An in-depth look at one album. Part of the Spotlight series run by Group Therapy.
Fresh off the phenomenal (critically and commercially) success of his last album Band On The Run, Paul McCartney went to Abbey Road and filmed a documentary of his new configuration of Wings playing a collection of songs live in the … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Paul McCartney & Wings—One Hand Clapping
John Lennon’s Mind Games album has always been ensconced at the back of his catalog in terms of quality for me. I never thought it was a horrible album; just a boring one. None of the songs really stood out … Continue reading Album Spotlight: John Lennon—Mind Games
This review of the Blue Album will be a little different from the last one, because most of its songs haven’t been newly remixed, unlike the Red Album. So I’ll focus less on the remixes and more on the song … Continue reading It’s All Because Of You: The Beatles Blue Album, 2023 Edition Review
This was almost an entirely different review. Quick background: The Beatles 1962-66 and The Beatles 1967-70 were originally released in 1973, two double LPs (vinyl) which served as their Greatest Hits. (For my thoughts on those collections, see this link: … Continue reading How Good It Can Be: The Beatles Red Album, 2023 Edition Review
The fourth in the remixed and augmented Beatles albums to be released, Revolver almost didn’t happen. There were two reasons. First, so much of the instrumentation had been recorded onto single tracks live, that it was thought to be impossible … Continue reading Did I Tell You I Need You: Revolver Super Deluxe Edition Album Review
This is a review of the augmented album release of Let It Be. For my original album review, go here: https://the-avocado.org/2018/08/26/album-reviews-the-beatles-let-it-be/ Let It Be is a paradox. It is the Beatle album with the greatest number of outtakes, and it … Continue reading In Times Of Trouble: Let It Be Super Deluxe Edition Review
When it was originally released in late 1970, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass was an unexpected gift to the world. Packaged in a hinged box like a classical album, with three records inside, lyrics, a poster of George looking … Continue reading Album Spotlight: George Harrison—All Things Must Pass
McCartney III, the latest do-it-yourself project from Paul, is noticeably different from the first two in the series, probably because of the circumstances under which each was conceived. McCartney was born from Paul’s depression at the Beatles’ breakup and from … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Paul McCartney—McCartney III
In which the circus comes to town Welcome to the first in a series of reviews focusing on the albums of Harry Nilsson. If you don’t know who Harry Nilsson is, well, you probably do. Just like some actors are … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Harry Nilsson – Pandemonium Shadow Show (1967)
Ram, Paul McCartney’s second solo album and his only record credited to Paul and Linda McCartney, has always been a polarizing work. When it was released in May 1971, critics pounced on it as a piece of lightweight garbage. With … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Paul and Linda McCartney—RAM
In today’s world where we hate all forms of physical media, it’s easy to forget that 26 years ago, used CD stores were popping up at such an alarming rate, that Garth Brooks took a break from cosplaying as Claire … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Gothic Rock [Cleopatra, 1993]
October 9th, 2020, would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday. His too-brief solo career included several fine albums, but the one for which I believe he’ll be remembered was his second, Imagine. Imagine followed on the heels of John’s best … Continue reading Album Spotlight: John Lennon—Imagine
Jane’s Addiction – Ritual de lo Habitual (1990) This album breaks my heart now; it feels so much like a path not taken. The popular nineties narrative is that Nirvana changed everything, but for those of us who were there, … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Jane’s Addiction, Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)
Some records are terrible from the first listen. Some take several hearings to assess. Very few are classics on the first time around. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is one of these. It’s a rock record which stands with the greats, such … Continue reading Album Review: Wilco—Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
For a review of the original album, see my post here: Album Spotlight: The Beatles—Abbey Road Abbey Road was the one Beatles album which needed no studio tinkering to improve its sound quality. It was the only album in their catalog … Continue reading Didn’t Anybody See?: Abbey Road Super Deluxe Edition Review
Yoko Ono has always incited strong opinions. Put an album of hers on for friends, and most will turn white and flee the room before a minute has gone by. Many Beatles fans hate her with a gag reflex: she … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Yoko Ono—Plastic Ono Band
If you’re related to a famous performer and have aspirations of your own, it must be extremely difficult. If you’re related to one of the most famous performers in the world–if you’re Paul McCartney’s younger brother, for instance–it must be … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Mike McGear—*McGear
Of all of George Harrison’s solo albums, I think this eponymous one from 1979 is perhaps his best. His first solo record, All Things Must Pass, is broader in scope but is encumbered by Phil Spector’s everything-and-the-kitchen-sink production and a … Continue reading Album Spotlight: George Harrison—George Harrison
These days, No Limit Records largely exists as a curiosity, largely kept alive in the memory thanks to their record covers made by Pen & Pixel. Those covers are the deserving stuff of derision. Gaudy, ugly, over-designed and all unintentionally … Continue reading Album Spotlight: Silkk the Shocker – Charge It 2 da Game
In 1994, Apple Records and the BBC combined forces to unlock the gates of unreleased recordings being issued officially with the two CD release of Live at the BBC. These songs, recorded from 1963 to 1965, owe their existence to … Continue reading Album Spotlight: The Beatles—The BBC Recordings
Although EMI and Capitol wanted to release a live recording of the Beatles for years, many obstacles prevented it. At the time the band was touring, the equipment wasn’t advanced enough to overcome the noise levels created by the screams … Continue reading Album Spotlight: The Beatles—[Live] At The Hollywood Bowl
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