The Twist by Chubby Checker
Every New Zealand #1 single… 5 The Twist by Chubby Checker Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks from 25 January 1962 Chubby Checker was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, largely because of a handful…
Aphoristical
Graham Fyfe has been writing this website since his late teens. Now in his forties, he's been obsessively listening to albums for years. He works as a web editor and plays the piano.
Nuggets II: Kicks and Chicks by The Zipps
The Zipps formed in 1965 in Dordrecht, a Dutch city known for a folktale where a sheep masqueraded as a person. Credits 4 KICKS & CHICKS – The Zipps (NL)(Peter Nuyten/Ben Katerberg) PERSONNEL/PHILIP ELZERMAN: vocals, guitar * PETER NUYTEN: lead…
Sparks: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
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…
10 Best Syd Barrett Songs
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…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘U’ Albums
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…
New Music Reviews: Craig Finn and Ex-Vöid
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…
Nuggets II: Dance Around the Maypole by Acid Gallery
This obscure Roy Wood tune sounds like a Move song. Credits 4 DANCE AROUND THE MAYPOLE – The Acid Gallery (U.K.)(Roy Wood) PERSONNEL/(prob) THE EPICS: JEFF CHRISTIE: vocals, bass * VIC ELMES: lead guitar * MIKE BLAKELY: drums * IAN…
Music Quiz: Which half of the 1990s?
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…
10 Best Creedence Clearwater Revival Songs
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…
New Music Reviews: Bon Iver, Marlon Williams, and Steven Wilson
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…
