Elton John’s Best Album ‘Captain Fantastic’ Is 50
A well-curated reissue celebrates Elton John’s best album, Captain Fantastic, a half-century after its release.
Pop Past
Blondie Went Genre Crazy on Their Comeback ‘No Exit’
Fueled by the international hit “Maria”, 1999’s No Exit brought Blondie back to life. The record has an admirable sense of adventure.
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Chubby Checker’s Unexpected Journey Into Psychedelia
Chequered! is an obscure, long-out-of-print “psychedelic” album from 1971 by the most unlikely musician: Chubby Checker, the man behind the 1960 hit “The Twist”.
Wolf Parade’s 2005 Debut Is Still a Revelation
Montreal band Wolf Parade’s haphazard formation and instant momentum yielded their most captivating work, including what would become their defining anthem.
The Brilliant Eartha Kitt Is “Miss Kitt” to You
Eartha Kitt’s best recordings from the 1950s represent the bedrock of her career and deliver a charming respite from a world in turmoil. Miss Kitt, to You is a revelation.
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“Only Dogs Have Their Day”: Son Volt’s ‘Trace’ at 30
Thirty years later, we can finally hear the songs that Son Volt’s Jay Farrar wrote without the alt-country baggage critics perpetuated to the point of cliché.
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Constantines’ ‘Tournament of Hearts’ Is Their Secret Success
Constantines are Canadian, but they understand the death of the American Dream, with their quiet, dignified stories of working-class struggles.
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Bruce Springsteen’s Extraordinary ‘Born to Run’ at 50
Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run is one of the great rock albums; it showcases youthful idealism’s shortcomings while keeping one enraptured with its false promises.
How a Decaying Monstrosity Powered Tame Impala’s ‘Currents’
The “gigantic, derelict, empty, silent monolith” sparked Tame Impala’s imagination while composing one of the most memorable albums of the 2010s.
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Before Darkness Descends: Elliott Smith’s Self-Titled at 30
Elliott Smith’s self-titled sophomore album marks the beginning of his solo career in earnest, and it remains one of the finest indie records of the 1990s.
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Kyuss Captured a Unique Moment in Metal History 30 Years Ago
While not a perfect record, Kyuss’ …And the Circus Leaves Town captures the Californian stoner rock juggernauts at a unique moment in time.
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Marie-Paule Belle’s ‘Almanach’: Charming Chansons from 1978
Marie-Paule Belle has been crafting smart, sweet, and tart pop-rock since 1973. It’s time for her profile to be higher outside her native France.