Blue Largo – ‘Got to Believe’ (2022)
Blue Largo’s ‘Got to Believe’ is an album of sheer soulful joy, as this tight San Diego ensemble rocks, rolls, rumbles and tumbles through 11 tunes.
Something Else!
Steely Dan’s ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill’: Five Great Songs You Might Not Know
Steely Dan burst onto the music scene 50 years ago this month with their platinum-selling debut. Here’s a deeper dive into ‘Can’t Buy a Thrill.’
Desert Island Discs: Guilty Pleasures
Here’s what we’ll be packing way in the back of our luggage – way, way in the back – before our fateful seafaring journey.
Delay Tactics – ‘Elements of Surprise’ (2022)
Carl Weingarten and Delay Tactics offer more tempered prog that’s still filled, thankfully, with a very earthy groove.
How ‘Fresh’ Crowned the Raspberries as Power Pop’s Forefathers
Issued 50 years ago this week, ‘Fresh’ lived up to its title as Eric Carmen and the Raspberries balanced radio-ready pop with muscled rock reflexes.
In Defense of the Often-Overlooked Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople deserves wider fame for their eclectic mix of Dylan-esque folk rock, glam leanings, prog-type forays, proto punk/metal and rock ‘n’ roll.
‘Guitar Man’ Shows Why You Shouldn’t Keep Dismissing Bread
Released 50 years ago, ‘Guitar Man’ proved that Bread was a lot more mercurial than their soft-rock critics would ever admit.
Snakecharmer – ‘Anthology’ (2022)
Appealing to lovers of ‘No Smoke Without Fire’-era Wishbone Ash, Snakecharmer produced plenty of twin-guitar ecstasy during their short tenure.
Why I Changed My Mind About Frank Zappa’s ‘Sheik Yerbouti’
Structured to mirror his live concerts from the 1975-80 period, ‘Sheik Yerbouti’ is actually one of the classics from Frank Zappa’s “rock” canon.
The Unforgettable Mamas Gun Gem Tucked Away on Their ‘Room Service’ EP
Mamas Gun closed out this five-song collection with “Saint Maria,” dedicated to the patron saint of teenaged women and victims of sexual assault.
