Rock

The Traveling Wilburys comprises Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Jeff Lynn, and Tom Petty. Rock critic Ken Tucker says their first album, Volume 1, is a true collaboration. Unlike the self-indulgent supergroups of the 1960s and 1970s, he says the Wilburys' music is an unexpected pleasure.

Hal Wilner produced the compilation album Stay Awake, which features contemporary artists performing songs from Disney movies. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it's uneven but has unexpected moments of beauty and inspiration. It's more of a baby-boom curiosity than an essential recording.

John Lennon's life and legacy are revisited in a new film and biography. Rock critic Ken Tucker says Albert Goldman's book The Lives of John Lennon is an inelegant hatchet job that portrays the musician in a harsh light; the film Imagine, on the other hand, is little more than treacly hagiography.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by Etta James, Willie Dixon and Toots. Tucker says it's refreshing that each of these artists continues to record and perform, even after their popularity has peaked.

In his latest album, Randy Newman breaks from his past work, mostly abandoning irony to explore autobiographical themes. Rock critic Ken Tucker says the effort is both refreshing and disappointing.

In an age when musical distinctiveness is paramount, the band Was (Not Was) switches genres -- and lead vocalists -- from song to song. Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews their new album, What Up, Dog, which features guest singers Elvis Costello and Frank Sinatra Jr.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that the black rock band Fishbone takes African American stereotypes and stretches them until they break. The band deserves more attention for their insightful social commentary and screaming live shows.

Rock critic Ken Tucker remembers the songs that defined the season. Standouts for him were Steve Winwood's beer commercial anthem, Public Enemy's new album, and an edgy ballad by Crowded House.

The punk band X returns with a live album recorded at the legendary L.A. rock venue. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it's a fitting testament to the group's decade-long career -- which, rumor has it, may soon come to an end.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says that the talented musician often subverts his often good music to make dumb, dirty jokes. Whether you think Zappa is a genius or a jerk will determine whether you'll invest in Rykodisc's new collections of his live performances.