Editors' Choice for December 2022

Two nights and four shows (professionally) recorded during the band's early rock & roll peak, stripped of studio gloss and full of rambunctious joy.

— Tim Sendra

In commemoration of the trumpeter's 90th birthday, this impeccably recorded, unissued concert finally sees release after nearly 50 years.

— Thom Jurek

Galcher Lustwerk's game-changing 2013 all-originals mix, mastered and released in unmixed album format for the first time.

— Paul Simpson

1986 one-off from this Japanese band walks a similar path as Galaxie 500, Felt, Yo La Tengo, and other post-Velvets indie rock of its time.

— Fred Thomas

A major career step for MacMillan, who has produced a Christmas oratorio worthy enough to stand with those in the great tradition.

— James Manheim

Assured, precisely arranged, and as brilliantly innocent as ever, the band create another tiny masterpiece of indie psych-folk.

— Tim Sendra

Neil Young's most popular album polishes his idiosyncrasies into something accessible without sacrificing their substance.

— Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The British guitarist and composer takes a long look into an unhappy future with music of rare, challenging beauty.

— Mark Deming

Third album from the Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter is a creative breakthrough in articulate, pastoral indie folk.

— Mark Deming

Stunning, serenely melancholy tribute to the solo work of Colin Blunstone that strips away the strings in favor of subdued arrangements.

— Tim Sendra

The inclusion of two studio albums plus a live set and many rarities makes for a compelling look at a transitional year for the band.

— Tim Sendra

Compilation highlighting the very different approaches taken by this '70s psychedelic spiritual sect on their independently recorded and released music.

— Fred Thomas

First compilation to track the great composer/producer's work for Epic from 1976 to 1981, also including unissued bonus material.

— Thom Jurek

The Canadian trio's gutsy and cathartic fifth (and perhaps final) album.

— Matt Collar