The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; June

        June

2026 Album Challenge (Home Link)

The Replacements - Dead Man's Pop

Format: Vinyl

Stereo

Notes: This is the "Matt Wallace" mix of the Don't Tell A Soul album and just like "Let It Bleed", this is now my definitive version of the album. It's stripped away some of the layered guitars which really dated the record and brought Westerberg's vocals more to the front. The little nuances, like the banjo on "Talent Show" have been unearthed and the overall feel of the record is more in line with what one would expect of this band. "I'll Be You" and "Achin' To Be" are big hits in an alternate universe. 

The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; May

       May

2026 Album Challenge (Home Link)

Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman

Format: Apple Music

Fiio FT-1 Headphones

Notes: A great, but dated, album from one of country/pop music's finest voices and guitar players. Campbell was one of the kings of the 70's and this record is a showcase of his talents. Favorites are the title track, along with "The Straight Life" and "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife". 

The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; APRIL

April

2026 Album Challenge (Home Link)

Johnny Blue Skies (aka Sturgill Simpson) - Passage du Desir

Format: CD

Stereo

Notes: An easy listening album. A definite departure from "Sound & Fury" with a laid back vibe that sort of reminisces on past love and embracing the present. A lot of Gordon Lightfoot and Jimmy Buffett weaved in. 

The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; March

 March

2026 Album Challenge (Home Link)

Johnny Blue Skies (aka Sturgill Simpson) - Mutiny After Midnight

Format: YouTube

Stereo

Notes: I was expecting to listen to this in March, but not as early as the 2nd. The release date is officially the 13th, but Sturgill did his usual wildcard thing and put it up on YouTube for the masses. It's an easy score for Simpson (or Johnny Blue Skies by his alter ego) with me as I haven't heard anything yet from him that I didn't care for. This one is a kind of a mix of Sound & Fury and his last record Passage du Desir. You will find the occasional "country" note here and there but this is mostly a mixture of pop, soul, and disco. Not quite a jam record, but it does take the opportunity at times to cut loose. On my first couple of listens, I really like it. Early favorites are "Don't Let Go", "Stay On That" and "Ain't That a Bitch". 

The 2026 3 Albums A Week Challenge; FEBRUARY

 FEBRUARY

2026 Album Challenge (Home Link)

The Eagles - One of These Nights

Format: CD

Fiio FT-1 Headphones

Notes: Probably my favorite Eagles album, with apologies to the great Hotel California. They were transitioning on the spectrum from near country to near pop. Nominated for four Grammy's and winning one, it was another in a succession of top notch albums. Favorite tracks are "Lyin' Eyes" and "After The Thrill Is Gone".