The Time Boston’s Picky Tom Scholz Got It Right the First Time
Tom Scholz said “Amanda,” which arrived 40 years ago this month on Boston’s ‘Third Stage,’ ended up “exactly the way I wanted it.”
On Second Thought
King Crimson Moved Far Afield on ‘Discipline,’ But Didn’t Forget Their Roots
Released 45 years ago today, ‘Discipline’ found a retooled King Crimson stirring new wave elements into their essential prog sound.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Golden Era Was Definitively Captured on ‘One More From the Road’
Released 50 years ago this week by Lynyrd Skynyrd, ‘One More From the Road’ explodes with classic-era energy and skintight performances.
Every Copy of Rush’s ‘Roll the Bones’ Reveals Something New
Released 35 years ago this month, Rush’s ‘Roll the Bones’ is better than most people think. As many times as I’ve bought it, I should know.
How Uriah Heep’s ‘Look at Yourself’ Bridged the Gap Between Psychedelia and Heavy Metal Sounds
Released 55 years ago this month, ‘Look at Yourself’ showed Uriah Heep had become a serious musical force to be dealt with in the early ’70s.
Decades Later, Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten’ Can Definitively Be Called Classic Rock
When Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten’ arrived 35 years ago today, they seemed so drastically different. It’s a little harder now to hear why this was so shocking.
Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ Stirred Well-Deserved Praise – And Some Criticisms, Too
To paraphrase Paul Simon, these are songs of miracle and wonder. But four decades after its Aug. 25, 1986, release, ‘Graceland’ still sparks controversy.
How Paul Butterfield Deftly Blended Blues and Psychedelia on ‘East-West’
When ‘East-West’ was released 60 years ago this month, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band opened doors not just for the blues but all of rock.
How Wild Cherry’s Self-Titled Debut Went Way Beyond ‘Play That Funky Music’
Released 50 years ago this month, ‘Wild Cherry’ built on the success of their chart-topping first single to become a freakingly fine funkfest.
Marvin Gaye’s Still Deeply Relevant ‘What’s Going On’ Sought Salvation in a Broken World
Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ arrived 55 years ago today as one of the 1970s’ most important records – and one of music’s most complex joys.
