New Reviews for December 1, 2023

I/OEditor's choice
Real World Records
The art rocker returns with his first album of original material in 20 years: a probing collection filled with empathetic new beginnings.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine
A Portrait of the Queen 1970-1974Editor's choice
BMG Rights Management
R&B
A sharply presented box containing expanded editions of the Queen of Soul's first five '70s studio albums.
- Andy Kellman
Violent Femmes [40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition]Editor's choice
Craft Recordings / Craft Records
The 40th anniversary edition of this groundbreaking alt-rock classic includes early demos and live recordings from concerts in 1981 and 1983.
- Fred Thomas
AlbionEditor's choice
Bella Union
A canny blend of folk-influenced songs with post-punk-informed arrangements on this album from former Midlake singer Tim Smith.
- Mark Deming
Salvage Enterprise
Good Records Recordings
Warm folk harmonies and uplifting emotions mark the psych pop group's eighth album.
- Matt Collar
2 Ruff, Vol. 1
Casablanca / EMI / EMI Records
A brief but potent mixtape of drum'n'bass dancefloor heaters, with featured guests including Flowdan, Stefflon Don, and Clementine Douglas.
- Paul Simpson
Never a Dull Moment! Live from Coast to Coast 1966-1967Editor's choice
Resonance
These unreleased live instrumental performances by Les McCann's early trios are a welcome, wonderful-sounding surprise.
- Thom Jurek
Czartificial Intelligence
Silver Age
Rap
The comic-themed rap supergroup continue their saga, mixing playful bravado with moments of nostalgic reflection.
- Paul Simpson
Band on the Run
AllMusic Staff Pick - December 5, 2023
December 5, 1973
Released 50 years ago today, Band on the Run is generally considered to be Paul McCartney's strongest solo effort. The album was also his most commercially successful, selling well and spawning two hit singles, the multi-part pop suite of the title track and the roaring rocker "Jet." Though it lacks the emotional resonance of contemporaneous releases by John Lennon and George Harrison, McCartney's infallible instinct for popcraft overflows on this excellent release.
- Al Campbell