Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Reviews of an expanded edition of Frank Zappa's Over-nite Sensation, the Feelies' 'Some Kinda Love,' and more.
Read More »Music Reviews: Frank Zappa’s ‘Over-nite Sensation’ Box Set, the Feelies’ Velvet Underground Tribute, and More New Releases
Holiday Music
Music Review: Ensemble Correspondances – ‘Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Messe de Minuit’ (Christmas Music from 1694)
This recording of the Midnight Mass and other Christmas music by the French baroque master definitely brings some joy to the world, no matter what holidays you may celebrate.
Read More »Music Reviews: Choral Music for Christmas from The Crossing and Cappella Romana
New albums of Christmas-related choral music from contemporary choir The Crossing and Eastern Orthodox music specialists Cappella Romana have brightened my holiday season.
Read More »Concert Review (NYC): John Adams’ ‘El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered’ from American Modern Opera Company
A compelling performance of Julia Bullock's chamber version of John Adams' 'El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered' was an unusual way to usher in Christmas at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.
Read More »Music Reviews: Guns n’ Roses’ ‘Use Your Illusion’ (Super Deluxe Ed.), plus Jimi Hendrix, Amy Ray, James Houlahan, Eddie & the Hot Rods, and Louis Armstrong
A gargantuan box set adds two live concerts and more to Guns N' Roses' 'Use Your Illusion' albums.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jonathan Richman Reissues, plus Dolly Parton, the Smithereens, Peggy Lee, and Fredrik Lundin
Reviews of reissues from Jonathan Richman, plus Dolly Parton, Smithereens, Peggy Lee, and Fredrik Lundin & Odense Jazz Orchestra.
Read More »Music Reviews: Lucinda Williams and John Sebastian, Plus Marshall Crenshaw, Wild Rivers, Michael Veitch, and Kate MacLeod
Lucinda Williams covers Rolling Stones and Christmas songs, and John Sebastian revisits the Spoonful songbook. Plus four more new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: A Deluxe Edition of the Band’s ‘Cahoots,’ plus ABBA and Paul Kelly
The Band's fourth LP reappears as a 50th-anniversary box set, plus ABBA's first album in 40 years and a noteworthy Christmas CD.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Doors’ ‘L.A. Woman’ (50th-Anniversary Edition), plus Rod Stewart and a Holiday-themed Anthology
The sixth and final studio album by the original Doors has been expanded to include more than two and a half hours of previously unavailable material.
Read More »Music Reviews: Rolling Stones’ ‘Tattoo You’ (Super Deluxe Ed.), plus Elvis Costello’s ‘Spanish Model’ and New Holiday Music
The Rolling Stones' 'Tattoo You,' now available in a greatly expanded deluxe edition, could have easily ended up as a mess. Instead, it's often regarded as the group's last great album.
Read More »