To have something important to say and to know how to say it – that’s the art of succeeding with your debut album. Some debut albums have such an important message that they change the world forever. Some of them are just incredibly well executed, burning with the energy of a new artist who finally… Read more
Photo Credit: Press British-Australian pop singer and actress Olivia Newton-John died on August 8 at age seventy-three, after a long and recurring battle with breast cancer. Though less in the public eye for the past few decades, the singer made a huge impact during the ’70s and early ’80s: she became one of the few… Read more
Photo Credit: Vulture Culture Photography Sometimes a band’s sound gets inextricably linked to where they hail from, whether they wish it to or not. X made the soundtrack for any down-and-outer in Los Angeles county. Outkast is Atlanta to the core, and despite the fake English accent, the Ramones always sounded like you just crossed… Read more
The concept album hit its stride after the 1960s when large, well-funded bands had the cash and carte blanche to explore, at length, any idea that crossed their addled brains. Whether a bloated 1970s ineffectual gesture or a coherent and brilliant bit of storytelling, the concept album has fans and detractors in equal measure. Here… Read more
Changing the lead singer of a band can be devastating for the group, but it could also be the start of a new journey. Here are ten examples of vocalist replacements – some of them brilliant, some terrible, some surprising, some predictable, some historically significant, and some of them so seamless that nobody would have… Read more
The Top Ten Best Music Videos of 2022 (So Far) The last few years have given us some fantastic music videos, with Tyler, the Creator’s CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST-sequences, and FKA twigs’ “cellophane” in fresh memory. 2022 has been less fruitful, but I’ve been digging deep down in YouTube’s algorithms in search of… Read more
The Top Ten Best Songs of 2022 (So Far) Though the first half of 2022 has seen something of a dearth of mainstream musicians, this space has thankfully been filled by a number of highly talented alternative, indie stars. From the masterful indie-rock confessionals of Soccer Mommy to the affecting balladry of Regina Spektor, Q1… Read more
Science has taught us that the only absolute constant in the universe is changing, but some change is more drastic than others. Below is a list of 10 bands and artists whose sounds evolved massively. #10. Maroon 5 Photo Credit: Travis Schneider Formed in Los Angeles as a post-grunge act called Kara’s Flowers, Maroon 5… Read more
Photo Credit: Chuck Berry via Universal Attractions (artist management) “Hail, hail rock and roll // Deliver me from the days of old.” – Charles Edward Anderson Berry Rock and roll always had a problem orienting itself from the beginning. It is the musical product of a dozen styles of American music blended through time and… Read more
Photo Credit: CBS.com Have you ever heard the song “McFlurry” by the Sleaford Mods? Banging track. The outro consists of vocalist Jason Williamson mockingly chanting “I’ve got a Brit Award, I’ve got a Brit Award // No Surrender, No Surrender // Animal, five-day bender,” imitating the attitudes of overblown rock stars celebrating dubious awards in a played… Read more