Rock’n’roll has always been about blurring gender lines: guys with long hair, dancing, and often singing in high pitches. That’s part of it’s weird attraction. As a kid, I spent a lot of time listening to my “big three”: Led Zeppelin, Rush, and The Police. The singers in each band sang in impossibly high registers. [...]
Nick Lowe – At My Age Nick Lowe’s been around (mostly England) since the 70′s, producing quasi-punk bands (The Pretenders), writing a few hit songs (Elvis Costello’s “What’s so funny (about peace, love, and understanding)”), and playing in bands. So, it seems almost like an afterthought that he would write and record a solo album. [...]
After a week of giving and grading exams, I decided to put myself through one: Rolling Stone’s Almost Impossible Rock & Roll Quiz. I failed (45%). Give it a try.
In 2003, I spent $260 on a brand new 10 GB iPod. After poor battery life and slipping processing health, it finally gave out after a short workout at the YMCA (last song “Here Comes My Baby” by Cat Stevens). For the past 4 years, I’ve seen successive generations of iPods parading in front of [...]
Hacktone Records has an interesting business strategy. They sign a few current artists and then scour the rock vaults for great music that either didn’t get released or was overlooked. Getting in the Christmas spirit, they put up a free sampler of their releases on their website. I downloaded most of these selections. One I [...]
I never set out to become a Tom Petty fan, but I am. Big time. This past year I’ve had a lot to be excited about: a new album (produced by Jeff Lynne), a tour, and a documentary (produced by Peter Bogdanovich). After a year of anticipation, Runnin’ Down a Dream came out. It is [...]
Two years ago, I was in NYC visiting a friend. She worked a few blocks away from Central Park and while she worked, I walked over. It was right before Thanksgiving and the perfect time to be there. As I looked at all the buildings bordering the Park, I couldn’t stop wondering, “Which one is [...]
I’ve been a distant fan of 90′s Britpop for few years now. I’m a decade short, but that’s fine. We’re all playing catch-up. Or, at least we should be (Have you heard Sam Cooke: Live at the Harlem Square Club? No? Get on it!). Mojave 3 is a band formed from the remnants of Slowdive, [...]
About a month ago, I was at one of my favorite record stores and came across the new Josh Ritter album. It was priced “$9″ and came with an extra CD. I wasn’t really in a Josh Ritter mood, but the price seemed too good to set it down. So I bought it. Once I [...]
Like Ken, I spent $16 on music this week. But, unlike Ken, I got only one album out of the deal, Bruce Springsteen’s new one, Magic. I really like the album cover, easily his best since Born to Run. Bruce Springsteen is to the white T-shirt as John Fogerty is to the flannel. Once you [...]
