New Music Reviews: HAIM, Ezra Furman, and The Mars Volta
Hopefully there’s something for everyone – the smooth pop/rock of California’s HAIM, Ezra Furman’s intense psychedelia, and The Mars Volta’s…
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Keep readingNew Music Reviews: HAIM, Ezra Furman, and The Mars Volta
Nuggets II: Bat Macumba by Os Mutantes
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
Music Quiz: Who sang it first?
I’m finally unleashed on the world again, consistently able to compete in these quizzes. Here’s one about the original versions…
10 Best Jimi Hendrix Songs
James Marshall Hendrix was born in Seattle. After his discharge from the army he became a musician, spending years gigging…
10 Best Bangles Songs
The Bangles’ work has two facets. There’s the 1960s garage rock sound of their early singles and reunion work. And…
Mississippi by Pussycat
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 Mississippi by Pussycat Topped the NZ chart for 11 weeks from 19 March 1976…
Music Quiz: Hide Your X,Y, and Z albums
There might be one final outtakes quiz, but we’ve reached the end of the alphabet. There aren’t many famous X,Y,…
10 Best Straitjacket Fits Songs
Of the indie guitar bands proffered by Dunedin’s Flying Nun label in the 1980s, Straitjacket Fits were the most likely…
New Music Reviews: Richard Dawson and Deafheaven
We have music from both sides of the pond this week. There’s folk from Richard Dawson and blackgaze from Deafheaven.…
Nuggets II: Real Crazy Apartment by Winston’s Fumbs
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
Music Quiz: Songs Containing Lists
This quiz is fun – it might be the only Sporcle quiz to feature Julie Andrews and Lou Bega together.…
10 Best Bread Songs
Bread struck AM gold in the early 1970s, with a sentimental string of soft-rock hits written by David Gates. David…
Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Here Comes the Hotstepper by Ini Kamoze Topped the NZ chart for 5 non-consecutive…
Nuggets II: No More Now by The Smoke
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘W’ Albums
We’re almost through the entire alphabet – X, Y, and Z will be together (although I haven’t started making that…
10 Best Joni Mitchell Songs after 1980
Joni Mitchell peaked in the 1970s with a terrific sequence of albums, particularly from 1971’s Blue to 1976’s Hejira. But…
New Music Reviews: Suzanne Vega and Julien Baker & Torres
All female and all American this week – Suzanne Vega plays folk (with some punk). while two non-country artists make…
Crawl by Atlas
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Crawl by Atlas Topped the NZ chart for 7 weeks from 12 March 2007…
Music Quiz: Which half of the 1970s?
Let’s take another break from sorting albums this week and guess which half of the decade songs belong to. Remember…
10 Best John Martyn Songs
The late John Martyn never enjoyed the mass acclaim that his immense talent deserved. Nonetheless, he delivered a string of…
New Music Reviews: Blondshell and Cosmic Cathedral
Alt-rock and prog rock this week. Blondshell’s refined her angsty alt-rock, while Neal Morse recruits a veteran band and gives…
Nuggets II: No Good Without You Baby by The Birds
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘V’ Albums
We’re still sorting albums this week, and up to V. Can you tell the Violator from the Vulture Prince? …
A Song for Each Beach Boy
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been covering The Beach Boys’ solo careers – albeit only two of them.…
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…
Nuggets II: Kicks and Chicks by The Zipps
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Nuggets II: Dance Around the Maypole by Acid Gallery
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
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…
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…
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…
Would I Lie To You? by Charles and Eddie
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Would I Lie To You? by Charles and Eddie Topped the NZ chart for…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘T’ Albums
We’re still sorting albums this week, and up to T. Can you tell the real Trout Mask from its replica.…
Taylor Swift's Best Album: 1989
It feels as though Taylor Swift has been around forever, but she released her seventh album, 2019’s Lover, while still…
Nuggets II: Get Yourself Home by The Fairies
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
10 Best Songs by The Police
When they formed The Police in London in 1977, Stewart Copeland, Sting, and Andy Summers were all veteran musicians. Copeland…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘S’ Albums
We’re back to sorting albums this week, and we’re up to S. Fortunately, many famous albums start with S. Can…
Miranda Lambert Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Texas-born Miranda Lambert occupies her own zone between the current mainstream country and the more rootsy sounds of Americana. As…
New Music Reviews: Lucy Dacus and Destroyer
Two new records from indie stalwarts. Lucy Dacus edges closer to the mainstream with the genteel Forever is a Feeling.…
Yummy by Justin Bieber
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 Yummy by Justin Bieber Topped the NZ chart for 2 weeks from 20 January…
Music Quiz: Which half of the 1980s?
