The Who’s disjointed, disappointing It’s Hard never lived up to its initial promise
Featuring a decidedly un-Who sounding single, ‘It’s Hard’ arrived on Sept. 4, 1982 with a confusing thud. Even its best song was a broken promise.
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Roger Waters Created His Solo Masterwork With Focused, Trenchant ‘Amused to Death’
‘Amused to Death,’ released on September 1, 1992, found Roger Waters returning to a tried-and-true formula. The result was his best solo album.
Asia [with John Payne], “Ghost in the Mirror” from Silent Nation (2004): One Track Mind
Released on August 31, 2004, Asia’s ‘Silent Nation’ represented the final collaboration between longtime partners Geoff Downes and John Payne.
Dr. John, Preservation Hall + others: Music framed initial journey past Hurricane Katrina
In the period immediately after New Orleans’ levees failed under Hurricane Katrina’s onslaught beginning on Aug. 29, 2005, musicians began trying to make sense of things.
Journey, “Faith in the Heartland” from Generations (2005): One Track Mind
On this standout cut from ‘Generations,’ released on August 29, 2005, Journey returned to a familiar theme – and, in turn, recalled past glories.
Alan Parsons Project, “Lucifer” from Eve (1979): One Track Mind
The Alan Parsons Project’s ‘Eve’ arrived on August 27, 1979 with a life-changing – or, at the very least, an ear drum-rearranging – instrumental.
Paul Simon’s Graceland stirred outsized praise, and some criticisms too
To paraphrase Paul Simon, these are songs of miracle and wonder. Decades after its August 25, 1986 release, however, ‘Graceland’ still sparks controversy.
Paul McCartney’s overly mechanized Press to Play had one saving grace
Paul McCartney has been on a creative tear of late. But first he had to dispense with the overproduced dud ‘Press to Play,’ released on Aug. 25, 1986.
David Byrne and Brian Eno found renewal in Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Inventive yet still unabashedly joyous, ‘Everything That Happens Will Happen Today’ was released by David Byrne and Brian Eno on August 18, 2008.
John Mellencamp’s No Better Than This was a darkly inspiring triumph
Even as shadows gathered around the superlative ‘No Better Than This,’ released this week in 2010, John Mellencamp clung to his weathered optimism.
