10 Best Simon & Garfunkel Songs
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met in 1953 when they appeared in their school’s production of Alice in Wonderland –…
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Music Quiz: Artist by Badly Drawn Song 1960s and 1970s
Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover and 2Loud2OldMusic, who both scored 19/20 in last week’s Tracks on the Back Solo quiz. I was…
R.E.M. Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
R.E.M. emerged from Athens, Georgia, part of a fertile scene that also produced The B-52s, Pylon, and Matthew Sweet. They…
Nuggets: Codine by The Charlatans
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Tracks on the Back Solo
Congratulations to Kamer Chameleo-Man who scored the fastest perfect score last week. This week you need to identify solo artists…
10 Best Hit Songs of the 1970s
I’ve listed the ten worst songs of the 1970s, so it’s only fair to look at the highlights of the…
10 Best Paul Simon Songs
Paul Simon’s songs are part of the American landscape, a thoughtful man documenting his inner dialogue in popular song. From…
Music Quiz: Guess Em In Fewer Words
Congratulations to ‘Boom Boom’ Rich Kamermancini, who won for the second week running in last week’s 4×4 quiz. This week…
New Music Reviews: Flock of Dimes, Kacy & Clayton & Marlon Williams, and Buck Meek
There’s an Americana theme with these three new releases. Jenn Wasner covers a lot of musical ground with her excellent…
Nuggets: Johnny Was A Good Boy by Mystery Trend
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: 4×4 Albums
Congratulations to Baby-You’re-A-Rich-Kamerman who blitzed last week’s quiz, solving the 8 questions in a reality-defying 6 seconds. This week we…
10 Best Stevie Wonder Songs
Michigan’s Stevland Hardaway Morris started his recording career young – taking the name Little Stevie Wonder, he recorded his first…
Music Quiz: Group Clicking
We had a smaller turnout than usual in last week’s parentheses quiz, but it was again won by a Jim…
10 Worst Songs of the 1990s
It’s easy to look back at the 1990s with rose-coloured spectacles. You may assume that the charts were dominated by…
Nuggets: Stop! Get A Ticket by Clefs of Lavender Hill
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the two-LP set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic…
Music Quiz: Parenthetical Asides
Last week’s US presidents quiz was a tight run thing, with both Jims joining me on 20/20 at 2:50, creating…
New Music Reviews: Azana, Cassandra Jenkins, and Lana Del Rey
Aphoristic Album Reviews takes a look at three new releases from women this week. Ingoma, from South African teenager Azana,…
Queen Albums: Ranked from Worst To Best
Queen formed in 1970 in London, originally a hard rock band with shades of progressive rock and metal. They adapted…
10 Best Songs by The Waterboys
When Mike Scott formed The Waterboys he was the group’s only member, recording most of their self-titled 1983 debut alone…
Music Quiz: Presidents in Song Titles
Congratulations to Angie and J. who both scored 75/78 in last week’s music grid quiz. It looks like almost no-one…
Nuggets: Complication by The Monks
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Music Grid
No one scored more than 18/20 in last week’s Double Grammy Winners quiz – congratulations to Eclectic Music Lover and…
Asterix Books: Ranked from Worst to Best
The Gaulish warrior Asterix has been a French institution since he first appeared in 1961’s Asterix the Gaul. He’s accompanied…
Music Quiz: Double Grammy Wins
Congratulations to Sheik Yerbouti, who recorded the fastest time in last week’s Who quiz. I didn’t watch the Grammy ceremony…
New Music Reviews: The Hold Steady, Julien Baker, and Hayley Williams
We stay in the USA for this week’s new albums. Literate bar-rockers The Hold Steady still have new ideas on…
Nuggets: The Witch by The Sonics
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: The Who Songs by Image
Congratulations to Aaron from Keepsmealive, who scored the fastest challenger time on last week’s quiz about 1980s Songs. This week…
Talking Heads Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
New York rock band Talking Heads started their career as the Artistics, with drummer Chris Frantz and vocalist/guitarist David Byrne.…
10 Best Gene Clark Songs
Gene Clark is best-known as an original member of The Byrds. He was the first to leave the group –…
Music Quiz: 5 Letter Words in 1980s Songs
Congratulations to J. and Tony who tied for the fastest time in last week’s Finish That Band II quiz. This…
10 Worst Songs of the 1980s
When I was a teenager in the 1990s, the 1980s were often reviled as the decade that taste forgot. But…
Nuggets: Get Me to the World on Time by The Electric Prunes
