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
‘Evangeline’—Emmylou Harris’ Gourmet Leftovers
The song list tapped familiar writers like Rodney Crowell and the late Gram Parsons, her mentor and musical soulmate, along with rock and folk tunesmiths including John Fogerty, James Taylor, Robbie Robertson, and Little Feat’s Bill Payne.
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Wings’ ‘Venus and Mars’: What the Man Said
Following the breakup of the Beatles, McCartney just wanted to be another band member. He finally got his chance (sort of) with this 1975 LP.
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Los Lobos’ ‘Kiko’: A Hallucinatory Masterpiece
The early ’90s release was rightly acclaimed as the band’s studio pinnacle for its thematic breadth and sonic innovation.
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Patti Smith’s ‘Horses’: Poetry In Motion
Smith said, “Of course I wanted to work in the rock ’n’ roll tradition. I didn’t know any other tradition existed.”
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Elton John ‘Honky Chateau’: New Heights
“I find it hard to comprehend just how prolific Bernie and I were during the early days,” Elton has said. “The songs just poured out of us.”
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Cheap Trick ‘Heaven Tonight’: They Just Seemed a Little Weird
Our look back at the band’s third album, released in 1978
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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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