Mike Casey is, not to put too fine a point on it, an extraordinary saxophone player.

The only problem with Fergie Frederiksen’s tenure as frontman with Toto, in my humble opinion, is that it didn’t last long enough.

“All Together Now” shows how the Beatles incorporated other genres and infused them with their own rock sound, creating a unique music form.

“Ministry of Life” is an excellent preface for what’s coming on ‘Esquire III: No Spare Planet,’ the third album from Yes co-founder Chris Squire’s ex-wife Nikki Squire.

Celtic Frost was one of the pioneering bands of what would become death and black metal. Then came 1988’s ‘Cold Lake.’

Rob Reddy’s ‘Citizen Quintet’ imposes itself as more than just a collection of songs but as a creature: inhaling, exhaling, always moving in crooked paths while always finding its way home, displaying evolving emotion as it bursts with complexity.

Memory of Elements’ ‘Now Noise’ is an album with so much going on that you’ll need more than one listen to fully appreciate it.

Given the results of the recent election, the opening lyrics to Chicago’s “Lowdown” feel especially true for many right now.

The 1957 Tail-Fin Fiasco are superstars alongside XTC and Squeeze in an alternate universe in which pop music doesn’t insult your intelligence and sometimes even challenges it.

Even at 13 tracks, the gorgeous ‘FM’ almost seems too short. Farewell Milwaukee always leaves you wanting more.