RATE-A-RECORD

Classic Rock is Alive & Well

The latest classic rock albums are brilliant

Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay

I don’t think I listen to any artists younger than 60 these days. Except for that young kid Jesse Malin, who’s 59.

Classic rock is definitely alive and well in my corner of London, albeit with a touch of arthritis and occasional short-term memory loss. Luckily, the hearing is still on top form.

None of that has stopped some of the greatest classic rock artists from releasing new material in the past year or so. So, for this long-overdue edition of Rate-A-Record, we’re going to hear from four of the classic rock greats. And yep, I include certain areas of country rock within my classification of classic rock too.

It’s my publication, so what I say goes.

Rate each song using the Rate-A-Record scoring system of 35 (arthritic knees playing up) to 98 (the new hip joints are great).

To Be A Woman by Melissa Etheridge

Melissa is a mere classic rock youngster at just 64, and I swear her voice is even better than on her last album seven years ago.

Her 2026 album Rise has been on heavy rotation in the Markham household since it came out in January of this year, and on my earbuds/Spotify when I’m forced to venture out. Here’s a brilliant track from the album, proving that musicians mature with age.

What’s your Rate-A-Record score between 35 and 98?

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Days We Left Behind by Paul McCartney

I remember when Paul McCartney turned 30, my dad complained about him. “Who does he think he is at his age, making pop songs? Ridiculous”

Well, Dad, if you’re looking down, you’ll see he’s now 83 and still touring and writing fantastic music. The voice isn’t what it was, but it’s still better than mine. Or my Dad’s, who I seriously doubt made the grade for the heavenly choir.

Here’s the single from Macca’s forthcoming album that sounds very much like he’s looking back on his life and facing mortality.

Nonsense. Paul McCartney will live forever.

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Night Surfing by Elliot Murphy

I found Elliot Murphy through his Everything I Do duet with Bruce Springsteen, and I’m very pleased I did.

Murphy is an interesting person who has not only made a lot of great rock albums since 1973, but also went back to college in 1988 to gain a Bachelor's degree, is a writer who has written for major publications like Rolling Stone, and is an author and an actor.

And in 2025, he released his 30th studio album, Infinity, which has also had some heavy rotation in my eardrums. Here’s Night Surfing from Infinity for you to rate between 35 and 98.

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World’s Gone Wrong by Lucinda Williams

Lucinda’s 2026 album, World’s Gone Wrong, has pretty much dominated my turntable, knocking off Melissa, ever since it arrived by mail order from my favourite online music store. I got it in light blue vinyl, which adds to the attraction for some reason.

I filled a long-term glaring gap in my collection at the same time by buying Car Wheels On A Gravel Road. This one came in a delightful light yellow vinyl and is World’s Gone Wrong's only major rival for turntable time at this moment.

The title track is absolutely brilliant. Classic Rock and Lucinda rool, OK?

You’re allowed to use the Springsteen Rate-A-Record extension scoring system for Lucinda Williams, which takes the top score available from 98 to 9,998. I suggest 9,998 for this one, especially with Doug Pettibone’s classic rock guitar sound.

Listen and love. I left the best song till last.

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Classic Rock rools

What are your scores on the doors for these four recent classic rock classics? Give a score from 35 (hearing aid batteries flat) to 98 (The Viagra effect), remembering you can use the Springsteen extension scoring system for Lucinda.

Maybe you are listening to some other recent Classic Rock albums? Let me know in the comments.