Battle Lines
Artist: John Wetton

John Wetton's solo Battle Lines demonstrates the amount of musical knowledge he soaked up while performing with King Crimson, Asia, and U.K. The record is a melodic, ambitious set of progressive rock that never quite fulfills its intentions, yet it remains intriguing for fans of the genre. ~ Daevid Jehnzen, All Music Guide Read More

Live on the Test
Artist: Graham Parker
The Forbidden Songs of the Dying West
Artist: Jackie Leven

Over the years, so many great musical talents have allowed their demons to destroy them. From Charlie Parker to Hank Williams, Sr. to Kurt Cobain, you could write a book about all of the musicians or vocalists who were hell-bent for self-destruction. But there are also many artists who have successfully conquered their demons, and when Scottish... Read More

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential 70's Masters
Artist: Elvis Presley
Community Score: 6.33

Since From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential 60's Masters gave up the ghost of being a complete overview of Elvis Presley's '60s recordings, the compilers of the companion five-disc box set Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential 70's Masters -- the third and final installment in RCA's justifiably acclaimed Elvis box set reissue series --... Read More

All I Ever Need: The Kapp/MCA Anthology
Artist: Sonny & Cher

A single CD of the dozen or so key tracks from Sonny & Cher's second era of success (1971-74) on Kapp Records will probably be preferable to all but the biggest fans. What's more, even this set, which starts with the first failed Kapp singles ("Classified 1A," etc.) is missing five cuts available on the Cher greatest hits package, as well as... Read More

Recurring Dream: The Very Best of Crowded House
Artist: Crowded House
Community Score: 7.75

Recurring Dream is a 19-track collection which assembles most of the band's singles and adds three new studio tracks to entice fans -- "Not the Girl You Think You Are," "Instinct," and "Everything Is Good for You." As a career summary, the collection works fairly well, though the nonchronological sequencing makes for a slightly confusing listen.... Read More

Susanna Hoffs
Artist: Susanna Hoffs

Delivered five years after her botched solo debut, Susanna Hoffs' eponymous second album is a remarkably accomplished and catchy collection of mature jangle-pop, power-pop and ballads. Combining originals with well-chosen covers like the Lightning Seeds' "All I Want," the album is an infectious and engaging set of melodic pop that also happens... Read More

Johnny Rivers Rocks the Folk/Meanwhile Back at the Whisky A-Go-Go
Artist: Johnny Rivers

Johnny Rivers' two 1965 albums have been released together in a double-disc package. Though neither Meanwhile Back at the Whisky A Go Go or Rockin' the Folk were commercial disappointments, they weren't the singer's most popular records, either. Rivers' first album was also recorded live at the Whisky, so Meanwhile represents something of a... Read More