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.
A More Affordable Edition of the Beach Boys’ ‘Pet Sounds Sessions’: Review
The new ‘Highlights’ release includes a cappella versions of many of the original album’s songs and assorted other oddities.
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Mudcrutch ‘2’ Review: Tom Petty & Friends Making Great Music Together
The American rock band, Southern division, from the ’70s, also included future Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench.
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The Great Dan Penn (and Why You’ve Probably Never Heard of Him)
‘Smoke Filled Room’ is an 11-track collection of demos selected by the singer-songwriter from his archives.
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Frank Zappa & Captain Beefheart’s ‘Bongo Fury’ Expanded: Review
Besides a version of the original LP that was remastered in 2012, the set includes songs that didn’t make the 1975 album.
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‘American Dream’ Recalls When John Mellencamp Was Johnny Cougar: Review
Mellencamp compositions predominate in the anthology, and they suggest where he might be headed. In some of his songs.
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A Revelatory Edition of Buddy Holly & the Crickets’ Classic LP: Review
The “Chirping” Crickets, their debut, turned out to be the only album they would make together.
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Talking Heads’ Earliest Years Explored in ‘Tentative Decisions’: Review
The performances collected here are somewhat less polished and forceful than the ones on their debut and sophomore LPs.
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‘This Can’t Be Today: American Psychedelia & the Paisley Underground’: Review
You don’t have to be hugely successful to be hugely influential. Paisley Underground groups had an impact on numerous performers who emerged later.
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Nektar Releases an Expanded Edition of Their Prog-Rock LP, ‘Down to Earth’: Review
The LP features a more lighthearted concept than their previous albums, combining memorable songs with a circus theme.
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Two Blasts from the Blasters’ Past Get Reissues: Review
The punk-influenced roots-rock band showed off the songwriting prowess of brothers Dave and Phil Alvin.
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