Byrds

Seminal '80s country-punks repackaged

Two early'60s staples from original maiden of folk

As solo outlet for Carl Johns—leader of Wisconsin countryites NoahJohn—Charlemagne allows him the freedom to break the slow-shuffle shackles and explore pop. The headlong skip of "Dawn Upon" is typical, its happy quick-step framing a tale of a man tormented by moonlit visions of a lost love.

Testaments to a tragically obscure talent whose genius flared briefly but brightly

Dazzling selection from back catalogue of the "cosmic" country visionary who changed the face of American music

Mixed bag from McGuinn's immediate post-Byrds career

Imagine if the Doors, The Byrds or Love had, long after their late '60s heyday, reconvened to record a quartet of brilliant albums, the first a double LP of classic, even epic, proportions issued just months before punk broke.

Spinal Tap are back. Sort of

Important country-rock harbinger from Alabama siblings Vern and Rex

Long-awaited follow-up to H.M.S. Fable delivers