Congratulations to Tony, who scored 56 out of 69 in last week’s 1001 albums book quiz, and shout-outs to Murphy’s Law and Rich who both scored 54. This week’s quiz is a little different from previous quizzes, in that I…
Growing up in a white middle class neighbourhood, The Clash were an important gateway band for me. Buying Clash albums introduced disco, hip hop, and dub into my record collection. While you could argue that explorations into disco and hip…
We had a whole lotta 100% last week – congratulations to Jim, jprobichaud, Murphy’s Law, Tony, Rich, J., Paul, and Aaron, who all scored full marks. A special shout-out to Rich, who scored the fastest time, having a spare 3:48…
Most rock bands are remembered for their albums, but British pop-punk quartet Buzzcocks are most loved for their compilation Singles Going Steady. The group’s driving, tuneful, and lovelorn songs suited three-minute bursts. Their run of A-sides includes ‘Ever Fallen in…
We had four 19/19s last week in the Jim quiz – congratulations to Jim, Bruce, Murphy’s Law , and Tony! Murphy’s Law had the fastest recorded time. I suspect this week’s quiz might be a bit of a speed race…
During the first decade of the 2000s, this website was a minor, unremarkable part of the “web reviewing community”, where people reviewed albums as a hobby. Here I revisit another of my favourite sites. Steve Knowlton is a witty writer,…
Detroit power-pop maestro Marshall Crenshaw isn’t a household name. But his tuneful, often exuberant, 1982 debut album sometimes sneaks onto greatest album lists. Deservedly so – it’s a great little record of guitar pop, with a timelessly simple three-piece sound,…
Congratulations to Tony (), the only contestant to score 20/20 in last week’s quiz. This week’s quiz requires you to complete song lyrics that reference Jim or James. I’m expecting Music Enthusiast to do well this week with a home…
Here’s a brief summation of recent reviews on this review blog, in haiku form. As my wife pointed out, you can’t get much more aphoristic than a haiku. I’ve haiku’d nine records below, an assortment of more obscure efforts by…
During sessions for their debut album Ten, bassist Jeff Ament, guitarist Mike McCready, and vocalist Eddie Vedder improvised a song in the studio. McCready’s opening guitar licks are inspired by Jimi Hendrix, while Vedder made up lyrics on the spot…
