AllMusic Staff Pick:
Samson
Shock Tactics
Samson’s best album, 1981’s Shock Tactics, was the last to feature singer Bruce Dickinson (then known simply as Bruce Bruce). The band’s songwriting had improved and was comparable to other up-and-coming British heavy metal bands at the time, such as Saxon, Diamond Head, and Iron Maiden.
- Greg Prato
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Shuggie Otis
Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis’ fourth and last album Inspiration Information, released 50 years ago today, exists out of time – a record that was of its time, but didn’t belong of it; a record that was idiosyncratic but not necessarily visionary. It was psychedelic soul that was released far too late to be part of any zeitgeist and it was buried at the time.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Ella Fitzgerald
Mack the Knife: Ella in Berlin
Ella Fitzgerald was at the peak of her form during her 1960 tour of Europe. Her Berlin concert is most remembered for her hilariously inventive version of “Mack the Knife,” during which she forgot the words and substituted ones of her own that somehow fit, amazing herself in the process.
- Scott Yanow
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Albert Collins
Ice Pickin’
Ice Pickin’ is the album that brought Albert Collins directly back into the limelight, and for good reason, too. The record captures the wild, unrestrained side of his playing that had never quite been documented before.
- Thom Owens
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Charles Mingus
Oh Yeah
Mingus had always had a bizarre sense of humor, as expressed in some of his song titles and arranging devices, but Oh Yeah often gets downright warped. That’s partly because Mingus is freed up to vocalize more often, but it’s also due to the presence of mad genius Roland Kirk whose chemistry with Mingus is fantastically explosive.
- Steve Huey
AllMusic Staff Pick:
King Crimson
Red
Red, released 50 years ago today, became Robert Fripp’s last thoughts on this version of the band, a bit noiser overall but with some surprising sounds featured, mostly out of the group’s past – thus providing a glimpse of what the 1972-era King Crimson might’ve sounded like handling the later group’s repertory.
- Bruce Eder
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Bob Newhart
Something Like This… The Bob Newhart Anthology
Bob Newhart’s records remain fresh because they were elegantly written, easily delivered, perfectly formed sketch comedy, the kind of routines that could appeal to all audiences, yet still contained twists and asides that proved how hip and clever Newhart was.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
AllMusic Staff Pick:
The Who
Odds & Sods
Odds & Sods, released 50 years ago today, is a compilation of outtakes and rarities from the Who’s first decade. Setting your expectations at the appropriate level, however, you’ll find much of this worthwhile.
- Richie Unterberger
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Eve
Scorpion
When Eve debuted in 1999, she surprised many as one of the few female rappers capable of attaining both popularity and respect without having to take on a sleazy role or sacrifice any of her muscle. In fact, her muscle seemed to be what impressed the rap community most.
- Jason Birchmeier
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Dave Mason
Dave Mason
Using his touring band, which included keyboard player Mike Finnigan and guitarist Jim Krueger, Dave Mason turned in a strong pop/rock collection on his second, self-titled Columbia album, released 50 years ago today.
- William Ruhlmann
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Misfits
Walk Among Us
The Misfits’ 1982 debut full-length rapidly became a legendary effort of U.S. punk, the more so because it so willfully violated many rules which were already ironically straitjacketing the scene. Nearly every song on the album – 13 total, delivered in a light-speed 25 minutes – is a twisted classic, with the band’s trademark ‘50s/'60s melodies run through a punk/metal meatgrinder on full display.
- Ned Raggett
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Sonny Clark
My Conception
Though the bulk of this session features the marvelous trumpet/tenor tandem of Donald Byrd and Hank Mobley, it is drummer Art Blakey whose demonstrative presence is heard in full force. This album of contrasts, depth, and spirit showcases Clark’s dual concepts brilliantly, and is only a half step below his best.
- Michael G. Nastos
AllMusic Staff Pick:
The Velvet Teen
Cum Laude
The Velvet Teen manage to keep that nice pop sensibility that made them great in the first place while still continuing to develop their sound and their musical vision, something that often stumps other bands. Cum Laude is fun and emotional without being trite, challenging and intelligent without being difficult, progressive without being abstract.
- Marissa Brown
AllMusic Staff Pick:
The Dillinger Escape Plan
Calculating Infinity
Having enjoyed Dillinger’s bombastic, grindy punk debut mini-album, Calculating Infinity, released 25 years ago today, seems ten times more explosive and brilliant, as it spews forth anger and venomous misery in a way that is comparable only to spontaneous combustion.
- Jason Hundey
AllMusic Staff Pick:
Torche
Harmonicraft
Where Songs for Singles was a chance for them to work out the kinks and find their feet again, Harmonicraft finds Torche taking off at full speed with an album packed full of driving riffs and soaring melody that’s going to have an easy time convincing fans that the band hasn’t lost a step after losing a member.
- Gregory Heaney