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
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.”
Read MoreElton 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.”
Read MoreCheap Trick ‘Heaven Tonight’: They Just Seemed a Little Weird
Our look back at the band’s third album, released in 1978.
Read MoreNeil Young & Crazy Horse’s Debut: Of Rivers and Cowgirls
The 1969 album’s streamlined band sound offered a direct connection to his emerging power as a live musician, and launched a career-long partnership.
Read MoreSteely 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.
Read MoreThe 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. The 1970 album introduced a new Guess Who.
Read MorePaul Simon ‘There Goes Rhymin’ Simon’: American Tunes
With classic songs such as “American Tune,” “Kodachrome” and “Loves Me Like a Rock,” his third solo album sealed his reputation as a major solo artist.
Read MoreJohn Fogerty’s ‘Blue Ridge Rangers’: One-Man Band
With CCR having called it a day, he entered the studio alone and put together an album’s worth of tributes to his country, gospel and bluegrass heroes.
Read More‘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.
Read MoreJ. 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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