: I, II, III 2014 remasters
reviewed by Jeff Slate
"It's been over 20 years since the original CDs were issued. Since then the technology has improved, and there are all these new digital formats out there, so it made sense to revisit the studio...
Music Reviews
What we are listening to. Non-critically.
: Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart (remaster) & Key Lime Pie (remaster)
reviewed by Larry Crane
It was 1985. I was in a band called Vomit Launch. Our guitarist, Lindsey Thrasher, was DJ'ing at our college station (KCSC) in Chico, California. While there one day, she picked up the phone and a...
: Silver Bell
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
I've been a fan of Patty Griffin's since I heard her first album, Living With Ghosts in 1996. The record is just Griffin solo with her acoustic guitar, and the sound quality is pretty rough. It sounds...
: The Office Soundtrack
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi, Larry Crane
For this 100th issue, John and I tried to think of some of the albums that captured the attention of our contributors and interviewees in our early years, as well as what has made for good listening...
: I Dream of Wires film (extended version)
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
I would highly recommend Robert Fantinatto's documentary film not only to anyone interested in modular analog synthesizers, but to anybody interested in sound and the electronic reproduction of audio...
: There’s a Dream I’ve Been Saving: Lee Hazlewood Industries 1966-1971
reviewed by Larry Crane
Somehow Light in the Attic Records has been given access to the vaults of LHI, the company that producer, songwriter, singer, mogul, and cowboy Lee Hazlewood helmed in the mid-'60s and early-'70s....
: Sound System box set
reviewed by Jeff Slate
There's been some grumbling on the Internet amongst fans of The Clash claiming that the band's lavish new box set, Sound System, is a pricey totem more befitting the perennially reissued Rolling...
: Nothing Can Hurt Me
reviewed by David Peterson
The story of Big Star, one of the best-known cult bands in rock history, is unveiled in the documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me. It traces the glorious, and confounding, history of a group of talented...
: Made in California 6 CD box set
reviewed by Jeff Slate
When I first heard that The Beach Boys were preparing a 50th anniversary box set I must admit I pondered, "How many times can this band reissue the same old songs?" Well, The Beach Boys have...
: The Next Day
reviewed by Larry Crane
Sessions for Bowie's 24th studio album, his first in ten years, began several years ago "in secret" at The Magic Shop, New York City [owned by Steve Rosenthal, Tape Op #29]. Long-time collaborator...
: Old Yellow Moon
reviewed by Larry Crane
This excellent collaboration between Emmylou and Rodney, her former Hot Band cohort, presents a clean, straightforward recording of two legendary country singers laying down some great takes. Emmylou...
: Silver Silver
reviewed by John Baccigaluppi
This is one of my favorite records I've heard lately, with some of the most interesting production and arrangements. It reminds me of some of the best work of Mitchell Froom [Tape Op #10] and Valgeir...