The Cry of Love
Artist: Jimi Hendrix
Community Score: 10.00

This was the first of the posthumous releases in the Jimi Hendrix catalog and probably the best as it collected most of the studio tracks that were either completed or very near completion before Hendrix died. Some of these tunes, like "Angel" and "Ezy Rider," have become well-known pieces in the Hendrix canon, but they sit alongside... Read More

Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival - SPLIT
Artist: Jimi Hendrix

Contrary to the title listed here, this album is actually the classic Monterey festival recording featuring one side of Otis Redding and one side of Jimi Hendrix. Rhino has recently issued a wonderful boxed set covering the entire event, which is certainly worth having as well, but this was the album that made stars out of both Hendrix and... Read More

Too Much Too Soon
Artist: New York Dolls
Community Score: 9.75

After the clatter of their first album failed to bring them a wide audience, the New York Dolls hired producer Shadow Morton to work on the follow-up, Too Much Too Soon. The differences are apparent right from the start of the ferocious opener, "Babylon." Not only are the guitars cleaner, but the mix is dominated by waves of studio sound effects... Read More

Mott
Artist: Mott the Hoople
Community Score: 7.25

All the Young Dudes actually brought Mott the Hoople success, but you wouldn't know that from its sequel, Mott. Ian Hunter's songs are a set of road tales fraught with exhaustion, disillusionment, and dashed dreams, all told with a wry sense of humor so evident on Mott's earlier work. So, this is no ordinary road album, where a band whines about... Read More

All the Young Dudes
Artist: Mott the Hoople
Community Score: 6.00

Just at the moment they were calling it a day, David Bowie swooped in and convinced them to stick around. Bowie spearheaded an image makeover, urging them to glam themselves up. He gave them a surefire hit with "All the Young Dudes," had them cover his idol's "Sweet Jane," and produced All the Young Dudes, the album that was designed to make... Read More

Brain Capers
Artist: Mott the Hoople
Community Score: 5.00

Re-teaming with producer Guy Stevens, Mott the Hoople delivered the great forgotten British hard rock album with their fourth album, Brain Capers. Stevens was a legendary rock & roll wild man and he kept Mott careening through their performances; they sound harder than ever, even dangerous at times. This fortunately coincided with Ian Hunter's... Read More

Janis Joplin's Greatest Hits - BONUS TRACKS
Artist: Janis Joplin
Community Score: 4.50

A solid, if skimpy, ten-track best-of that gathers the most important songs from Janis Joplin's solo career, as well as her stint with Big Brother & the Holding Company. The compilation 18 Essential Songs offers a wider selection, but does not include the original version of "Me and Bobby McGee," which makes Greatest Hits the better purchase for... Read More

The Best of the James Gang - MCA
Artist: The James Gang

A good collection of their innovative hard rock features "Walk Away" and "Funk 49." ~ Dan Heilman, All Music Guide Read More

15 Greatest Hits
Artist: The James Gang
Thirds
Artist: The James Gang
Community Score: 10.00

The James Gang Rides Again set the stage for the group's third album to propel them to Top Ten, headliner status, but that didn't happen. The band was on its last legs, rent by dissension as Walsh became the focus of attention, and the appropriately titled Thirds reflected the conflict. Among the nine original songs, four were contributed by... Read More

Pearl
Artist: Janis Joplin & The Full Tilt Boogie Band
Community Score: 9.58

Janis Joplin's second masterpiece (after Cheap Thrills), Pearl was designed as a showcase for her powerhouse vocals, stripping down the arrangements that had often previously cluttered her music or threatened to drown her out. Thanks also to a more consistent set of songs, the results are magnificent -- given room to breathe, Joplin's trademark... Read More