[Review] Kansas: Monolith (1979)
The band revs their injuns for one last, classic ride through the stars.
The Steve Miller Band: “My Dark Hour” (1969)
The song that teaches us, when life hands you lemons, make lemonade with Paul McCartney.
[Review] Electric Light Orchestra: Olé ELO (1976)
The best of the band’s first five albums, which weren’t exactly their best albums.
[Review] Robert Wyatt: Rock Bottom (1974)
His highest musical achievement to date is a surreal sea of strange creatures.
Elton John: “Island Girl” (1975)
This single’s got classic Elton John written all over it.
[Review] Santana: Welcome (1973)
The spiritual, musical journey of Santana continues on this brilliant album.
[Review] Cat Stevens: New Masters (1967)
A good half of New Masters still sounds like a lab-created Neil Diamond, but the other half reveals a diamond in the rough.
Squeeze: “When the Hangover Strikes” (1982)
Sweet’s most sophisticated moment was apparently too sober for the radio.
[Review] Sailor: Trouble (1976)
The band takes a tropical vacation (sort of) with nickelodeon in tow for their best album yet.
[Review] Donald Byrd: Byrd’s Eye View (1956)
A test flight for The Jazz Messengers in transition, featuring their former and future trumpet players.
David Bowie: “Changes” (1971)
Rolling Stone ranked this as Bowie’s second-greatest song, behind “Heroes.”
[Review] Brinsley Schwarz: Despite It All (1970)
They wasted little time in releasing a second album, which features the classic “Country Girl.”
[Review] Spirit: The Family That Plays Together (1968)
Randy California emerges as a second songwriter on the band’s scintillating second album.
Eric Clapton: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (1975)
Clapton nicked Knock while working with Arthur Louis, effectively preempting Louis’ own shot at a hit single.
[Review] Phil Manzanera/801: Listen Now (1977)
A highly listenable collection of left-of-center songs from Manzanera and the MacCormick Brothers.