Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Three recent albums are muscling the big band jazz tradition into the new decade, each in its own way.
Read More »Music Reviews: Big Band Blues and Jazz from Swingadelic, Jim Waller Big Band, Ian Charleton Big Band
Music
Music Reviews: An ‘Ultimate’ Edition of John Lennon’s First Major Solo Album, Plus Al Stewart’s ‘Year of the Cat’
A new box set expands the ex-Beatle's first solo album to include six CDs, two Blu-rays, and a book. Also: a British folk/rock gem is remastered.
Read More »Music Reviews: Three Stops at the Doo-wop Shop, Plus Maia Sharp and Ted Russell Kamp
Reissues feature a trio of rock progenitors: the Ravens, the Larks, and the Harptones. Plus, new releases from Maia Sharp and Ted Russell Kamp.
Read More »Music Reviews: Allman Brothers Live, Plus California Music, Drew Weaver, and Bob Bradshaw
A previously unreleased 1971 concert features Duane Allman, plus a partial Beach Boys reunion and more.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Beat Farmers, James Holvay, Will Porter, and Mary Karlzen
The Beat Farmers' 1985 debut resurfaces in a deluxe edition and Will Porter's overlooked 2015 gem is reissued. Plus, fine new music from James Holvay and Mary Karlzen, two artists who haven't been heard from in ages.
Read More »SXSW Film Review: ‘Under the Volcano’ – George Martin’s Magical Musical World
A small Caribbean island was the birthplace of some of the most popular music of the 20th century.
Read More »Music Reviews: Cappella Romana – ‘Hymns of Kassianí,’ the Earliest Known Female Composer; Plus New York Polyphony and The Crossing
Three new albums span more than a millennium of choral music, from the Byzantines to the 21st century.
Read More »Music Review: Tyler Holmes -‘Nightmare in Paradise
Nightmare in Paradise' from Taylor Holmes is the perfect synthesis of electronic music and soul sensibilities. This is next generation music happening right now.
Read More »SXSW Film Review: The Jubilant ‘We Are the Thousand’
Anita Rivaroli's exuberant documentary about passion in music made its North American debut at SXSW Online 2021.
Read More »Music Reviews & More: Hope Dunbar, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wild & Blue, the Dinallos, and Allen Ginsberg
New music from three artists, plus a 1976 Lynyrd Skynyrd concert and Allen Ginsberg's first recorded reading of "Howl."
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