Notable Music Reissues and Box Sets for Early 2026
The best reissues, box sets, deluxe editions, and other archival releases of the past three months were a slim lot. That’s to be expected, though, following the year-end rush by the record companies to issue many of last year’s greatest…
We Gotta Groove: The Beach Boys Album Review
In 1976, after a few years of personal and creative setbacks, the Beach Boys’ label at the time, Reprise Records, launched a publicity campaign proclaiming, “Brian’s Back!” It was a bit misleading: While Brian Wilson‘s role in the group’s album…
All Washed Up by Cheap Trick: A Review
One thing you can say about Cheap Trick: After five decades of making music, the Rockford, Illinois, quartet has been pretty consistent. There have been a few slight detours along the way, such as in 1988, when the band reluctantly…
Layla by Derek and the Dominos: A Retro Review
What if someone released an impassioned twin-guitar genius record and nobody cared? That’s basically what happened – at least initially – with the only album from Derek and the Dominos. Issued on Nov. 9, 1970, Layla and Other Assorted Love…
Duets Special Review: Chrissie Hynde and Friends Shine
Coming off the best Pretenders album since the ’80s, Chrissie Hynde resumes her side career with a fourth (or fifth, depending on where 2010’s Fidelity! credited to JP, Chrissie and the Fairground Boys lands) solo LP, Duets Special. And true…
Too Late to Be Cool: Bernie Leadon Album Review
Too Late to Be Cool features a telling archival cover photo shot by Henry Diltz back in 1979. Both the album and the image took a long time to reveal themselves, and in the end – like that flashlight trained…
Saving Grace: Robert Plant Album Review
Robert Plant’s 21st-century rebirth has left most, if not all, of his 1970s rock peers looking desperate and vain in their attempts to replicate the success of their golden years. Beginning with 2007’s Raising Sand, the Grammy-winning collaboration with American…
Styx’s Love Letter to Classic Rock in Their New Album
Circling From Above transcends the notion of being merely a concept album, despite early speculations suggesting an overarching avian theme. Styx embraces this theme only briefly, reminiscent of how the Beatles approached Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Ultimately, this…
Spring Sets Featuring Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, and More
The most remarkable music reissues from the past three months have showcased an impressive variety of releases that highlight the richness of musical history. This includes archival releases that have brought to light previously unreleased recordings, remastered classic albums that…
Album Review: The Cure’s ‘Mixes of a Lost World’
The essence of remix albums inherently involves balancing the legacy of the original tracks with the anticipation of presenting something new to the audience. Frequently, it can be observed that the original songs selected for remix collections tend to overshadow…
Talkin to the Trees: A Review of Neil Young and Chrome Hearts
As Neil Young diligently explores his extensive music vault, he has unearthed previously unreleased recordings from 1977, a captivating concert documentary soundtrack, an album filled with previously unheard Crazy Horse tracks from 1969, and the exciting third volume in his…
Walk This Road: A Review of The Doobie Brothers’ Album
The last time Michael McDonald contributed to an album featuring new tracks by the Doobie Brothers was back in 1980, a time when record sales were the primary measure of a hit song. Artists like this California-based group enjoyed the…