Goldmine magazine, March 2011 (Issue #797) is on your newsstand now!

The theme of the issue: What makes a five-star album: the songwriting, the historical impact of the record, the band itself? Goldmine mulled all those points, and more, to present its first class of five-star albums for your consideration. Did your favorites make the cut? Find out which artists’ albums made our list, and why. And sticking with the five-star theme, record collecting expert Stephen M.H. Braitman explores why five-star albums don’t always become five-star collectibles.

Also in the March 2011 issue of Goldmine (available now at Barnes and Noble or Borders — or, better yet, subscribe now)

• The multi-talented Todd Rundgren talks about his extraordinary career;

• Guitarist Peter Buck gives us the scoop on R.E.M.’s new record, plus gives us a peek at his massive record collection;

• Keyboardist Bobby Whitlock goes back to the days of “Layla,” when Derek and the Dominos was a musical phenomenon (albeit a short-lived one);

• Ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett shares the records that changed his life;

• Find out why “Texas” Alexander’s life reads like something out of a blues song;

• Rediscover Johnny Maestro and The Crests (and some long-lost Coed gems, to boot);

• Check out reviews for CDs and DVDs for Johnny Cash, Gregg Allman, Elvis Presley, John Lennon and more;

• Learn everything you always wanted to know — buy may have been afraid to ask — about 78s;

• Meet fellow Goldmine reader Jimmi Retzler;

• Discover a Dick Clark flexidisc rarity

• Find out which jazz records have been hitting all the right notes with online record buyers;

• Say farewell to several high-profile musicians, including former Thin Lizzy guitarist Gary Moore, performer Doc Williams, composer John Barry, drummer and comedian Charlie Callas, Marvelettes co-founder Gladys Horton, composer Milton Babbitt, country musician Charlie Louvin, Broadcast lead singer Trish Keenan, rock promoter Don Kirshner, big-band singer Margaret Whiting, folk singer Debbie Friedman, drummer Alex Kirst, TV personality David Nelson; flamenco singer Enrique Morente and guitar craftsman Lorenzo Pimentel.