It’s no accident that one of Costello’s sharpest, cruelest albums ends with a call to hold onto the hope that all may be put right again.
Read moreMarvin Gaye’s ‘Here, My Dear’ Turns 45 | Album Anniversary
In listening to ‘Here, My Dear’ 45 years later, Gaye’s sheer, unadulterated honesty cuts like a double-edged sword, alongside the odd splash of self-pity and sniveling wounded male ego.
Read moreIce Cube’s ‘Lethal Injection’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
As a capper to his impressive early-career run of solo albums, Ice Cube’s fourth studio affair succeeds in showing that his fervor still ran as hot as ever at the time of its release.
Read moreRedman’s ‘Doc’s Da Name 2000’ Turns 25 | Album Anniversary
It’s fitting that Redman achieved an increased level of success with his fourth album not by compromising his music, but by leveraging the same approach that he’d always taken.
Read moreMary J. Blige’s ‘What’s the 411? Remix’ Turns 30 | Album Anniversary
The remix compilation helped the young Blige remain a constant presence in radio rotation, until she took a comfortable seat atop R&B’s throne with her sophomore effort ‘My Life’ (1994).
Read moreThe Rolling Stones’ ‘Beggars Banquet’ Turns 55 | Album Anniversary
‘Beggars Banquet’ is a product of the time period during which it was recorded, but more than a half-century later, it still sounds timeless.
Read moreBrandy’s ‘Human’ Turns 15 | Album Anniversary
Possessed of both fearlessness and vulnerability in abundance, Brandy’s fifth studio affair remains one of Brandy’s finest efforts.
Read moreJames Brown’s ‘The Payback’ Turns 50 | Album Anniversary
‘The Payback’ is a contender for the best long player in Brown’s discography and one of the greatest funk albums of all time.
Read moreBritney Spears’ ‘Circus’ Turns 15 | Album Anniversary
Very much a seminal triumph within her discography, Spears’ sixth studio affair restored her inventive self-governance while maintaining affection for solid pop grooves.
Read moreThe Beatles’ ‘The Beatles’ (a.k.a. ‘The White Album’) Turns 55 | Album Anniversary
While it’s uneven and deranged, these are the qualities that make ‘The White Album’ the definitive Fab Four record of the streaming age.
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