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
Delaney and Bonnie ‘Accept No Substitute’: White Soul Born in Turmoil
A beautiful album, close to perfection in the playing and singing, it was helmed by a married couple whose own relationship was falling apart at the seams.
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Willie Nelson’s ‘Red Headed Stranger’ & the Unlikely Birth of Outlaw Country
The album defined him as an iconoclast comfortable on his own path, which he would follow in singular fashion for decades to come.
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Graham Nash’s ‘Songs for Beginners’: Taking Center Stage
His stunning solo debut, arriving when CSNY was in flux, exemplified Nash’s ability to navigate the divide between desire and despair.
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David Bowie’s Berlin Trilogy: ‘Low,’ ‘Heroes’ and ‘Lodger’
All three albums are now hailed as milestones in his dazzling career, and a marked influence on other artists, including King Crimson
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Peter Gabriel ‘So’ Album: Into the Mainstream
At the start of sessions, no one could predict that the quirky former Genesis frontman would produce an album that would sell a zillion copies.
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Paul & Linda McCartney ‘Ram’: Macca Magic
For all the criticism tossed his way, McCartney and his hired hands did an admirable job of conveying the mirth and merriment inherent in these songs.
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Squeeze ‘East Side Story’: A Wily New Wave Classic
The album’s success underscores how Squeeze’s elan as a lively, kinetic pop-rock outfit was elevated by Difford and Tilbrook’s artistry as storytellers.
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The Shining Debut of Quicksilver Messenger Service
Years of playing and professionalism produced one of the era’s best records, whose sheer musicality shines as brightly today.
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Chicago’s Eclectic Debut Album: With Authority
Chicago’s speedy ascent was fueled by a landmark debut that made an immediate splash with critics and listeners, but it was more than a hit record.
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Talking Heads ‘More Songs About Buildings and Food’: Artful Music
“We don’t fit into anyone else’s category, so we’re going to have to create our own,” said David Byrne about the band’s second album.
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