Album Retrospectives

Cryptic Rock devotes time to reflect on legendary music albums from yesteryear. For special anniversaries we provide intelligent articles with historical perspective about the importance of your favorite albums.

The Sundays – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Turns 30

ALfie Vera MellaALfie Vera MellaJanuary 15, 2020

Long before the emergence of female-fronted bands whose music may be classified as Indie/Jangle Pop the likes of The Cranberries (“Linger”), The Cardigans (“Rise & Shine”), and Camera Obscura (“Eighties Fan”), there was already the far softer and more fragile sound of The Sundays. Formed ... Read More

Rush – 40 Years Of Permanent Waves

ALfie Vera MellaALfie Vera MellaJanuary 14, 2020

Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Rush’s seventh album serves also as a fitting and timely tribute to the Canadian band’s drummer and chief lyricist, who succumbed to cancer on January 7, 2020. Formed in 1968, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Rush consisted of Geddy Lee (bass, ... Read More

Echo & the Bunnymen – Ocean Rain 35 Years Later

ALfie Vera MellaALfie Vera MellaDecember 26, 2019

The fourth remains their most celebrated album primarily because it was Echo & the Bunnymen at the peak of their sonic glory, when the band that was formed in 1978, in Liverpool, England, still consisted of Ian McCulloch (vocals, guitar), Will Sergeant (lead guitar), Les ... Read More

Fiction Factory – Throw the Warped Wheel Out 35 Years Later

ALfie Vera MellaALfie Vera MellaDecember 16, 2019

In the New Wave scene, Fiction Factory’s “(Feels Like) Heaven” remains one of the most distinguishable and loved among the genre’s enthusiasts. Unfortunately, its massive popularity eclipsed the band’s other equally lovable tracks, even making many journalists and casual listeners dismiss Fiction Factory as a ... Read More

Modern English – Ricochet Days 35 years Later

ALfie Vera MellaALfie Vera MellaDecember 16, 2019

As the pioneering, 1979-forming, England-originating band Modern English progressed, its music became more instrumentally intricate and Classical-inspired. To classify the band at that point as New Romantic was very befitting. The third album, Ricochet Days, may be regarded as the peak of the band’s musicality—a ... Read More

My Chemical Romance Celebrate 15 Years of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

Nicole RosenthalNicole RosenthalJune 8, 2019

While many consider My Chemical Romance to be the definitive Emo outfit of the early 2000s, this label is certainly a misnomer. With humble beginnings as New Jersey Punk Rockers in the post-9-11 dystopia, My Chemical Romance have effectively bent genres and manipulated key elements ... Read More

Album Retrospectives

The Sundays – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Turns 30

Rush – 40 Years Of Permanent Waves

Echo & the Bunnymen – Ocean Rain 35 Years Later

Fiction Factory – Throw the Warped Wheel Out 35 Years Later

Modern English – Ricochet Days 35 years Later

My Chemical Romance Celebrate 15 Years of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

The Sundays – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic Turns 30

Rush – 40 Years Of Permanent Waves

Echo & the Bunnymen – Ocean Rain 35 Years Later

Fiction Factory – Throw the Warped Wheel Out 35 Years Later

Modern English – Ricochet Days 35 years Later

My Chemical Romance Celebrate 15 Years of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge

This Week In Horror Movie History – Ravenous (1999)

This Week In Horror Movie History – Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh (1995)

This Week In Horror Movie History – The Stepford Wives (1975)

Developing Artist Showcase – Blythe Bonnie

Developing Artist Showcase – Empty Streets

Developing Artist Showcase – Crystal Joilena

Interview – Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol

Interview – Shelley Fabares

Interview – Jessica Belkin

Marvin Gaye – In The Groove (Limited Edition Vinyl Review)

Caligula: The Ultimate Cut (4K Ultra HD Review)

The Temptations – Sky’s The Limit (Limited Edition Vinyl Review)