Album Reviews

In honor of Audiophile Day (October 2), I spent the balance of my afternoon and evening hours spinning some of my favorite LPs, both new and old alike. With that in mind, let me tell you a story about The Doors and the big beat of Analogue Productions’ new 200g 1LP UHQR edition of their April 1971 studio swan song with Jim Morrison behind the mike during his lifetime, L.A. Woman. Read on to see why this new Clarity Vinyl edition belongs on your turntable now. . .

The prospect of reviewing a new album by Nick Lowe is both exciting and daunting. How do you fairly encapsulate a new release from a man whose reputation is etched into the music history books via his many classic LPs and production work that arguably helped shape the sound of the late-’70s and early ’80s new-wave movement? Well, when you produce an album that sounds as good as Lowe’s new Indoor Safari LP does, it’s less daunting to review a record that can stand proudly alongside his legacy creations. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why Indoor Safari — which also happens to be “powered by” Lowe’s current tourmates, Los Straitjackets — belongs on your turntable today. . .

Trying to describe in simple words the sound and scale of a beautifully crafted new progressive rock work from a multi-disciplinary composer presents a number of journalistic challenges — but we’re up to the task. The work in question is a new 2LP deluxe box set by Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan titled The Bird of a Thousand Voices, which is both eye and ear popping in its presentation and sonic execution. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see how and why both discs of The Bird of a Thousand Voices are worthy of many multiple spins. . .

The much bandied-about cliché of a “return to form” has been dragged out many times when referring to legacy artists who deliver an unexpected late-career masterstroke. But in the case of Smoke & Fiction, the new studio album by Los Angeles roots-punk legends X that was released via Fat Possum on August 2, 2024, that phrase may very well be warranted. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see how X delivered the best of their trademark sound on this vital new LP. . .

Periodically, artists will issue an album that unintentionally divides their audience, as John Lennon did with his October 1973 solo LP, Mind Games. A new 2LP set dubbed Mind Games: The Ultimate Mixes & The Out-takes, released on July 12, 2024, may change some of that perspective, as it aims to bring listeners more inside Lennon’s 1973 recording sessions at New York’s Record Plant studio. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this new edition of Mind Games is worth the investment. . .

The prospect of a new Johnny Cash album in 2024 is both daunting and exciting, especially when the album has been created posthumously from unreleased demos. Fortunately, the new 180g 1LP set simply dubbed Songwriter suffers none of the issues that often plague releases of this nature, due in no smart part to having been produced by the late, great artist’s son, John Carter Cash. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see just how Songwriter honors the indelible Johnny Cash legacy. . .

Original pressings of it from 1964 are scarce, as it was initially issued primarily in the UK. What’s a vinyl-loving fan of acoustic blues on a budget to do? Fortunately, Craft Recordings has come to the rescue, seeing fit to reissue John Lee Hooker’s legendary 1964 Riverside Records LP, Burning Hell as part of their new Bluesville series. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this AAA edition of Burning Hell should be fired up or your turntable sooner than later. . .