Staff Picks for April 2025

A powerful statement of intent and a hugely cinematic amalgam of heavy metal subgenres, the stalwart Aussie unit's sixth studio long-player draws from old-school melodic headbangers like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, while maintaining some of the seismic post-hardcore crunch of mid-period offerings like Deep Blue and Atlas.
- James Monger

After slowly but surely building a fanbase around the world with albums like Razamanaz and Loud 'N' Proud, Nazareth finally hit the big time in 1975 with Hair of the Dog, released 50 years ago today. The title track sets the mood for this stark album of hard rock with its combination of relentless guitar riffs, a throbbing, cowbell-driven beat, and an angry vocal from Dan McCafferty that denounces a "heart-breaker, soul-shaker." The end result is a memorably ferocious rocker that has become a staple of hard rock radio stations.
- Donald A. Guarisco

On his eclectic reworking of Marvin Gaye's classic What's Going On, the saxman happily genre-hops between '70s soul (complete with wah-wah guitar), slow, and steady blues, straight-ahead jazz, and hip-hop. His most inspired moments by weave his trademark edgy alto with his lesser-known but still potent talents on EWI and flute.
- Jonathan Widran

Informally recorded between 1988-1990. this informal set is revelatory, particularly in the six improvisations here; the rest displays consummate communication and imagination.
- Thom Jurek