Congratulations to Tony, who won last week’s R album challenge. Let’s take a break from sorting albums this week and…
10 Best Songs by The Byrds
The Byrds were one of the most significant American bands of the 1960s. They emerged from the L.A. folk scene,…
New Music Reviews: Japanese Breakfast and Ichiko Aoba
Two female artists this week. Confusingly, Ichiko Aoba is Japanese, while Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner was born in South Korea.…
Nuggets II: I’m Your Witchdoctor by Chants R&B
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘R’ Albums
There are 25 albums this week, but it’s much easier than that Q abomination. There are plenty of famous albums…
New Zealand's 2020 Election in Six Songs
General elections are held every three years in New Zealand, and they’re due soon. Our electoral system is known as…
New Music Reviews: The Tubs and FKA Twigs
Two new-ish records this week. The erotic pop of FKA Twigs and the power-pop of The Tubs. One is extremely…
Rain and Tears by The Hi-Revving Tongues
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Rain and Tears by The Hi-Revving Tongues Topped the NZ chart from 14 November…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘Q’ Albums
Not gonna lie – sorting out 15 Q albums is a tricky business. There are probably some you’ve never heard…
10 Best Pop-Era Genesis Songs
Genesis formed in the 1960s, when Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford met at Charterhouse School. By 1971, they’d…
Five Best Songs by The Front Lawn
The Flight of the Conchords weren’t New Zealand’s first musical/theatrical duo. Auckland’s The Front Lawn were active from 1985 to…
Nuggets II: But You’ll Never Do It, Babe by The Boots
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
Music Quiz: Hide Your ‘P’ Albums
There are a lot more albums to hide this week. Can you sort out the Plans from the Pirates? …
Talent Factories: Ten Bands Behind Future Legends
Some bands pool their talents to present a united front – they share writing credits, and there’s a designated lead…
New Music Reviews: Nadia Reid and Squid
This week’s acts have toned down their idiosyncrasies as their careers have progressed. Nadia Reid has transitioned from a serious-minded…
Down Under by Luude featuring Colin Hay
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Down Under by Luude featuring Colin Hay Topped the NZ chart from 17 January…
Music Quiz: Find the ‘Call’ Artist
Let’s take a break from album sorting this week. This week’s challenge is to link nine artists to their song…
10 Best Sam Phillips Songs
There are two prominent Sam Phillipses in popular music. This list isn’t about the Sun Records producer who worked with…
Nuggets II: One Third by The Majority
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
Heavenly Pop Hits—The Chills Albums Ranked
When Martin Phillipps passed away in 2024, the world lost a terrific, yet overlooked, songwriter. Phillipps, the son of a…
Music Quiz: Hide Your O Albums
Even more album sorting. Can you match the songs to the albums starting with O? Are you on the beach…
Turning Rebellion Into Money
To what extent was punk rock an expression of dissent?
