Imaginary Albums #12: Big Star

Here's another one I shared way back, but briefly:

Big Star's 1972 debut #1 Record has long been one of my absolute favorite albums, Alex Chilton and Chris Bell helming an incredible, timeless record full of impeccably produced power pop, ranging from crunchy rockers to gorgeous ballads. Sadly, the line-up didn't survive the travails which prevented the record from seeing the commercial glory it deserved, with Bell departing before recording a follow-up.

Radio Cosmos imagines a proper second Big Star LP, merging 1974's Bell-less Radio City with a few tracks from Bell's posthumous solo album I Am The Cosmos (recorded prior to his 1978 passing but not released until 1992). 

It's not perfect--the sonic differences between the two albums keep it from feeling like a truly unified whole--but still an enjoyable look at what could (should) have been.