This week I look at new releases by pop-superstar-turned-indie-folkster Taylor Swift, singer songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, and chamber-pop artist Perfume Genius. Coincidentally, veteran drummer Jim Keltner plays on two of these releases. All three of these records are currently placed among…
If you’re not from Australasia, chances are that you’re not familiar with Dave Dobbyn – he’s ubiquitous in New Zealand, but obscure everywhere else. When a panel selected the New Zealand’s best ever popular songs in 2001, five Dave Dobbyn…
Last week’s debut quiz was pretty straightforward, and no-one got more than one question wrong. Bruce from Vinyl Connection powered through the quiz the fastest – comfortable in the 1970s (and with compatriot Olivia Newton-John included), Bruce completed the quiz…
Emerging in the late 1960s from Los Angeles, Spirit were an odd band even by the standards of an era when rock was in its infancy and genre rules hadn’t yet ossified. Spirit’s members ranged in age from 16 to…
Congratulation to Tony and Sheik Yerbouti, who both scored 100% in last week’s thyme and Gnarls Barkley quiz, with SY scoring the slightly faster time. This week we’re looking at debut albums. I enjoyed this quiz because it’s a mix…
Three recent releases for you to peruse. Canadian Owen Pallett’s new album ventures into Nick Drake territory with its acoustic guitar picking and strings. Paramore’s Hayley Williams first solo album is poppy, yet adult and restrained. London’s King Krule continues…
Congratulations to jprobichaud who scored the fastest recorded time in last week’s nonsense quiz, while Geoff and Max also scored 100%. This week we’re looking at missing members of sets. It was more reliant on culinary knowledge than I expected,…
Many significant UK rock acts from the 1960s and early 1970s were deeply rooted in the blues. Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac were among many young bands steeped in blues tradition. Queen took…
Congratulations to everyone who scored full marks in last week’s quiz, but especially to Tony who had the fastest time. This week we’re looking at songs with nonsense titles. I only knew about half, but using the process of…
HAIM’s first two records were fun. The trio of L.A. sisters had great harmonies, their eclectic approach recalled both Fleetwood Mac and 90s R&B, while Danielle Haim’s bluesy guitar added some edge. Their third record, however, is the biggest leap…
