The Road to Ruin cover

The Road to Ruin

Released

The same year as Stormbringer!, this one recorded in London, rather than New York, and it’s like a different planet. 1970 has become 1974 and it’s smooth sailing, oddly more American sounding than its predecessor. It’s calm but sort of threatening in its mastery, and Beverley sounds remarkably strong and bright here. Hard to believe she has recorded only two albums in the forty years since. “Here I Am Now” sounds more than a little like Patti Smith years before she hits the studio. “Sorry To Be So Long” is kinda shagadelic and “Auntie Aviator” could be the menacing theme for an unexpectedly affecting Kelly Reichardt movie about a small town pilot.

Sasha Frere-Jones

Recommended by

Suggestions
Folksongs & Ballads cover

Folksongs & Ballads

Tia Blake and her Folk-Group
The Basement Tapes cover

The Basement Tapes

Bob Dylan, The Band
Songs For Drella cover

Songs For Drella

John Cale, Lou Reed
Unhalfbricking cover

Unhalfbricking

Fairport Convention
Unchained cover

Unchained

Johnny Cash
Toast cover

Toast

Crazy Horse, Neil Young
Liege & Lief cover

Liege & Lief

Fairport Convention