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
‘Before the Flood’—Memorializing Dylan and The Band’s ‘Tour ’74’
More than seven years after his shocking motorcycle accident, Dylan returned to live performance in style, along with his favorite musicians.
Read More
Journey ‘Escape’: When the Fans Really Started Believin’
This is a curious chapter in rock history, as one of a few select albums that defines listener taste, consumer spending and chart success.
Read More
Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble’s ‘Texas Flood’: Out of the Gate
Recorded as a demo over a long holiday weekend, the album launched the career of the legendary bluesman and gave the genre itself a huge boost.
Read More
‘Blow by Blow’: A Jeff Beck Master Class in Guitar
The 1975 all-instrumental album, produced by George Martin, was a guitarist’s master class
Read More
The Rolling Stones’ ‘Some Girls’: The Grooves of Now
With punk rock nipping at their aging heels, the Stones revved things up with classic tracks like “Shattered,” “Miss You” and “Beast of Burden.”
Read More
‘Another Side of Bob Dylan’: Younger Than That Now
The album contained songs that were later cut by everyone from the Byrds to Johnny Cash to Cher.
Read More
Nick Lowe: ‘Labour of Lust’—The Basher Blossoms
The highly regarded British singer/songwriter/producer and his pals from Rockpile cut this classic album at the height of the new wave era.
Read More
The Black Sabbath Debut LP: Where Metal Began
Every defining characteristic of the British band’s self-titled debut would become a hallmark of the oft-maligned heavy metal genre.
Read More
The Laura Nyro and Labelle Collaboration: ‘Gonna Take a Miracle’
The album is Nyro’s tribute to the vocal groups and songwriters who continued to thrill and inspire her.
Read More
George Harrison’s ‘Living in the Material World’: Is It Underrated?
Harrison said at the time, “I wouldn’t really care if no one ever heard of me again. I just want to play and make records.”
Read More