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
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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‘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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New Riders of the Purple Sage’s Debut LP: Country + Rock + Jerry Garcia = ?
They began as a country-influenced offshoot of the Grateful Dead, but, by the time they recorded this debut, they’d morphed into something else altogether.
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Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’: Struggle & Liberation
The album, a landmark release for Motown, remains a monument to his big heart and soul, and a prophecy for our time.
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