Sparks are the world’s longest-running cult band. The only constant members are siblings Ron and Russell Mael, who grew up in Pacific Palisades, California. They emerged with the glam movement of the 1970s. Their single ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough…
When people talk about wasted potential in rock and roll, it’s usually premature deaths like Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, or Kurt Cobain. Pink Floyd’s original leader Syd Barrett also belongs on the list. Although Barrett lived into his sixties, his musical…
We’re back sorting albums this week, and up to U. Can you tell the Ultraviolence from the Undertow? I’m ineligible because I created the quiz. Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover and UK #1s Blog, who tied on 35 Here I am…
Two rock records this week. The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn teams up with The War on Drugs’ Adam Granduciel for his sixth solo album. Meanwhile, Ex-Vöid layer harmonies onto their punk roots. Craig Finn Always Been 2025, 8/10As much as…
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the first volume only chronicled the USA. Nuggets II: Original Artyfacts from the British Empire and Beyond, 1964–1969 emerged in 2001.…
Let’s take another break from sorting albums this week and guess which half of the decade songs belong to. Remember that 1995 is in the decade’s second half. I scored 37/40 – I need to bone up on my…
Despite releasing their first album in 1968, Creedence Clearwater Revival weren’t hippies. Frontman John Fogerty represents blue-collar America, addressing working-class issues like the Vietnam War, while there’s a heartland warmth to their swampy rock. The band sounded like they came…
Duets keep popping up on the music I write about this year, and today’s batch is no exception. Marlon Williams teams up with Lorde, while Justin Vernon duets with several female vocalists. Meanwhile, with only two tracks, Steven Wilson doesn’t…
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Would I Lie To You? by Charles and Eddie Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks from 6 December 1992 Four acts monopolised the NZ #1 number-one spot between 6 September 1992 and 4…
We’re still sorting albums this week, and up to T. Can you tell the real Trout Mask from its replica. I’m ineligible because I made it. There was a three-way tie last week, with Rich Kamerman, PowerPopMax, and UK…
