Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
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: An Unusual Anthology Collects Hits from 1957, plus Marvin Gaye and Diane Hubka
Blues
Charlie Doherty’s Top Songs and Albums of 2022
After five long years, Canadian indie pop rockers Alvvays returned in 2022 with 'Blue Rev,' the best album of their career. And my fav of the year.
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 and Film Reviews: Billy Joel’s ‘Live at Yankee Stadium’ and John Mellencamp’s ‘Scarecrow’ (Deluxe Ed.), plus Dee Clark, Luke LeBlanc, the Great Divide, Rick Berthod, and Daniel Sherrill
A hits-filled Billy Joel concert surfaces on CD and Blu-ray, plus reviews of a deluxe reissue of John Mellencamp's "Scarecrow" and more new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: ‘Gotta Get a Good Thing Goin’ – Black Music in Britain in the Sixties,’ plus Elliott Murphy and John Fullbright
A new anthology surveys music by Black artists in the UK in the 1960s. Also: reviews of new albums by Elliott Murphy and John Fullbright.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Kinks’ ‘Muswell Hillbillies/Everybody’s in Show-biz – Everybody’s a Star’ plus John McCutcheon, Collective Soul, Mick Kolassa, and Brian Lisik
A big box set marks the 50th anniversary of the Kinks' "Muswell Hillbillies" and "Everybody's in Show-biz – Everybody's a Star"
Read More »Music Reviews: Everly Brothers, Paul Kelly, Todd Sharpville, Matt Lomeo, Willi Carlisle, and the Local Honeys
An anthology showcases the Everly Brothers' rockabilly roots. Plus five more noteworthy new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: ABBA’s ‘CD Album Box Set,’ plus Brad Absher, David Newbould, Michael Martin Murphey, and Rod Picott
A 10-CD box delivers all the Swedish pop group's hit-packed albums, including 2021's 'Voyage,' plus a disc of non-LP tracks.
Read More »Music Reviews: Mary Gauthier, John Coltrane, Charlie Musselwhite, Edie Carey, Michael McDermott, and Laney Jones
Mary Gauthier arrives at a hopeful place, plus an anniversary edition of a classic John Coltrane CD and more new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: Willy DeVille’s ‘Venus of the Docks: Live in Bremen 2008,’ plus Erika Lewis, Michelle Malone, and Stew Cutler
A live set from Willy DeVille embraces punk, doo-wop, Cajun, and Latin music.
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