Ranking Steely Dan Albums From Worst to Best
February 20, 2025Steely Dan’s comeback record, ‘Two Against Nature,’ arrived 25 years ago this month. See where it ranks as we count down every album in the band’s catalog.
The Bright Spots in George Harrison’s Troubled ‘Dark Horse’ Era
December 29, 2024‘Dark Horse’ and its subsequent tour arrived 50 years ago amid a period of conflict and uncertainty for George Harrison. But there were bright spots.
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Jazz Guitarist Juan Dhas Discusses ‘Aether’: Something Else! Interview
November 30, 2024 -
Tower of Power, Jennifer Hudson, Ben Folds + Others: 2024’s Seasonal Sounds
November 25, 2024
Ivo Perelman, Ken Vandermark + Joe McPhee – ‘Oxygen’ (2025)
March 3, 2025When advanced improvisers like Ivo Perelman, Ken Vandermark and Joe McPhee get together as they did on ‘Oxygen,’ advanced instantly produced art is the outcome.
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Ivo Perelman & Tyshawn Sorey – ‘Parallel Aesthetics’ (2025)
February 21, 2025 -
Dennis Mitcheltree and Johannes Wallmann – ‘Holding Space’ (2025)
February 15, 2025
Steve Smith and Vital Information, “Don’t Stop Believin'” (2025): One Track Mind
January 29, 2025Here is a video of Steve Smith and Vital Information’s explosive take on Journey’s megahit “Don’t Stop Believen’.”
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Patrice Rushen – ‘Prelusion’ (1974, 2024 Remaster)
January 2, 2025 -
Takuya Kuroda – ‘Rising Son’ (2014, 2024 reissue)
December 25, 2024
Jeff Arnal + Dietrich Eichmann – ‘Tides of Unrest / Berlin 2023’ (2025)
February 26, 2025Jeff Arnal and Dietrich Eichmann were on their game for ‘Tides of Unrest / Berlin 2023’ as there is synergism galore, and it never wavers no matter how many chances each take.
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Wolf Eyes + Anthony Braxton – ‘live at pioneer works, 26 october 2023’ (2025)
January 30, 2025 -
Keiji Haino + Natsuki Tamura – ‘What Happened There?’ (2025)
January 15, 2025
Ranking Steely Dan Albums From Worst to Best
February 20, 2025Steely Dan’s comeback record, ‘Two Against Nature,’ arrived 25 years ago this month. See where it ranks as we count down every album in the band’s catalog.
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Fernando Perdomo – ‘Waves 2’ (2025)
February 12, 2025 -
How Black Sabbath’s Self-Titled Debut Invented a New Genre of Music
February 5, 2025
Fernando Perdomo – ‘Waves 2’ (2025)
February 12, 2025Fernando Perdomo has crafted another engaging chapter in ‘Waves,’ his ongoing prog-rock series. Is it better than the original LP? That’s a tall order.
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James Booth and the Return – ‘An American Warlock in Holywood’ (2024)
January 19, 2025 -
Cheer-Accident – ‘Vacate’ (2024)
January 3, 2025
How Black Sabbath’s Self-Titled Debut Invented a New Genre of Music
February 5, 2025‘Black Sabbath’ was released 55 years ago this month, and I’m still struck by what a defining moment this was in rock.
Alestorm, Ratt, Zeal & Ardor + Others: Fred Phillips’ Best of 2024 Metal and Hard Rock Songs
January 26, 2025Fred Phillips’ Best of 2024 list of metal and hard rock songs includes Alestorm, Ratt, Armored Saint, Zeal & Ardor and others.
The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco – ‘Are You Sure?’ (2025)
February 2, 2025The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco are back. Their calling card of campy humor married to tight rock-pop songcraft are back, too, with their new set of songs ‘Are You Sure?’.
Will Galison, “Every Child Loved” (2024): One Track Mind
October 30, 2024Will Galison’s “Every Child Loved” is a heartfelt song that underscores this harmonica virtuoso’s flair as a singer-songwriter.
