I spent my teenage years enamoured by the pop tunes of Billy Joel. Joel has a touch of show-tune about his work, and his work has never been as critically acclaimed as his more celebrated contemporaries like Bruce Springsteen or…
This week, it’s the boss, the complainant, and the defendant. Bruce Springsteen recently dropped seven albums at once – let’s start with 1983’s LA Garage Sessions. Little Simz’ Lotus is often preoccupied with her former producer and friend Inflo, who…
Like Them, The Wheels came from Belfast. They even shared a member – Van Morrison used to play saxophone with them. Credits 4 BAD LITTLE WOMAN – The Wheels (Northern Ireland)(Tito Tinsley/Victor Catling/Roderick Demick/Herbert Armstrong/Brian Rosbotham) PERSONNEL/ROD DEMICK: vocals, harmonica,…
This week, can you complete Aerosmith song titles by selecting an image? I’m not a big Aerosmith guy, but I think most of these songs are well known. Can you beat my 12/12 with 1:42 remaining? Congratulations to Tony,…
Neil Leslie Diamond is adored by mature women and ironically enjoyed by sports crowds singing ‘Sweet Caroline’. Indoctrinated at an early age, however, I appreciate him as a fascinating character. Diamond is one part sequined stadium-filling entertainer and another part…
Meat Loaf was 46 years old when he scored his only number-one hit. 1993 Looking back, it’s interesting how conservative 1993’s single charts were in New Zealand. Some of the biggest songs were reworks of oldies – Whitney Houston covered…
The group that dared to use the word “arse” on the single’s B-Side. Credits 4 NO PRESENTS FOR ME – Pandamonium (U.K.)(Bob Ponton/Martin Curtis) PERSONNEL/BOB PONTON: vocals, lead guitar * STEVE CHAPMAN * MARTIN CURTIS * MICK GLASSProduced by GEOFFREY…
This week’s challenge is to identify bands by their (not particularly helpful) descriptions. I scored 15/15, but I did need to think a little. Can you beat my time of 2:09 remaining? Congratulations to Tony, who recorded the fastest…
Natalie Merchant recently released her sixth solo album, Keep Your Courage. It’s a good opportunity to revisit her catalogue. On this countdown, I rank her albums as a solo artist and as the lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs. I only…
We’re sticking in Mother England and her colonies this week. Enjoy the urban narratives of Real Lies, the art-rock of These New Puritans, and Lorde’s intimate pop-poetry. Real Lies We Will Annihilate Our Enemies 2025, 8/10It’s always tough following a…
