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
The Band’s 2nd Album: A Rustic Masterpiece
Following up their debut Music From Big Pink, Dylan’s former backup band made a transcendent, self-titled masterpiece in 1969. Here’s the story.
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‘Smiley Smile’: The Beach Boys Album That Wasn’t Supposed to Be
Their followup to ‘Pet Sounds’ was a quick replacement for an abandoned masterpiece-to-be. Some fans didn’t love it, but in time its reputation has grown.
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Pete Townshend/Ronnie Lane’s ‘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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Traffic’s ‘Welcome to the Canteen’: Together Again
The front album cover didn’t even call them Traffic; it just listed the names of the musicians. But there was no mistaking who they were.
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John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ Turns 50: ‘Ultimate Collection’ Review
The original 10-track 1971 album has been expanded for this release to include…well, more than you could have possibly imagined
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David Crosby/Graham Nash’s ‘Wind On the Water’: And Then There Were Two
In 1975, with CSN&Y in limbo once again, the two banded together to make a followup to their debut as a duo. They landed their 2nd Top 10 LP
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Bob Seger’s ‘Against the Wind’: Rockin’ the Mainstream
It’s difficult to discern any one Seger album that stands out overall. Yet even now, some 40+ years on, ‘Against the Wind’ still ranks as one of Bob’s best.
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Leo Sayer’s ‘Just a Boy’: A Big Leap Forward
The singer-songwriter’s second LP found him at the cusp of a career that would lead to greater glories, while ensuring his stature on the singles charts.
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Al Stewart’s ‘Year of the Cat’: Musical Cinema
Stewart liked the title track, but didn’t consider it suitable as a single, until producer Alan Parsons and the record company convinced him of its destiny.
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Rolling Stones Ya-Ya’s Still Unrivaled
The late Lester Bangs had “no doubt that it’s the best rock concert ever put on record.” Decades later, our writer feels that’s still true
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