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Finish That Band II
Congratulations to Geoff from , who recorded last week’s fastest time with a perfect score. Max also achieved max points.…
New Music Reviews: The Weather Station, Transatlantic, and Steven Wilson
Welcome to the first batch of 2021 new album reviews. I examine the sophistipop of Canada’s The Weather Station, as…
10 Best Hüsker Dü Songs
Hüsker Dü are among the embarrassment of riches to emerge from Minnesota in the 1980s – their contemporaries included Prince,…
Music Quiz: 4 Decades of Music Hits VIII
Last week’s 1980s lyric quiz was won by Eclectic Music Lover, who completed the quiz with 44 seconds to spare.…
Randy Newman Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Despite a career that spans from the 1962 single ‘Golden Gridiron Boy’ to the 2017 album Dark Matter, L.A. singer-songwriter…
Nuggets: Mr. Pharmacist by The Other Half
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: 7 Letter Words in 1980s Songs
Last week’s quiz produced a bunch of different responses – some people cruised through it very fast, while others took…
10 Worst Songs of the 1970s
The 1970s were a great decade for albums. Acts like David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell, and Led Zeppelin released…
Nuggets: Open Up Your Door by Richard & the Young Lions
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: 4×4 Musicians
We had lots of perfect scores last week, but the fastest score went to Music Enthusiast Jim S. Well done…
10 Best Pixies Songs
A quirky alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, the Pixies effectively bridged two eras in guitar rock; the underground bands…
So Long Jerry by Ween: Great B-Sides
One of the most misleading album titles in popular music is Ween’s 12 Golden Country Greats. The country part isn’t…
Music Quiz: 9-10 Letter Words in 1960s Songs
Last week’s 2010s lyrics quiz threw out a very wide range of scores. Sheik Yerbouti won with 100%. This week’s…
Tintin Comics: Ranked From Worst To Best
Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, better known as Hergé, published the first Tintin adventure in the Catholic magazine Le Vingtième Siècle…
Nuggets: Just Like Me by Paul Revere & the Raiders
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: 5 Letter Words in 2010s Songs
Last week’s 1990s quiz was headed for a tie between J. and Tony, before Aaron came in late with a…
10 Best Billy Joel Songs
Despite his talent, it took Billy Joel a long time to find success. He played piano on the Shangri-Las’ ‘Remember…
Nuggets: You Burn Me Up and Down by We The People
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: 90s Rock Song By 5 Words
We have two weeks of Missing Musician Antonyms results to catch up with. Sheik Yerbouti had the fastest time with…
Music Quiz: Missing Musician Antonyms
It’s summer holidays in New Zealand – I’ll let you know who won last week’s quiz next week. This week…
New Music Reviews: Ichiko Aoba, Poppy, and Jeff Rosenstock
It’s the last batch of reviews of 2020 releases. Ichiko Aoba dresses up her folk music in strings and synths,…
Nuggets: I Live in the Springtime by The Lemon Drops
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Missing Musician Antonyms II
Everyone, and their monkey, bested me at last week’s Elvis picture quiz. Congratulations in particular to all the perfect scores…
New Music Reviews: Natalia Lafourcade, Taylor Swift, and Gabriel Garzón-Montano
Natalia Lafourcade explores traditional Mexican music, Taylor Swift delivers a second surprise indie-folk album for 2020, and Gabriel Garzón-Montano plays…
Nuggets: Mindrocker by Fenwyck
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Spot the Elvis
Most people aced last week’s male vocalist quiz. Rich and Jim tied for fastest time, although Rich had the distinction…
New Music Reviews: Cleo Sol, Chloe x Halle, and Wobbler
This week we look at the most recent releases from London neo-soul artist Cleo Sol (a member of Sault), L.A.…
Nuggets: Hold Me Now by The Rumors
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Musical Men By Image IV
Congratulations to Geoff Stephen who, with a little help with his wife, just pipped Tony in the 1990s lyrics quiz.…
New Music Reviews: Ela Minus, Sault, Róisín Murphy
In this week’s new music reviews: a Colombian, an anonymous collective, and an Irishwoman walk into a bar…… Ela Minus…
Nuggets: Love's Gone Bad by The Underdogs
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Song by Opening Lyrics (1990s)
Congratulations to Max from , who scored a perfect 30/30 in last week’s 1970s lyrics quiz, with commiserations to Felix…
New Music Reviews: Adrianne Lenker, Gillian Welch, and Ariana Grande
Three recent albums – a solo album by Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker, enthralling with just voice and guitar. An archival…
