Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
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 »Charlie Doherty’s Top Songs and Albums of 2022
Rock
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 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.
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 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.
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