How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Fly: U2’s ‘Achtung Baby’ at 30
In 1991, U2 risked tearing down the structure they built in the 1980s with the release of Achtung Baby and made a phoenix-like return to rock god status.
pop rock
ABBA’s ‘Voyage’ Is More Than Pretty Good
ABBA have pulled off a very good reunion album with Voyage despite the odds and expectations. The bar remains where they left it nearly 40 years ago.
MIKA’s ‘Last Party’ Is a Glorious Celebration
With over 100 classical musicians and choristers, MIKA has ventured to the Royal Opera of Versailles to re-record orchestral versions of his biggest hits.
Tori Amos Is Comfortable in Her Discomfort on ‘Ocean to Ocean’
Tori Amos’ Ocean to Ocean is a cohesive collection of songs that expertly articulates and finds meaning in the deepest recesses of despair.
Paul Weller’s ‘Days of Speed’ Gets a Long-Awaited Vinyl Reissue
The vinyl reissue of Paul Weller’s Days of Speed is an inspired release, as it shows a vital new phase of his career with a live set that’s a sheer pleasure to rediscover.
Elton John Unlocks His ‘Lockdown Sessions’
Elton John brings a wildly eclectic set of collaborators together for The Lockdown Sessions. It’s pure 21st-century pop, spiked with John’s vocals and piano.
‘Lindsey Buckingham’ Sounds Like Lindsey Buckingham
On his first solo album in a decade, former Fleetwood Mac maestro Lindsey Buckingham reasserts his considerable talents and charms.
Coldplay Don’t Reach the Heart on Ambitious ‘Music of the Spheres’
Coldplay’s ninth studio album Music of the Spheres desperately wants to inspire its listeners, but the songwriting and sound fall flat.
Atlanta’s Dinner Time Expand Their Sonic Horizons to Great Effect on ‘Halfway Down’
Atlanta-based indie rockers Dinner Time embrace a more eclectic sound on their deeply enjoyable sophomore album, Halfway Down.
Elton John’s ‘Songs From the West Coast’ at 20 Years Old
Elton John revisited his past to record the acclaimed Songs from the West Coast in 2001. The album began a late-career revival that continues to this day.
Fountains of Wayne’s Power Poptastic Debut Turns 25
Fountains of Wayne’s debut LP reasserts how sturdy the formula of a catchy chorus and distorted guitars can be when a group has the songwriting to back it up.
Cold War Kids Bring a Satisfying Conclusion to the ‘New Age Norms’ Trilogy
Cold War Kids’ New Age Norms 3 takes some big swings and mostly lands with more of a good thing from an essential act in pop-rock.