Summer is a-comin' in, and it's once again time for AMG's classical editors and writers to sort through the CDs they've reviewed over the past six months and to pick the best albums for their mid-year survey. Don't let these recent gems slip your notice!

Read the full article »

All hail the vaunted reissue label Light in the Attic for bringing yet another precious rare groove back into the light. Rodriguez's Cold Fact was one of the oddest records of the '60s, a document of inner-city bitterness delivered by an urban folkie with some of the baroque flair of Love and the stoned psychoanalytics of Skip Spence. Add in a mysterious disappearance by its artist (despite massive adulation by unlikely heroes in South Africa) and you've got yourself a great story.

Read the rest of this entry »

It used to be that a list of albums offered up in December or January could paint a definitive, or at least representative, picture of The Year in Music. While that annual list is still a great way to say goodbye to the past year’s music and hello to what is to come, nowadays so many new albums and reissues vie for listeners that even a list of the best music from the past six months can seem quaintly out of touch. For this list, we focused on just the standout albums from April, May and June – and even then, it took a while to whittle it down to a reasonable size. Here are the spring and summer releases you just might be listening to come fall and winter (and check out our list of great music from the first three months of 2008 while you’re at it).

Read the full article »