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
Lou Reed’s ‘New York’ Dramatically Expanded: Review
People say write about what you know, and man, did Reed know New York’s undercurrents, which serve as the subject of some of this album’s best tracks.
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Kansas’ ‘Leftoverture’: A Prog/Arena Rock Magnum Opus
Their fourth album made Kansas one of the top U.S. mainstream rock bands and helped pave the way for the style now known as “arena rock.”
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Rickie Lee Jones’ Debut: Hipster Chic, Beyond Laurel Canyon
She reached beyond folk, rock and blues influences then dominant among Los Angeles’ singer-songwriters, looking to earlier generations of songsmiths.
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Bill Withers’ ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’: Soul Preachin’
He’d never even planned for a career in music. Before long, he found himself on stage at one of the most prestigious performance venues in the world.
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The Allman Brothers Band’s ‘Eat a Peach’: Farewell to a Brother
Started before the death of Duane Allman, and completed after he was gone, the album served as a poignant, multifaceted farewell to the guitar great.
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The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ Reissue Reviewed: The Anniversary It Deserves
Our reviewer: This anthology offers 3 compelling reasons to buy it. The excellent sound quality, the demos and outtakes and the 100-page hardcover book
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The Doors Strange Days: We Want the World…
On their second album, Jim Morrison and the band moved into uncharted territory lyrically and instrumentally. When the music’s over, turn out the lights…
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Blondie’s ‘Parallel Lines’: An International Smash
The LP, which included the smash “Heart of Glass,” would transform the group from boutique act into a worldwide sensation. Our Album Rewind…
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Rolling Stones’ ‘Goats Head Soup’ Deluxe Edition: Review
Rock critics slammed it and even Mick Jagger later said it wasn’t a great one, but fans made the ‘Exile’ followup a huge seller. We take a fresh listen.
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‘Smiley Smile’: The Beach Boys Album That Wasn’t Supposed to Be
Their followup to ‘Pet Sounds’ was a quick replacement for an abandoned masterpiece-to-be. Some fans didn’t love it, but in time its reputation has grown.
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