Todd Rundgren’s once out-of-this-world vision for Utopia – prog-pop? proto-new wave rock? – was coalescing into a provocative and powerful musical conception.

Like “Deacon Blues,” another of Steely Dan’s ‘Aja’ hits, “Josie” has a specially written intro revisited later in the song that’s absolutely killer.

Over that past few decades, the consolidation of radio and record label ownership has had an “interesting” effect on record releases — they have become quite a bit more homogeneous You May Also Like: Tracy Chapman Smartly Updated Her Approach on ‘Our Bright Future’ Trombone Shorty Raced Beyond Genres onRead More

Steve Barton, who rose to college-radio fame with the Beatles-y new wave band Translator, scuffs up what has become a reliably sunny solo power pop sound on the new Projector. You May Also Like: Steve Porcaro goes inside Toto’s new music: ‘It was a Toto first’ Lizzy Rose, “Walk theRead More

There are moments when it all comes together on one concert bill, when the opening act works seamlessly to get the crowd ready for the headliner. Then, there are the other times. These times. You May Also Like: When the National Anthem Was Simply Terrible: Gimme Five

Louisiana’s Sonny Landreth, long known for his wizardry on the slide, has never issued an all-instrumental recording — until now. Due May 22, 2012 on his own Landfall label, Elemental Journey will include guest appearances by Eric Johnson and Joe Satriani, among others. You May Also Like: Sonny Landreth BoldlyRead More

A new multi-artist American tour thrillingly combines rock and blues — in fact, it’s right there in the name — with appearances by Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter, among others. You May Also Like: The McCoys – Infinite McCoys (1968): On Second Thought Edgar Winter Group – TheyRead More

Bonnie Raitt uses her first album in seven years to move fluidly between expected slide-guitar swagger and these deeply intriguing moments featuring impressionistic asides from Bill Frisell. You May Also Like: Susan Tedeschi’s Varied ‘Back to the River’ Set the Stage for Greatness Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ – TajmoRead More

Shortly after a preview article was published on the upcoming remaster of James Taylor’s Mud Slide Slim And The Blue Horizon, we were knocking around some ideas while sitting around the Something Else! watercooler. You May Also Like: James Taylor – ‘One Man Band’ (2007; 2019 reissue) In Praise ofRead More

From your ears to the multiplex: Bob Dylan’s 1975 divorce record Blood on the Tracks — featuring such album rock-radio staples as “Tangled Up in Blue” and “Simple Twist of Fate” — will be made into a feature-length film. You May Also Like: Tom Wilmeth Explores Bob Dylan’s Impact onRead More