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

Oasis’ ‘Definitely Maybe’: The Audacious Debut from the Britpop Behemoths  

The original album has never gone out of style. While the States accepted it with mild trepidation in 1994, the impact was immediate in the U.K.

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Pete Townshend/Ronnie Lane: ‘Rough Mix’—An Overlooked Gem

The collaboration between the Who mastermind and Faces great was sadly overlooked at the time of its release, but is now considered a minor masterpiece.

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The Graham Parker Solo Debut ‘Another Grey Area’: Leaving the Anger Behind

GP was consciously breaking away from his perceived ‘angry’ persona, looking to send out his message in a style he saw fit.

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Big Brother’s ‘Cheap Thrills’: Behind R. Crumb’s LP Cover

It would be the only rock album for which the cartoonist would do the art. It continues to serve as a psychedelic timestamp of one crazy summer.

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Genesis’ 1991 Blockbuster ‘We Can’t Dance’: Phil’s Farewell

It’s a significant album in the band’s discography, showcasing their ability to craft hit songs with broad appeal.

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‘The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions’: When Clapton, the Stones, Winwood & Starr Helped Out a Blues Hero

When Eric Clapton was asked in 1970 if he’d like to record with a blues legend, it took him seconds to say yes. And so it began.

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Aretha Franklin’s ‘I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You’ LP: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

The 1967 album, her 10th, was her first for Atlantic Records and the start of her fruitful relationship with producer Jerry Wexler.

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Dave Edmunds’ ‘Get It’: Forward Into the Past

The 1977 album, consisting mainly of treasured cover songs with help from Nick Lowe, hinted at what Rockpile would soon deliver.

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Talking Heads’ ‘Fear of Music’: A Transitional Gem

“The first step in David Byrne’s assumption of power, moving Talking Heads from a band to his band… It was dance music that reflected the time.”

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Rod Stewart’s ‘Never a Dull Moment’: Another Step Forward

Collaborating with Ronnie Wood and his other mates in the Faces, the singer’s formula of mixing original tunes with covers proved successful.

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