Faith by George Michael
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Faith by George Michael Topped the NZ chart: from 6 December 1987 for 7…
Ranking Jason Isbell’s Discography
If you’re an old man, shouting at the clouds about how modern music isn’t the same as it was in…
Music Quiz: Hide Your N Albums
Even more album sorting. Can you match the songs to the albums starting with N? Can you tell your Nilsson…
Ten worst pop stinkers ever – A Letter to the Editor
Ten worst pop stinkers ever I wrote this in response to a list published in a major New Zealand weekly…
Nuggets II: Flight from Ashiya by Kaleidoscope
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
10 Best Songs by Gram Parsons
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die describes Gram Parsons as “Keith Richards’ citrus-heir drug-buddy”. Parsons blended rock and country…
Music Quiz: Hide Your M Albums
More album sorting. Can you match the songs to the albums starting with M? Can you tell smoke on the…
New Music Reviews: Fievel is Glauque, Ela Minus, Anna B Savage
It’s another eclectic week of new reviews with: All three records are highly recommended. Read on for details. Fievel is…
Locomotion by Ritz
Every New Zealand #1 single… 2 Locomotion by Ritz Topped the NZ chart: from 20 July 1980 for 7 non-consecutive…
Music Quiz: Hide Your L Albums
We’re back into album sorting this week. Can you match the songs to the albums starting with L? I…
Nuggets II: Here Come the Nice by The Small Faces
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The sequel covers the rest of the world since the…
The Ten Best Songs by The Jam
The Jam formed in 1972 in Woking, a satellite town 20 miles from London. Leader Paul Weller formed a three-piece…
Music Quiz: D music images
Welcome back for another week of quizzing. I thought we’d take a break from album sorting. Your challenge this week…
New Music Reviews: The Weather Station, Dina Ögon, and Bad Bunny
As a music reviewer, 2025 started quickly. Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny dropped a wide-reaching album in 2025’s first week.…
Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis Topped the NZ chart: from 17 December 2007 for…
Music Quiz: Hide Your K Albums
Can you identify the albums starting with K? As before I had to make this one myself. There aren’t as…
10 Best Songs by The Soft Boys
Robyn Hitchcock started his recording career as the frontman for the Cambridge band The Soft Boys. Kimberley Rew joined on lead…
Nuggets II: It’s My Fault by The Rattles
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The first volume was US-based, so the sequel covers the…
Music Quiz: Hide Your J Albums
It’s Waitangi Day, our national public holiday, here in New Zealand. It’s particularly fraught this year, as the far right…
New Music Reviews: Father John Misty, Being Dead, and Dawn Richard
I’m assuming that nobody cares about 2024 releases in February 2025. But there are still records in my pile that…
The Beatles: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
Miraculously, two of the most talented vocalists and songwriters in the history of popular music ended up in the same…
Music Quiz: Hide Your I Albums
Welcome back for another thrilling quizzing session. Can you identify the albums starting with I? Unfortunately, the person who made…
Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Travelin’ Man by Ricky Nelson Topped the NZ chart: from 31 July 1961 for…
Nuggets II: When The Alarm Clock Rings by the Blossom Toes
The success of Rhino’s 1998 Nuggets boxset justified a follow-up. The first volume solely focused on the USA, so the…
Music Quiz: Hide Your H Albums
Welcome back for another week of quizzing. Can you identify the albums starting with H? Unfortunately the person who made…
I’ll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 I’ll Make Love To You by Boyz II Men Topped the NZ chart: from…
10 Best Songs on the Nuggets Boxset
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the double LP set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic…
Music Quiz: Hide Your G Albums
Welcome back for another week of quizzing. Can you identify the albums starting with G? I scored 23 I…
Nuggets: I Had Too Much to Dream (Last Night) by The Electric Prunes
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the two-disc set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic…
Mull of Kintyre by Wings
Every New Zealand #1 single… 6 Mull of Kintyre by Wings Topped the NZ chart: for 7 weeks from 29…
Music Quiz: Hide Your F Albums
Welcome back – this week we’re looking at F albums. It’s a popular letter, so this quiz was easier than…
