Album Reviews

Pat Metheny burst onto the scene in the mid-1970s as basically a fully formed, guitar-slinging compositional prodigy — and his official debut album, 1976’s Bright Size Life, has just been reissued as part of ECM Records’ vaunted Luminessence series. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see just how good this audiophile-grade LP edition of Bright Size Life is, and why you need to get a copy of it ASAP. . .

The official National Calendar says today, August 12, is National Vinyl Record Day, so I cued up a few of my favorite new vinyl offerings — including the latest 2LP studio set from a longtime favorite, a 4LP box set with an album I’ve been waiting decades to get on vinyl, and a brand-new-to-2024 throwback 45 — to celebrate the theme of the day. Read on to see what they are, and feel free to chime in about your own favorite LPs you were spinning on your own turntable on this most hallowed of days. . .

In the world of popular music, few names are as iconic as Louis Armstrong. His influence is undeniable as one of the founding fathers of jazz, and while there is no shortage of posthumous releases issued since Armstrong’s passing at age 69 in 1971, that wealth of music can also make the process of discovery daunting for new listeners trying to figure out where to begin — or where longtime fans can continue. Read Mark Smotroff’s review of the newly released 180g 1LP Louis in London set on Verve to see why this live performance he did for BBC TV in 1968 is a great place to start and/or resume. . .

Dwight Yoakam burst on the music scene in the mid-1980s with a refreshing blend of vintage ‘50s/’60s-inspired, truckstop-worthy, country-fried, rockabilly-infused honky-tonkin’ twang and bright, modern sensibilities that captivated new and old audiences alike. On Record Store Day 2024 back on April 20, Reprise/Rhino/Via issued a limited edition (3,500 copies) 4LP box set dubbed The Beginning and Then Some: The Albums of the ’80s to celebrate Yoakam’s fruitful career beginnings. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why this reasonably priced box set is worth pickin’ up and spinnin’. . .

Grateful Dead’s self-released June 1974 LP From The Mars Hotel often polarizes fans, with some considering it an all-time classic while others (sadly) overlook it. We here at AP feel Mars Hotel warrants reconsideration as an ultimate equal in the now-classic trilogy of “indie” Dead studio albums from the 1973-75 time period. Lucky for us, this underrated album has been officially reissued by the Dead and Rhino in newly remastered 180g 1LP form today, June 21, 2024. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why this new edition of From The Mars Hotel belongs in your collection. . .

The acclaimed hybrid North Carolina/New York four-piece band The dB’s were on the leading edge of the gradually growing indie-rock movement as the calendar turned to the 1980s. Today, we are celebrating the first-ever U.S. vinyl edition of their highly influential January 1981 debut LP, Stands for deciBels, which is set for release by Propeller Sound Recordings next Friday, June 14. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why Stands for deciBels continues to stand tall as an influence on much of the music we listen to on vinyl today, and why this new domestic LP version belongs in your collection. . .

A new 4LP box set compiling the initial four solo album releases by the late, great tastemaking guitarist/vocalist Tom Verlaine, titled Souvenir From a Dream: The Tom Verlaine Albums (1979-1984), celebrates the artist’s initial musical life beyond Television, his highly influential CBGB-era alt-punk band. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if Souvenir is worth adding to your collection. . .