On Second Thought

Bjork’s Vocal-Focused ‘Medulla’ is Still Filled With Countless Surprises

Bjork’s Vocal-Focused ‘Medulla’ is Still Filled With Countless Surprises

Issued 15 years ago today, Björk’s ‘Medulla’ jettisoned every-day instruments in favor of the purest one: the human voice.

Why ‘Wakafrika’ Should Have (Finally) Made Manu Dibango a Huge Star

Why ‘Wakafrika’ Should Have (Finally) Made Manu Dibango a Huge Star

The star-packed ‘Wakafrika,’ released 25 years ago, somehow didn’t raise Manu Dibango’s profile in the U.S.

Vinyl

How Bachman-Turner Overdrive Pushed Back Against Prog With ‘Not Fragile’

‘Not Fragile’ hurtled Bachman-Turner Overdrive to stardom 45 years ago this month with an old-fashioned recipe of hard rock rooted in the blues.

Vinyl

When the Libertines Finally Broke Through the Media Frenzy

Issued 15 years ago this week, the Libertines’ surprisingly nuanced self-titled album helped me take the band seriously.

Milton Nascimento’s Genius Confirmed Even on Guest-Packed ‘Angelus’

Milton Nascimento’s Genius Confirmed Even on Guest-Packed ‘Angelus’

Released 25 years ago, Milton Nascimento’s ‘Angelus’ deftly blended jazz greats, lithe pop music and these title-worthy textures from another land.

How ‘It Might Get Loud’ Revealed a Simple Truth About Three Legends

How ‘It Might Get Loud’ Revealed a Simple Truth About Three Legends

Jimmy Page, the Edge and Jack White debuted in a film 10 years ago today that brought out my inner guitar geek.

How ‘This Time’ Brought Robert Cray Full Circle Again

How ‘This Time’ Brought Robert Cray Full Circle Again

Released 10 years ago today, ‘This Time’ found an inspired Robert Cray working with two links to his glorious past.

Robben Ford’s Tasty, Energetic ‘Soul on Ten’ Reframed His Recent Work

Robben Ford’s Tasty, Energetic ‘Soul on Ten’ Reframed His Recent Work

Someone once said Robben Ford has forgotten more licks than most guitarists ever learn. ‘Soul on Ten’ arrived 10 years ago this week as proof.

Adrian Belew Power Trio’s ‘e’ Opened the Door to a World of New Sounds

Adrian Belew Power Trio’s ‘e’ Opened the Door to a World of New Sounds

Released 10 years ago today, ‘e’ did more than advance Adrian Belew’s considerable legacy. It introduced us to a pair of exciting new talents.

Patti Scialfa Once Again Showed She Could Stand on Her Own With ’23rd Street Lullaby’

Patti Scialfa Once Again Showed She Could Stand on Her Own With ’23rd Street Lullaby’

I probably would have loved the record Patti Scialfa issued 15 years ago this week, even without the weight of the past chiming in.