Wendy Newman

Something about the 1975 Loss Leader, I Didn’t Know They Still Made Records Like This, seems a little different… yet the same. Starting with the album cover, whose design reeks of some long-ignored graphics designer and photographer teaming up to hatch a surefire scheme to meet hot cover models. Then there’s the curious song selection. It’s always great to hear Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” but the album it came from was released five years prior, in 1970, while Randy Newman’s “Mama Told Me Not To Come” comes from his already ancient ’71 live album. Joni Mitchell’s “Carey” is from her 1971 LP, Blue, and Arlo Guthrie’s cover of “City Of New Orleans” was first issued in 1972. Now… these are all great songs, and considered ‘should-owns’ for any collection, but on the surface it looks like Warners didn’t have any new music to promote. Perhaps they were just pushing the back catalog, or maybe it’s as the cover suggests… they don’t make records like this anymore, and here are some of them again to remind you. The uncredited liner notes offer no reasoning, and are more historical than revelatory. So, I Didn’t Know They Still Made Records Like This ends up being an oddball entry in the ongoing series… one that wasn’t even advertised all that much (if at all) via inner sleeves, either. All the while stylistically seeming like an earlier edition in the series, thanks to the older material. Something I didn’t know (or just refused to remember) is that Leo Sayer’s career was kickstarted when The Who’s Roger Daltry specifically picked him to write songs for his debut solo album. Now you know who to blame.

Blake Mills returns with his first solo record since 2020’s Mutable Set. Co-produced by Blake and experimental artist Chris Weisman, this release highlights Mills' impeccable songwriting and unique voice on guitar as well as many other instruments. Key musicians on this release include Wendy Melvoin, Sam Gendel, Meg Duffy (Hand Habits), and a co-write with Cass McCombs.

The Ultimate Collection: Rock Anthems brings together 5CDs containing 100 tracks that cover the entire spectrum of rock music; from the late 60s psychedelic pop rock of Traffics through to the contemporary gothic metal of A Pale Horse Named Death’s “Devil In The Closet”. This incredible compilation contains the cream of rock bands from all over the world including Status Quo, The Scorpions, Nazareth and of course Extreme. There is something for everyone in this veritable collection; a timeless and essential rock compilation for fans of all ages containing heavy, classic, thrash metal, acoustic and many more rock genres. Rock Anthems really is a celebration of the many different styles of great guitar music. Get your leather jacket on, crank up the volume! This is The Ultimate Collection: Rock Anthems.