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
Rod Stewart ‘Gasoline Alley’—His Unequaled, Magical Masterpiece
His second solo album showcased an artist who excelled at both rollicking rock ‘n’ roll and tender, emotive ballads.
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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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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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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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Leonard Cohen: His “Gloomy” ‘Songs of Love and Hate’
His third studio album cemented his reputation as “the grocer of despair”
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The Hard-Boiled Asylum Debut of Warren Zevon: Rock Noir
With production by Jackson Browne and great songs like “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” and “Hasten Down the Wind,” the 1976 LP is an unsung classic.
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The David Crosby Solo Debut—Well Worth Remembering
For the 1971 release, Croz gathered a superb supporting cast, one that featured the communal contributions of friends and fellow travelers.
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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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