Recordings

Best Classic Bands offers smart, informed and unbiased assessments of the latest rock album releases and reissues to offer readers guidance on what sounds they might enjoy.

Marianne Faithfull Box Collects Singer’s 1960s Recordings: Review

The singer proves capable of handling everything from traditional and modern folk to Brill Building tunes and rock.

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‘I Shall Be Released: Covers of Bob Dylan 1963-1970’: Review

What we largely have here are obscure recordings, some by well-known artists and some by performers who have attracted much less attention than the songs they’re covering.

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‘Who’s Next’ Expanded Edition Reveals ‘Life House’ Opus As Pete Townshend Intended

In the roughly five years encompassing Tommy and Quadrophenia, he amassed a mind-boggling song catalog that rivals that of any of his musical peers.

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Eric Andersen Delivers a Live Version of His Classic ‘Blue River’: Review

It’s a must-hear set—even better than the original ‘Blue River,’ writes our reviewer.

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The Kinks Complete ‘The Journey’ With 3rd Volume: Review

Part 3 delivers remasters of a dozen numbers initially issued between 1977 and 1984, plus a previously unheard 16-song concert.

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Nick Drake: ‘Five Leaves Left’ Expanded—Review

He remained little known for years. One reason might be that he was simply ahead of his time.

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Talking Heads: ‘More Songs About Buildings…’ Expanded—Review

David Byrne arguably comes across a bit less like a “Psycho Killer,” but his vocals still incorporate his trademark yelps and odd phrasing.

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Bruce Springsteen’s Remarkably Varied ‘Tracks II: The Lost Albums’—Review

The lion’s share of this material is just as compelling as much of what he has included on his many hit albums.

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Frank Zappa: Previously Unseen ‘Cheaper Than Cheep’ Reviewed

He and his band, the Mothers of Invention, were riding high in June 1974. After completing a 10th-anniversary tour, they filmed a two-hour concert for an invited audience in their Hollywood, Calif., rehearsal hall.

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Christopher Cross: An Expanded Edition of His Blockbuster Debut—Review

The album earned Cross Grammys for Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist and Song of the Year.

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