Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
From 'Layla' to 'Go Your Own Way' to 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,' real-life romances have sparked many Top 10 hits.
Read More »A Dozen Top 10 Songs Inspired by Real-life Loves
Classic Rock
Music Reviews: Dickey Betts, Amanda Anne Platt, Teni Rane, and an Anthology of Early Rock and Rockabilly
Reviews: CDs from Dickey Betts, Amanda Anne Platt, & Teni Rane, plus a rock & rockabilly anthology.
Read More »Music Reviews: John Lennon’s Expanded ‘Mind Games,’ plus Iron Horse, ‘Silver Bullet Bluegrass,’ Sammy Walker, and the Magnolia Janes
John Lennon's 'Mind Games' reappears as an eight-disc box set. Plus bluegrass artists tackle rock, and reviews of CDs from Sammy Walker and the Magnolia Janes.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Rascals’ ‘Complete Atlantic Recordings,’ Johnny Cash’s ‘Songwriter,’ Nektar’s ‘Recycled,’ and More
Reviews of an exhaustive Rascals box, plus Johnny Cash, Nektar, and more.
Read More »Music Reviews: A ‘Girl Group’ Anthology, Grateful Dead’s Expanded ‘From the Mars Hotel,’ Frank Zappa & the Mothers’ ‘Whisky a Go Go 1968,’ and More
You’ll have to dig through a bit of fool’s gold to find it, but if you’re a fan of Joe Meek’s work and the so-called girl-group era, you will encounter some gems.
Read More »Music Reviews: ‘I See You Live on Love Street: Music from Laurel Canyon,’ plus Robert Hunter, Roy Brown, Soft Machine, and Jay Gordon
An anthology spotlights California's Laurel Canyon music scene. Plus, reviews of CDs from Robert Hunter, Roy Brown, Soft Machine, and Jay Gordon.
Read More »Music Reviews: David Bowie’s ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star!’ plus Late Slip, Dorsey Burnette, and Bob Wills
A box set takes a deep dive into the creation of David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' LP. Plus reviews of a CD from Late Slip and reissued material from rockabilly artist Dursey Burnette and country swing king Bob Wills.
Read More »Music Reviews: Joe Grushecky and a Rolling Stones tribute, plus Lynne Hanson, Laurie Lewis, and Nat King Cole
Pittsburgh rocker Joe Grushecky has been getting a fresh shot at wider acclaim thanks to several releases on the Omnivore label.
Read More »Music & Film Reviews: Graham Parker’s ‘Live at Rockpalast,’ Queen’s ‘Rock Montreal,’ Little Richard’s ‘Right Now!’ and More New Releases
Queen and Freddie Mercury are at the top of their game in a 1981 concert from Montreal.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Doors Live in Sweden in 1968, plus Gene Clark; Richard, Cam & Bert; and the Flying Burrito Brothers
The Doors' 'Live at the Matrix, 1967' captures the then-little-known group as it experimented with early versions of the material that would soon bring it fame.
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