Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
A 1960s one-hit wonder, up-and-coming folksingers, a punk-rock reissue, and more new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: John Fred, Caroline Spence, Abbie Gardner, the Muffs, Delbert McClinton, Abigail Lapell, and Marc Jordan & Amy Sky
Reissues
Music Reviews: Mark Knopfler’s ‘The Studio Albums 1996–2007,’ plus Jesper Lindell’s ‘Twilights’
A box set collects the first five solo albums from Dire Straits' leader and Jesper Lindell hits a home run with his sophomore release.
Read More »Music Reviews: Rain Perry’s ‘A White Album,’ Bobby Cole’s ‘A Point of View,’ Giulia Millanta’s ‘Woman on the Moon,’ and Ronnie Earl’s ‘Mercy Me’
A musical response to racism, an overlooked jazz singer, a blues guitar set, and an emotional folk-rock journey.
Read More »Music Reviews: Scott McCarl’s ‘Play On,’ plus Surrender Hill, Jose Ramirez, and the Waymores
Power pop from a former member of the Raspberries plus two country-flavored duos and a blues guitar prodigy.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Loud Family and Anton Barbeau, Son House, Bailey Bigger, and Bart Davenport
A parting shot from the Loud Family hits its mark. Also, a previously unheard concert from Delta blues legend Son House, and CDs from Bailey Bigger and Bart Davenport.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Left Banke, ‘The Beatles and India,’ Peter Tosh, the HawtThorns, and April March
Previously unheard baroque rock gems from the group that gave us the classic "Walk Away Renee." Also: a great reggae concert, Beatles covers by Indian artists, and more.
Read More »Music Reviews: David Bowie’s ‘Brilliant Adventure’ Plus Elvis Costello’s ‘The Boy Named If’
The fifth in a series of box sets covers David Bowie's work from 1992 through 2001 and includes a previously unreleased album called 'Toy.' Also reviewed: Elvis Costello's 'The Boy Named If.'
Read More »Music Reviews: A 50th-Anniversary Edition of Frank Zappa’s ‘200 Motels’ plus Jeff Tweedy’s ‘Chelsea Walls’ Soundtrack and Josh Caterer’s ‘Space Sessions’
A deluxe version of Zappa's '200 Motels' fills six CDs. Also, a reissue of the 'Chelsea Walls' soundtrack, with music by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy; and Josh Caterer's latest.
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.
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