Album Reviews

Who doesn’t love a great boutique vinyl shop that doesn’t break your cratedigging wallet’s heart? This is a story about Diggers Factory, an online record store that offers so much more than “standard” LPs — things like exclusive releases, color vinyl, merch, accessories, and, yes, even good old-fashioned cassettes. Read Shanon McKellar’s in-depth feature to learn more about how Diggers Factory do what they do, and check out her hands-on reviews on three top-tier current DF vinyl offerings. . .

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. . .

There are numerous reasons why music fans should be interested in a previously unreleased 5LP box set featuring an entire performance of Frank Zappa and his original Mothers of Invention band in full flight in the heart of the Los Angeles freak scene of the late-1960s. Titled Whisky A Go Go, 1968, this lovingly curated collection — which was released by Zappa/UMe on June 21, 2024 — is a time-capsule snapshot moment in time when Zappa’s original band was reaching an arguable performing peak. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see just how good Whisky A Go Go, 1968 sounds, and why its Optimal pressing on BioVinyl was clearly a wise decision by the Zappa braintrust. . .

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. . .

It’s been heavily bootlegged over the years, and yet Paul McCartney & Wings’ One Hand Clapping is still something of a holy grail among fans. These 1974 live-in-the-studio recordings find the group firing on all cylinders — and then some. Finally, this vital Macca music has been officially released today, June 14, 2024, by MPL/Capitol/UMe as both a 180g 2LP set and a web-exclusive edition that also includes a bonus six-track 45. Read on to see why Mark Smotroff feels One Hand Clapping offers some of the most rocking Macca & Wings music on vinyl to date. . .

Pianist and composer Vijay Iyer is someone who should have been on our analog radar much, much sooner, so we’re beyond pleased that we’re now able to marvel at his and his trio’s true artistry on their new 180g 2LP release on ECM Records, Compassion. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if Iyer and Compassion should be added to your must-listen list. . .