On Second Thought

Aerosmith Finally Got Down, Dirty and Just Right Again on ‘Honkin’ on Bobo’

Aerosmith Finally Got Down, Dirty and Just Right Again on ‘Honkin’ on Bobo’

It didn’t last very long, but Aerosmith belatedly recaptured their initial spirit and energy 15 years ago today on ‘Honkin’ on Bobo.’

Lou Reed Head Faked His Fans Once Again With ‘Animal Serenade’

Lou Reed Head Faked His Fans Once Again With ‘Animal Serenade’

Lou Reed’s live ‘Animal Serenade’ delivered the goods 15 years ago this week, but – gasp! – in an elegant, almost cerebral fashion.

How ‘One Way Out’ Finally Sold Me on the Allman Brothers Band

How ‘One Way Out’ Finally Sold Me on the Allman Brothers Band

The Allman Brothers Band made a new fan 15 years ago today with the release of their final concert recording.

Return to Forever’s Surprise ‘Returns’ Smartly Focused on the Past

Return to Forever’s Surprise ‘Returns’ Smartly Focused on the Past

‘Return to Forever: Returns’ arrived 10 years ago today as a reminder of everything we loved about this cosmic, muscular and damned funky band.

Wynton Marsalis Finally Learned How to Have Fun Again With ‘The Magic Hour’

Wynton Marsalis Finally Learned How to Have Fun Again With ‘The Magic Hour’

Wynton Marsalis signed with the Blue Note label 15 years ago, then released an album worthy of that bastion of earthy joy.

Why the Byrds’ ‘Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde’ Failed to Meld Disparate Styles

Why the Byrds’ ‘Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde’ Failed to Meld Disparate Styles

A reworked edition of the Byrds tried to combine country and psychedelic rock on an album released 50 years ago today.

How Bennie Maupin Left Mwandishi Behind on ‘The Jewel in the Lotus’

How Bennie Maupin Left Mwandishi Behind on ‘The Jewel in the Lotus’

Bennie Maupin went solo 45 years ago this month, taking concepts (and players) from his time with Herbie Hancock – but using a far different approach.

Justin Townes Earle Came of Age on the Rootsy, Focused ‘Midnight at the Movies’

Justin Townes Earle Came of Age on the Rootsy, Focused ‘Midnight at the Movies’

10 years ago, Justin Townes Earle’s ‘Midnight at the Movies’ showed that simple and bold can certainly outshine complex and epic.

When John Frusciante Returned to Solo Work on ‘Shadows Collide With People’

When John Frusciante Returned to Solo Work on ‘Shadows Collide With People’

John Frusciante released a solo album 15 years ago this week that wasn’t as hot as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, nor as funky – but more distinctive than you might expect.

How Joe Bonamassa Finally Arrived With ‘The Ballad of John Henry’

How Joe Bonamassa Finally Arrived With ‘The Ballad of John Henry’

10 years ago this week, Joe Bonamassa discovered the perfect balance between his penchant for blues covers and ’70s-style hard rock.