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 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.
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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.
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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.”
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Rod Stewart ‘Every Picture Tells a Story’: Ha!
The man who one said, “I’m a rock star because I couldn’t be a soccer star,” broke through with his solo third album, which included the smash “Maggie May”
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‘Evangeline’—Emmylou Harris’ Gourmet Leftovers
The song list tapped familiar writers like Rodney Crowell and the late Gram Parsons, her mentor and musical soulmate, along with rock and folk tunesmiths including John Fogerty, James Taylor, Robbie Robertson, and Little Feat’s Bill Payne.
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Wings’ ‘Venus and Mars’: What the Man Said
Following the breakup of the Beatles, McCartney just wanted to be another band member. He finally got his chance (sort of) with this 1975 LP.
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Los Lobos’ ‘Kiko’: A Hallucinatory Masterpiece
The early ’90s release was rightly acclaimed as the band’s studio pinnacle for its thematic breadth and sonic innovation.
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Patti Smith’s ‘Horses’: Poetry In Motion
Smith said, “Of course I wanted to work in the rock ’n’ roll tradition. I didn’t know any other tradition existed.”
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Elton John ‘Honky Chateau’: New Heights
“I find it hard to comprehend just how prolific Bernie and I were during the early days,” Elton has said. “The songs just poured out of us.”
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Cheap Trick ‘Heaven Tonight’: They Just Seemed a Little Weird
Our look back at the band’s third album, released in 1978
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