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Andrew Gabbard – ‘Ramble and Rave On’ (2024)
October 28, 2024 -
Bill Frisell, Andrew Cyrille + Kit Downes – ‘Breaking the Shell’ (2024)
October 25, 2024
‘Crowded House: Every Album, Every Song’ by Jon Magidsohn: Books
January 22, 2025‘Crowded House: Every Album, Every Song’ is an entertaining read for those interested in understanding the band’s artistry and the stories behind their music.
Dan Weiss, Bobby Broom, Judith Owen + Others: Five for the Road
June 6, 2024Dan Weiss, Bobby Broom, Judith Owen and others are part of the latest edition of Five for the Road, an occasional look at music that’s been in my car lately.
The Rescued Early Paul McCartney Song That Completed ‘Beatles For Sale’
December 4, 2024Released 60 years ago today, the Beatles’ fourth album dug deeply for a track that had originally been demoed in Paul McCartney’s childhood bathroom.
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The Pink Floyd Deep Cut That Perfectly Encapsulates ‘The Wall’
November 29, 2024 -
A Rare Beatles Cover Proves John Lennon Was Wrong About His Voice
November 26, 2024
Terry Blade – ‘Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues’ (2025)
March 4, 2025Terry Blade’s ‘Chicago Kinfolk: The Juke Joint Blues’ is a modern-day blues masterpiece that is as musically potent as it is culturally significant.
Narada Michael Walden: The Albums That Shaped My Career
September 9, 2024Narada Michael Walden’s music and that of the artists he works with varies intriguingly from genre to genre. So do the albums that shaped his career.
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Sylvester – ‘Live at the Opera House’ (2024)
September 6, 2024 -
Let ‘South of the Snooty Fox’ Open Your World to Underrated Sterling Harrison
July 8, 2024
60 Years Later, the Beatles’ ‘Hard Day’s Night’ Is Still Revolutionary
August 20, 2024‘A Hard Day’s Night’ premiered in the U.S. in August 1964, catapulting the Beatles into stratospheric fame.
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‘Penny Singleton: A Biography’: ‘Blondie’ and Beyond
July 4, 2024 -
How the Seattle Cinerama Was Reborn as SIFF Cinema Downtown
April 12, 2024
Why the Rolling Stones’ Harrowing ‘Gimme Shelter’ is Still Revealing New Depths
November 18, 2024Issued 55 years ago on ‘Let It Bleed,’ the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter” has a narrative so involving that it even drew in a non-lyrics guy like me.
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60 Years Later, the Beatles’ ‘Hard Day’s Night’ Is Still Revolutionary
August 20, 2024 -
Norman Lear Would Change Modern TV, But First He Came to Iowa
December 11, 2023
How ‘Hollies Sing Hollies’ Showed New Promise After Graham Nash’s Exit
November 14, 2024Released 55 years ago this month, ‘Hollies Sing Hollies’ retains the spellbinding harmony and melodic smarts that brought the Hollies acclaim in the first place.
How ‘Hollies Sing Hollies’ Showed New Promise After Graham Nash’s Exit
November 14, 2024Released 55 years ago this month, ‘Hollies Sing Hollies’ retains the spellbinding harmony and melodic smarts that brought the Hollies acclaim in the first place.
The Five Must-Have Songs For Your Halloween Playlist
October 31, 2024Stuck for a Halloween playlist to help while away the minutes between tonight’s zombie apocalypses? Start here.
Playin’ the Changes With Tom Petty, Aerosmith + Cheap Trick: Shadows in Stereo
October 25, 2021Often over-looked albums by Tom Petty, Aerosmith and Cheap Trick are turning 40 next year. But why wait for a rock ‘n’ roll re-evaluation?
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MC5 – ‘High Time’ (1971): Shadows in Stereo
September 13, 2021 -
AC/DC, Tom Petty, Neil Young + Others: Shadows in Stereo (Lockdown Edition)
February 24, 2021
