Bob Dylan’s ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’ Live in New York
Back on the road after a pandemic layoff, Bob Dylan and his band returned to New York’s Beacon Theater with a captivating show focused on his latest album.
Music Reviews
Mira Calix Makes a Dada Dance Record with ‘Absent Origin’
Mira Calix’s Absent Origin takes the concepts of Dada and re-arrangement from visual artists such as Duchamp for a series of tracks impossible to pin down.
Willie Nelson Reunites the Relatives for ‘The Willie Nelson Family’
Fans will likely love the warmth and charm of The Willie Nelson Family, but the album isn’t quite essential amid such a deep catalog.
Adele Returns for More Heartbreak with the Melancholic ’30’
Adele’s 30 is an impeccable album with a strong set of songs. But its impact will feel somewhat diminished because we’re getting a very familiar Adele.
Drummer Mephisto Halabi Breaks Down the Walls of His ‘Arabic Room’
Mephisto Halabi’s The Arabic Room blends eastern exoticism, circuit-bent electronics, and some of the heaviest free improvisations you might ever hear.
Claire Cronin’s ‘Bloodless’ Is Pure Catharsis
Claire Cronin’s music plays like the ghostly sounds someone lost in the woods in winter, hungry, beyond tired, and bordering on frostbite might make.
The Beau Brummels ‘Turn Around’ As a California British Invasion Band
The Beau Brummels’ Turn Around: The Complete Recordings (1964-1970) presents the San Francisco band in all of their folk-rock glory.
Genesis Ride Into the Sunset With a Compilation to Cap Their Career
Genesis compilation The Last Domino? The Hits reminds us of a time when rock music, be it progressive, popular, both, or neither, was afraid to stay stagnant.
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss Reunite to ‘Raise the Roof’
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ Raise the Roof turns the spotlight on craft. It might not quite match its predecessor, but it maintains a high level of artistry.
Paul Weller’s ‘Illumination’ Gets a Vinyl Reissue Nearly 20 Years Later
Paul Weller’s Illumination is a highly enjoyable – if not groundbreaking – effort, filled with good-to-great songs. But Weller doesn’t move the needle here.
Various Artists: Musik Music Musique 2.0 – 1981
This 51-track compendium of 1981-vintage synthpop tries mighty hard but ultimately falls short. Licensing issues likely kept some of 1981’s best from this set.