Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
A box set collects the first five solo albums from Dire Straits' leader and Jesper Lindell hits a home run with his sophomore release.
Read More »Music Reviews: Mark Knopfler’s ‘The Studio Albums 1996–2007,’ plus Jesper Lindell’s ‘Twilights’
Album Reviews
Music Reviews: Willy DeVille’s ‘Venus of the Docks: Live in Bremen 2008,’ plus Erika Lewis, Michelle Malone, and Stew Cutler
A live set from Willy DeVille embraces punk, doo-wop, Cajun, and Latin music.
Read More »Music Reviews: Rain Perry’s ‘A White Album,’ Bobby Cole’s ‘A Point of View,’ Giulia Millanta’s ‘Woman on the Moon,’ and Ronnie Earl’s ‘Mercy Me’
A musical response to racism, an overlooked jazz singer, a blues guitar set, and an emotional folk-rock journey.
Read More »Music Reviews: Scott McCarl’s ‘Play On,’ plus Surrender Hill, Jose Ramirez, and the Waymores
Power pop from a former member of the Raspberries plus two country-flavored duos and a blues guitar prodigy.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Loud Family and Anton Barbeau, Son House, Bailey Bigger, and Bart Davenport
A parting shot from the Loud Family hits its mark. Also, a previously unheard concert from Delta blues legend Son House, and CDs from Bailey Bigger and Bart Davenport.
Read More »Music Reviews: Ian Noe and Duke Robillard, plus Genevieve Racette and Jefferson Ross
Noe's fine sophomore album recalls John Prine. Blues guitarist Robillard, whose career has spanned more than half a century, serves up 18 high-energy tracks.
Read More »Music Reviews: Judy Collins’s ‘Spellbound’ and Natalie Cole’s ‘Unforgettable,’ plus Tone of Voice Orchestra, the Lied To’s, and Back pOrchEstra
Collins's 55th album is also the first to consist entirely of self-penned material. Also: a reissue of Cole's tribute to her father's music and new releases from three up-and-coming acts.
Read More »Music Reviews: Elliott Murphy with Olivier Durand, plus the Troggs, Kate Klim, and Terry Klein
A great live set from an underappreciated artist, a reissue from a British Invasion group, and a pair of noteworthy folk/rock releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Left Banke, ‘The Beatles and India,’ Peter Tosh, the HawtThorns, and April March
Previously unheard baroque rock gems from the group that gave us the classic "Walk Away Renee." Also: a great reggae concert, Beatles covers by Indian artists, and more.
Read More »Music Reviews: Charley Patton, Jesse Correll, Mike Zito, Amy Jay, the Pine Hearts, and Joan Osborne
Six new releases, everything from vintage blues to introspective folk-rock.
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