On Second Thought

Vinyl

Donny Brown of the Verve Pipe – Hess Street EP (2014): On Second Thought

Taking its title from the name of the street the Verve Pipe’s Donny Brown grew up on, ‘Hess Street EP’ was a striking debut recording.

The Guess Who - Track Record: The Guess Who Collection (1988): On Second Thought

The Guess Who – Track Record: The Guess Who Collection (1988): On Second Thought

Although oodles of Guess Who compilations are available, ‘Track Record: The Guess Who Collection’ is possibly the best of the bounty.

Paul McCartney's willingness to fail made Band on the Run an enduring masterpiece

Paul McCartney’s willingness to fail made Band on the Run an enduring masterpiece

‘Band on the Run,’ released on Dec. 5, 1973, pushes Paul McCartney to new places, as he incorporates every part of his pop genius.

Frank Sinatra's Trilogy offered one final thunderous triumph

Frank Sinatra’s Trilogy offered one final thunderous triumph

Frank Sinatra would enter a studio again only a handful of times after ‘Trilogy’ arrived 35 years ago. None produced more timeless results than this.

Vinyl

Neil Young’s Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House finds an artist in ascension

‘Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House,’ issued on Dec. 2, 2008, presents Neil Young before he rose to solo stardom. But you’d never know it.

Vinyl

Transitional ‘Sorcerer’ changed Miles Davis, and his music, forever

Released in December 1967, ‘Sorcerer’ is the clearest sign yet that Miles Davis was letting go of the wheel.

Vinyl

Brian Eno’s Small Craft on a Milk Sea has only gotten better with time

When Brian Eno’s ‘Small Craft on a Milk Sea’ arrived in November 2010, I was disappointed. You expect him to be ever changing.

How the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour was almost, but not quite, saved

How the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour was almost, but not quite, saved

Pity the poor Brits, who didn’t initially receive the full 11-song U.S. version of the Beatles’ ‘Magical Mystery Tour,’ released on Nov. 27, 1967.

Vinyl

The folkiest moment on Queen’s Night at the Opera was still a trip

Released this month in 1975, Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’ boasted a stunning musical promiscuity. They even found a way to take folk rock to outer space.

The Beatles' Love was a worthy concept not taken far enough

The Beatles’ Love was a worthy concept not taken far enough

The Beatles’ Love, released this month in 2006, was at its best when George Martin got outside of convention – but that didn’t happen nearly enough.