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.
‘Against the Odds 1974-1982’ Delivers a Massive Dose of Blondie
The set offers a reminder that Blondie’s massive success came despite initial years of struggle, internal conflicts and other obstacles.
Read More
A Superlative 1972 Grateful Dead Concert Album from London Resurfaces: Review
If you wanted to introduce someone to the group for the first time, this concert would be as good a place to start as any.
Read More
The Swinging Blue Jeans: Echoing the Beatles—Until They Didn’t
Where their fellow Liverpudlians continued to grow artistically, this combo, known for “Hippy Hippy Shake,” stayed in place too long.
Read More
The Animals’ Early LPs Reappear in Expanded Editions
They scored numerous hits, all of which showed that, like the Rolling Stones, their members were heavily influenced by American R&B and blues.
Read More
A New Compilation Surveys L.A.’s Vibrant Late ’60s Rock Scene
What most makes this 3-CD set noteworthy are the many fascinating obscurities that the compilers have unearthed by major and long forgotten bands.
Read More
Elvis Presley ‘Live 1969’ Review: ‘He Meant Every Word’
After years of making mostly cringe-worthy movies, the King returned to the stage, fully engaged, in fine voice and clearly having a ton of fun.
Read More
The Rolling Stones’ ‘Licked Live in NYC’: Review
The band–world champs at mining the vault–is in fine form throughout this 2003 gig that includes many familiar tracks and a handful not heard as often
Read More
ABBA’s ‘Album Box Set’ is the Ultimate Guilty Pleasure
The box boasts ABBA’s irresistible wall of sound, which incorporates soaring melodies, terrific vocal work, hooks galore, and inventive use of synthesizers.
Read More
The Rolling Stones Go Small with Big Results on ‘El Mocambo 1977’
This Toronto recording, capturing a gig played for 300 lucky souls and featuring both hits and obscurities, ranks with the best of the Stones’ live LPs.
Read More
Led Zeppelin’s Epic Live ‘How the West Was Won’
The chart-topping three-disc set, remastered in 2018, culls the best material from three June 1972 Los Angeles–area concerts.
Read More