Red Angel Akai Tenshi by Yasuzo Masumura (1966)

By the Way is the eighth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. The album was released July 9, 2002 on Warner Bros. Records. It sold more than 286,000 copies in the first week, and peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 (their next album would peak at number one). Singles from the album included "By the Way," "The Zephyr Song," "Can't Stop," "Dosed" and "Universally Speaking." The lyrical subject matter vocalist Anthony Kiedis addresses in By the Way is a divergence from previous Chili Peppers albums, with Kiedis taking a more candid and reflective approach to his lyrics. By the Way was lauded by critics as a departure from the band's previous styles, and is recognized for the melodic and subdued emotions given by the Chili Peppers. Guitarist John Frusciante is credited with writing most of the album's melodies, bass lines and guitar progressions, therefore changing the direction of the recording dramatically: "his warm, understated guitar work and his doo-wop style vocal harmonies are king this time around." By the Way contained very little of the signature punk-funk fusion the band had become known for playing. Frusciante has stated that writing "By the Way [was] one of the happiest times in my life." The album went on to sell more than 8 million copies worldwide.

The spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd—especially their affection for Southern soul music—lives on in the Red Clay Strays. The Mobile, Alabama, band's 2022 debut, Moment of Truth displayed enough potential to bring on in-demand producer Dave Cobb for its follow-up, Made by These Moments; tracked in Cobb's Savannah, Georgia studio, the sound is carefully balanced and clear. The band's music is anchored by the soul-shouting vocals of Brandon Coleman, whose tight vibrato can take on a crying quality that adds pathos to these songs of pain, doubt and hope for redemption. In a power ballad like "No One Else Like Me," he describes himself and his mission: "I'm a broken writer, I'm a restless fighter, and I'm looking for a little hope/ I'm a shadowed thinker, I'm a one-eyed blinker at the end of his rope/ I'm a dead man walking, I'm a preacher talking about love and how to be free." Of course, this being Southern rock there's a bit of the devil in these boys.

Simply Red's second major hits collection not only celebrates their illustrious 25-year career but also marks the end of it, thanks to Mick Hucknall's announcement that he will henceforth only be working under his own name. The much more comprehensive 25 features all but two of the tracks included on 1996's Greatest Hits, plus several tracks from the commercially inconsistent last decade. Of course, it's the late-'80s and early-'90s material that made Simply Red, essentially a solo vehicle for Hucknall, a household name. The likes of "A New Flame," "Holding Back the Years," and debut hit "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" all showcase their signature blue-eyed soul sound, which has helped to sell over 50 million records worldwide.

Blood Red Angel are another band attempting to resurrect thrash metal. Their sound is a throwback to Slayer and Dark Angel. Now to some this may be a bad thing as reviewers tend to want the next big thing. Blood Red Angel are stinking heavy and aggressive.