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
‘Pearl’–Janis Joplin’s Last Hurrah
‘Pearl’ remains Janis Joplin’s most fully realized record, fronting the best band she would ever lead on her strongest set of material.
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The Sprawling ‘London Calling’ From The Clash
The 2-LP set was one of the best albums of its time, and marked the evolution of the UK quartet from punk heroes to great rock band
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Steely Dan’s ‘Gaucho’: Perfection and Chaos
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker’s quest for the perfect groove proved a key denominator across the 1980 album.
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Joan Baez ‘Any Day Now’: A Loving Tribute to Bob Dylan
In 1968, the singer decamped to Nashville and cut a double album’s worth of songs written by her good friend and collaborator. The results were mostly glorious
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‘All Things Must Pass’–George Harrison’s Crowning Solo Set
Released in 1970 as the Beatles officially split and all four dropped solo albums, Harrison’s mammoth boxed set was a dark horse.
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The Grateful Dead: ‘American Beauty’—The Cream of the Crop
At least half of its songs are recognized as Dead classics: “Box of Rain,” “Friend of the Devil,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Truckin’” and “Ripple.”
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Beach Boys Party! – Fun Time and Lots (and Lots) of Covers
Capitol Records wanted a new LP for the ’65 holiday shopping season. Brian was busy with Pet Sounds. So they recorded plenty of their contemporaries’ songs
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The Doors ‘Waiting for the Sun’ Deluxe: Review
There’s a lot to like on this third Doors album, and it’s not difficult to see why it did so well. We review the 50th anniversary edition of their only #1 LP.
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The Supremes at Their Peak With A’ Go-Go: Review
The expanded edition of the Motown trio’s first—and only—studio album to hit #1 includes mono and stereo mixes plus loads and loads of covers
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Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ Album: Crazy, Man, Crazy
The 1984 album yielded 5 hit singles and became one of the best-selling soundtracks of all time. It was his first LP to hit #1
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