When Lana Del Rey emerged with the virally successful single ‘Video Games’ in 2011, she wasn’t someone who I had pegged for a long career. ‘Video Games’ had a unique atmosphere, a cinematic ballad with nostalgic Hollywood glamour, but it…
Thanks to everyone who indulged me by participating in my piano clips challenge. The scoring was a little nebulous, but it looks like Rich Kamerman burnt his fuse out there alone for the highest score. This week you need to…
My expectations for Taylor Swift‘s seventh album, Lover, were low. Her previous album, Reputation, was disappointing, with its defensive lyrical stance and dark textures. The first two songs released from Lover were both concerning – lead single ‘Me!’ seemed designed…
Expectations were high for Crosby, Stills, and Nash’s second album. Their 1969 debut album was acclaimed, and their appearance at Woodstock only increased their profile. The record company insisted that the trio add another member, after Stephen Stills had played…
Congratulations to jprobichaud and Rich Kamerman, who tied for first place with 22/26 in last week’s edible musician quiz. Welcome back for another music clip challenge. I play 13 songs on piano, you try and guess them. I think this…
Tyler Gregory Okonma, better known as Tyler, the Creator, has enjoyed a rapid career evolution over the last decade. He started as a brash teenager, gaining attention with his provocative lyrics for hip hop crew Odd Future. Along the way,…
Cat Stevens‘ work has endured because his low-key songs are relateable and accessible. Stevens has explored different styles over the course of his career – he started as a teen pop idol in the 1960s, and moved towards progressive rock…
Congratulations to the contestants who scored 100% in last week’s Connect the Dots quiz, with Tony recording the fastest score. This week’s challenge requires you to name musicians with food in their name. You can find it here. I…
Welcome back for a listen to ten more talented singer-songwriters – you can read part one here. As before, Google’s dictionary defines singer-songwriter as “a person who sings and writes popular songs, especially professionally.” The term’s come to have a…
The Police were arguably the greatest singles band of their era. In the late 1970s and early 1980s they released a string of great songs – ‘Roxanne’, ‘Message in a Bottle’, ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’, and ‘Every…
