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
‘Wrecking Ball’—Emmylou Harris, Rewired
The 1995 album was a gamble both forward-looking but also connected to her early career as a folk singer.
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Frey & Souther’s ‘Longbranch Pennywhistle’: Not Ready for Prime Time Players
The sparks of genius are here and there in the songwriting, and especially in the deft singing and instrumental arrangements.
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Elvis Costello’s ‘Taking Liberties’: Spare Parts
The compilation album proved early in his career that his so-called “leftovers” are better than many other artists’ main meals.
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Revisiting Paul Simon’s U.S. Solo Debut: World Music
He said at the time, “I am really happy to be by myself now and not have to share decisions. Now I do things almost entirely to my taste.”
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Joe Cocker ‘Mad Dogs & Englishmen’: More Than a Little Help
“We can imagine how exhausted Cocker, Russell and Co. must have been when they got off the road, but from the audience’s point of view, it was worth it.”
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When Eric Clapton ‘Unplugged’: Rebirth from Tragedy and ‘Tears’
With six Grammy wins, it remains his most popular album and biggest seller.
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Vanilla Fudge’s 1967 Debut: Maximum Psychedelia
It was rock music pushed to its limits, with a radical use of soft-loud-soft dynamics and the emotional drama of rhythm and blues and soul.
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Maria Muldaur: Debut Solo Album—Smart, Sassy and Seductive
The 1973 album, which included the top 10 hit “Midnight at the Oasis,” is a potent blend of country, blues, folk and pop, and it still sounds fresh.
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John Mellencamp’s ‘Scarecrow’: The Turning Point
The 1985 album served as an overture for how he would bring his music into the world from that point forward.
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Pat Benatar and ‘Crimes of Passion’: Her Best Shot
She has remained the thing she set out to be, an artist who made her own seat at the table and turned it into a remarkable rock music legacy.
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