Nuggets II: My Life by Thor’s Hammer
Rúnar Júlíusson played bass for Thor’s Hammer, and also played football for Iceland. Credits 4 MY LIFE – Thor’s Hammer…
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Music Quiz: Complete the Band Name… With a Picture II
I featured the first quiz in this series back in 2018 – here’s part 2. Your challenge is to complete…
Ten Favourite Music Producers
The role of a music producer can be difficult to define as it can vary widely. Some are limited to…
New Music Reviews: Springsteen, Wet Leg, and Edwyn Collins
This week we have missives from New Jersey, the Isle of Man, and the Scottish highlands. Read on for details……
Easy On Me by Adele
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 Easy on Me by Adele Topped the NZ chart for 6 (non-consecutive) weeks from…
Music Quiz: Complete the Song Titles II
It’s another speed test this week. You have just 30 seconds to complete 10 hybrid song titles with a link…
10 Worst Song Lyrics of All Time
Unless you’re Leonard Cohen or Gil-Scott Heron, lyrics in popular music are a secondary concern. Normally I’m happy to bop…
New Music Reviews: Springsteen, Arcade Fire, and Black Country, New Road
A couple of bands are in tough spots in this week’s column. Black Country, New Road lost their lead singer…
Folkways: A Vision Shared—A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly
CBS released Folkways: A Vision Shared—A Tribute to Woody Guthrie and Leadbelly in 1988. It accompanied a documentary of the…
Music Quiz: Wikipedia Image Blitz
Not asking for much of your time this week – you have just 45 seconds to link six bands to…
Billy Joel Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
I spent my teenage years enamoured by the pop tunes of Billy Joel. Joel has a touch of show-tune about…
New Music Reviews: Springsteen, Sault, and Little Simz
This week, it’s the boss, the complainant, and the defendant. Bruce Springsteen recently dropped seven albums at once – let’s…
Nuggets II: Bad Little Woman by The Wheels
Like Them, The Wheels came from Belfast. They even shared a member – Van Morrison used to play saxophone with…
Music Quiz: Aerosmith Picture Click
This week, can you complete Aerosmith song titles by selecting an image? I’m not a big Aerosmith guy, but…
10 Best Neil Diamond Songs
Neil Leslie Diamond is adored by mature women and ironically enjoyed by sports crowds singing ‘Sweet Caroline’. Indoctrinated at an…
I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) by Meat Loaf
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) by Meat Loaf Topped…
Nuggets II: No Presents For Me by The Pandamonium
The group that dared to use the word “arse” on the single’s B-Side. Credits 4 NO PRESENTS FOR ME –…
Music Quiz: Badly Explained Rock Bands
This week’s challenge is to identify bands by their (not particularly helpful) descriptions. I scored 15/15, but I did…
Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs Albums Ranked
Natalie Merchant recently released her sixth solo album, Keep Your Courage. It’s a good opportunity to revisit her catalogue. On…
New Music Reviews: Real Lies, These New Puritans, and Lorde
We’re sticking in Mother England and her colonies this week. Enjoy the urban narratives of Real Lies, the art-rock of…
I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles Topped the NZ chart for…
Music Quiz: Who didn’t start the fire?
This week’s challenge is to sort historical events by which version of ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’ they appeared in.…
Jimmy Webb: Five Best Albums
Jimmy Webb enjoyed a sterling career as a songwriter in the 1960s – his website bills him as “America’s Songwriter”,…
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…
Nuggets II: Bat Macumba by Os Mutantes
Brazil’s Os Mutantes’ ‘Bat Macumba’ is a fascinating hybrid of tradition and psychedelia. Credits 4 BAT MACUMBA – Os Mutantes…
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
Only one thing I did wrong, listened to Mississippi a minute too long. Bigger than Bohemian Rhapsody ‘Mississippi’ is a…
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
Original Faces’ keyboardist Jimmy Winston spearheaded this hidden gem, featuring future Yes member Tony Kaye. Credits 4 REAL CRAZY APARTMENT…
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
Guitarist Brett Tauri bought some killer gear back to New Zealand and used it to shred on ‘No More Now’.…
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
Even though they were better at spelling, they weren’t as successful as America’s Byrds. Credits PERSONNEL/ALI McKENZIE: vocals * RON…
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 Zipps formed in 1965 in Dordrecht, a Dutch city known for a folktale where a sheep masqueraded as a…
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
This obscure Roy Wood tune sounds like a Move song. Credits 4 DANCE AROUND THE MAYPOLE – The Acid Gallery…
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
At 12, Eddie Chacon was playing in a band with future Metallica bassist Cliff Burton and future Faith No More…
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
“In 1965, it took some guts for men to walk around with shoulder-length hair and high-heeled Chelsea boots. Doing that and calling…
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
Justin Bieber has released some top-notch singles. ‘Yummy’ isn’t one of them. Justin Bieber Canadian pop singer Justin Bieber was…
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
Discover the wild sounds of Chants R&B, direct from the Addington Raceway…. Credits PERSONNEL/MIKE RUDD: vocal, harmonica, rhythm guitar *…
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
Hi-Revving Tongues topped the New Zealand charts with a cover of Aphrodite’s Child’s ‘Rain and Tears’. New Zealand pop Grows…
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
Jurg “Jockel” Schulte-Eckel delivers a searing guitar solo on this German cover of an obscure Watford band. Credits 4 BUT…
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
Christian Benson (Luude) is one half of the Australian electronic dance music duo Choomba. The other member is his cousin,…
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
One Third? The Majority? Does not compute…. Credits 4 ONE THIRD – The Majority (U.K.)(Barry Graham) PERSONNEL/BARRY GRAHAM (aka WIGLEY):…
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
George Michael’s second post-Wham! single was a worldwide smash. Wham! Wham! evolved from a partnership into a vehicle for George…
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
Peter Daltrey and Eddie Pumer met while working for ABC Television, and named this song after a Yul Brynner movie.…
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…
