Some bands pool their talents to present a united front – they share writing credits, and there’s a designated lead singer. These bands often feature stable lineups and long tenures; examples include R.E.M. and Rush. Other bands are full of…
This week’s acts have toned down their idiosyncrasies as their careers have progressed. Nadia Reid has transitioned from a serious-minded singer-songwriter to warm pop songs. Squid’s music has become less edgy and experimental. Nadia Reid Enter Now Brightness 2025, 8/10Dunedin…
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Down Under by Luude featuring Colin Hay Topped the NZ chart from 17 January 2022 for 9 weeks. Christian Benson (Luude) is one half of the Australian electronic dance music duo Choomba. The other…
Let’s take a break from album sorting this week. This week’s challenge is to link nine artists to their song with “call” in the title. I scored 9/9 with 2:15 remaining. I wasn’t completely in control, but when there…
There are two prominent Sam Phillipses in popular music. This list isn’t about the Sun Records producer who worked with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Rather it’s about the idiosyncratic female singer-songwriter who launched her career in…
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.…
When Martin Phillipps passed away in 2024, the world lost a terrific, yet overlooked, songwriter. Phillipps, the son of a Methodist minister, formed The Chills in 1980. They signed to the Flying Nun label but were more sophisticated than most…
Even more album sorting. Can you match the songs to the albums starting with O? Are you on the beach or out to lunch? I made this quiz, so I’m not eligible to enter. Can you score full marks…
To what extent was punk rock an expression of dissent?
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Faith by George Michael Topped the NZ chart: from 6 December 1987 for 7 weeks. Wham! evolved from a partnership to a vehicle for George Michael. So it wasn’t surprising when Wham! disbanded and…