Nuggets: Why Pick On Me by The Standells
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Song by Opening Lyrics (1970s)
Congratulations to Music Enthusiast Jim, who scored the fastest time while completing the Away song titles quiz. Good work as…
Genesis Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Originating at Charterhouse School, one of England’s most prestigious public schools, Genesis recorded their first album as teenagers in 1968. They…
10 Best Steely Dan Songs
It took me a while to warm up to the sophisticated LA grooves of Steely Dan. Growing up, classic hits…
Music Quiz: 'Away' Song Titles
Congratulations to everyone who tried out last week’s Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers quiz. Good job to Tony, Max, and…
New Music Reviews: Tiwa Savage, Fleet Foxes, and Sufjan Stevens
This week we look at new releases from Nigerian Afrobeats/soul artist Tiwa Savage, indie-folk band Fleet Foxes, and musical polymath…
Nuggets: Bad Girl by The Zakary Thaks
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Albums
Well done to Tony, Rich, Sheik Yerbouti, and Geoff, who all scored full marks in last week’s quiz (and everyone…
Talk Talk Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Formed in 1981, London’s Talk Talk enjoyed an unusual career trajectory. They started their record career as a passable synth-pop…
Nuggets: Blackout of Gretely by GONN
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Trivia Triangles
Congratulations to everyone who did well in last week’s Who’s That With Stevie Wonder quiz – I think every single…
New Music Reviews: Tom Petty, The Flaming Lips, and The Microphones
Today we look at new records from three veteran acts – an archival release from the late Tom Petty (who…
Nuggets: Voices Green and Purple by The Bees
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Who's That With Stevie Wonder?
Congratulations to Sheik Yerbouti and Tony, who both scored 9/10 in last week’s error message quiz. This week you need…
Nuggets: Blue's Theme by Davie Allan & the Arrows
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
10 Best Big Star Songs
Alex Chilton was already a star when he joined forces with the Icewater. Icewater’s members – singer/guitarist Chris Bell, bassist…
Music Quiz: Pop Ups
Congratulations to tangerinetrees99, who scored the fastest time in last week’s musical instrument quiz, and well done to everyone who…
New Music Reviews: Kelly Lee Owens, Kate NV, and Moses Sumney
This week we look at 2020 releases from Wales, Russia, and North Carolina (via Ghana). Enjoy! Kelly Lee Owens Inner…
Inside and Out by Genesis: Great B-Sides
Against all odds, Phil Collins made a strong start to his tenure as Genesis’ lead vocalist. Recorded after Peter Gabriel…
Tricot – 10
Kyoto math rock band Tricot’s 真っ黒 (Pure Black) was the first 2020 album I reviewed on this site. There have…
Music Quiz: Instruments by Silhouettes
Congratulations to John from , who scored the only 20/20 in last week’s quiz about Women in Music. This week…
A Listening Biography in 10 Albums
I recently participated in an album draft, run by Hans from Like everyone else I picked 10 albums, but…
Music Quiz: Musical Women by Image IV
Congratulations to dark horse Luca, who scored 15/15 with the fastest time in last week’s Album Covers by Description Quiz.…
New Reviews: Burna Boy, Run the Jewels, and Sault
This week I look at releases from three different continents, all wrestling with political and racial issues. Nigeria’s Burna Boy…
Music Quiz: Album Covers by Description
Winter is coming in the northern hemisphere, and 2loud2oldmusic celebrated by scoring the only 20/20 in last week’s quiz, nailing…
Tom Petty Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Florida rock and roller Tom Petty distinguished himself with a lovable stream of self-deprecating hits. He emerged with a 1976…
51st Anniversary by The Jimi Hendrix Experience: Great B-Sides
By the time Jimi Hendrix released debut album Are You Experienced?, he certainly was experienced. After a stint in the…
Music Quiz: W,X,Y, and Z Albums by 3 Singles
At 10:21 pm last Thursday evening, Jim the Music Enthusiast asked the question “when will Tony win?” At 10:24pm, Tony…
New Music Reviews: The Beths, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, and Victoria Monét
This week we cover some power-pop from New Zealand, some Americana from Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, and a mini-album…
10 Best Songs from Paul Westerberg's Solo Career
My first encounter with the music of Paul Westerberg was my sister’s copy of the Friends soundtrack. I wasn’t impressed…
Music Quiz: T Albums by 3 Singles
It looks like we had a dead heat last week – Rich from KamerTunes and Music Enthusiast Jim both scored…
