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
Pete Townshend ‘Empty Glass’: The Who Album That Wasn’t
Although it’s fully satisfying on its own, the album, the most successful of Townshend’s solo releases, has been called a Who record that never was.
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Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s Debut: Of Rivers and Cowgirls
The 1969 album’s streamlined band sound offered a direct connection to Young’s emerging power as a live musician, and launched a career-long partnership
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Steely Dan ‘The Royal Scam’: Rock on a Grand Scale
The 1976 LP proved divisive, augmenting the leaner ensemble core of prior albums with more aggressive ensemble arrangements
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The Guess Who’s ‘American Woman’ Album: Distant Roads Are Calling
The Canadian band had been scoring with ballads like “These Eyes” and “Laughing.” Now they wanted to rock. American Woman introduced a new Guess Who
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Paul Simon ‘There Goes Rhymin’ Simon’: American Tunes
With classic songs such as “American Tune,” “Kodachrome” and “Loves Me Like a Rock,” Simon’s third solo album sealed his reputation as a major solo artist
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Jethro Tull—’Aqualung’: The Ultimate Concept Album
‘Aqualung’ proved successful, with the rock press heralding the album for its variety, seriousness and the unmatched musicianship.
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John Fogerty’s ‘Blue Ridge Rangers’: One-Man Band
With CCR having called it a day, Fogerty entered the studio alone and put together an album’s worth of tributes to his country, gospel and bluegrass heroes.
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‘Electric Mud’: When Muddy Waters Went Psychedelic
While the album would find itself the object of critical scorn, it served its purpose: introducing a new generation to blues.
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J. Geils Band’s ‘Live—Blow Your Face Out’ Revisited
It wasn’t their first live album, but ‘Blow Your Face Out’ took the band’s manic rock ‘n’ soul energy to another level entirely.
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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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