Rejuvenation
They’d lost their way as the ’80s lumbered along. Then, the Boston rockers remembered just who Aerosmith was. We take a look back at their classic comeback.
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Rod Stewart’s Unequaled Masterpiece @50
Gasoline Alley, his second solo album, showcased an artist who excelled at both rollicking rock ‘n’ roll and tender, emotive ballads
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Neil Young’s 1975 ‘Homegrown’ LP is Finally Released: Review
Overall, ‘Homegrown’ lives up to its legendary status; it’s a classic Neil Young album, because in 1975 he was classic Neil Young.
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Iggy Pop’s ‘The Bowie Years’ Box Set: Review
There’s probably enough on ‘The Bowie Years’ to justify its purchase by any Iggy Pop fan—or any Stooges lover, for that matter.
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