Album Reviews

What do I mean by "Summer of Blah"? Is this not the most, compliant, passive, drippy, "blah" generation to come down the pike in decades?

Fifty years ago, upon the release of his 10th studio album on RCA, January 1976’s Station to Station, David Bowie painted a firm portrait of his future, presenting his Thin White Duke persona that was first hinted at on March 1975’s Young Americans. Now celebrating its so-called Golden Jubilee, Station to Station was re-released 50 years to the day on January 23, 2026, via Parlophone in a new half-speed-mastered, audiophile-worthy limited-edition 180g LP, alongside a fun, companion picture disc option. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if you need to check into either/both of these STS reissues. . .

While we’re saving our final determinations for what the best box sets of 2025 are for later in the year, the new mega-multi-LP collection from David Bowie, 6: I Can’t Give Everything Away: (2002 – 2016), is certainly a contender. In short, it’s an amazing study of the man, his music, and enduring vision. Read Mark Smotroff’s review of this massive 180g 16LP/2EP collection to see why it’s well worth the investment. . .

David Byrne’s The Catherine Wheel has long been a favorite release amongst his fervent fanbase, dating back to the album’s first, albeit abbreviated appearance on vinyl in December 1981. Finally, The Complete Score From the Broadway Production of “The Catherine Wheel” gets its full due on 2LP black vinyl, thanks to its Record Store Day 2023 release in a run of 6,500 copies. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if this expanded edition should become an essential part of your own Catherine Wheel listening experience. . .

With Luck and Strange, David Gilmour has graced us with another fine solo LP that he himself considers among his best. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see how Luck and Strange indeed stacks up with the benchmark releases in the storied Pink Floyd canon as well as with his prior solo work. . .