Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Aaron McMullan's 'Swing Hosanna, Sing The Salt' is a wonderful chaotic dream of an album. As fine a piece of imagination as you'll ever hear.
Read More »Music Review: Aaron McMullan ‘Swing Hosanna, Sing The Salt’
Album Reviews
Music Reviews: An Unusual Anthology Collects Hits from 1957, plus Marvin Gaye and Diane Hubka
An eclectic anthology collects the songs that made Billboard's Top 100 in one week of August 1957. Plus, Marvin Gaye and Diane Huber.
Read More »Music Reviews: A Box Set Showcases Bob Dylan’s ‘Time Out of Mind’ Sessions, plus Jeb Loy Nichols and Josh Sinton
A box set expands on "Time Out of Mind," Bob Dylan's 1997 masterpiece. Plus, the underappreciated Jeb Loy Nichols and jazz from Josh Sinton.
Read More »Music Reviews: Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, Impressions with Jerry Butler, Orchestra Gold, and Howdy Glenn
The first solo album from the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir reappears with a bonus concert, plus Impressions with Jerry Butler, Orchestra Gold, and Howdy Glenn.
Read More »Music Review: Loudon Wainwright’s First Two Albums Reappear on a Single CD
Loudon Wainwright III's first two albums are reissued on one CD.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Carter Family, Frank Zappa, and Janis Joplin with Jorma Kaukonen
New CDs offer a treasure trove from the influential family, noteworthy jazz-rock from Frank Zappa, and pre-fame material from Janis Joplin and Jorma Kaukonen.
Read More »Music Review: A Hot Concert Highlights the Beach Boys’ ‘Sail On Sailor – 1972’
The Beach Boys' 'Sail on Sailor - 1972' includes expanded versions of two albums recorded that year, plus a contemporaneous concert.
Read More »Music and Film Reviews: Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Live at Royal Albert Hall,’ plus Dave Alvin’s ‘Eleven Eleven’ and Sam Platts’ ‘West Side’
A CD/Blu-ray box set features Creedence Clearwater Revival at Royal Albert Hall in 1970, plus reviews of Dave Alvin and Sam Platts.
Read More »Music and Film Reviews: Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Alternate Collection,’ plus Willie Nelson and Cat Stevens
A review of Fleetwood Mac's "The Alternate Collection," plus a Willie Nelson concert CD/DVD set and a new edition of Cat Stevens's "Catch Bull at Four."
Read More »Music Reviews: Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Only the Strong Survive,’ plus Alex Chilton and Melissa Carper
Bruce Springsteen covers classic soul and R&B on 'Only the Strong Survive,' plus a live Alex Chilton reissue and a new album from Melissa Carper.
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