New Music Reviews: The Hard Quartet and The Smile
It’s a 1990s revival week but with sneaky aliases. The leaders from two of the 1990s most beloved guitar bands…
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Wind It Up by Gwen Stefani
3 Wind It Up by Gwen Stefani Topped the NZ chart: for 2 weeks from 25 December 2006. Gwen Stefani…
Music Quiz: Hide Your A Albums
I don’t know what we will do with our lives now that almost 50 rounds of compilations are done. But…
Nuggets: Respect by The Vagrants
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the two-album set Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era.…
10 Best Curtis Mayfield Solo Songs
Curtis Lee Mayfield started his recording career in the 1950s. He was a member of The Impressions, whose first single,…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits L
It’s the final quiz in the series. It’s dedicated entirely to Beatles compilations. It’s a weird quiz, with some gimmes…
New Music Reviews: Soccer Mommy and The Cure
This week’s selection of albums is dark but enjoyable. Soccer Mommy confronts loss on Evergreen, while an ageing Robert Smith…
Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO
9 Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO (featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock) Topped the NZ chart: for 11 weeks from 4…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XLIX
Welcome back to the final conventional week of this epic series. There’s a number 50, but it’s dedicated entirely to…
New Music Reviews: Nick Cave and Kelly Lee Owens
Two English-based artists this week. Australian Nick Cave is back for another album of piano ballads, albeit less doom-laden than…
Nuggets: A Public Execution by Mouse
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the two-album set Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era.…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XLVIII
We’re almost through this epic series. It’s getting a little obscure – I know little of P-Square or Half Japanese.…
New Music Reviews: Nilüfer Yanya and Caribou
It’s a midlly disappointing week of new releases (keep in mind I’m generally a couple of months behind the rest…
Into the Groove by Madonna
9 Into the Groove by Madonna Topped the NZ chart: for 6 weeks from 11 August 1985. Madonna was one…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XLVII
We’re almost at the end of this epic series – just three more to go after this quiz, one of…
New Music Reviews: MJ Lenderman and Beachwood Sparks
It’s easy to imagine both of these two acts residing in late-1960s Los Angeles. Beachwood Sparks adopt a Byrds-ish jangle…
Nuggets: No Time Like The Right Time by The Blues Project
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XLVI
We’re up to quiz 46 in our greatest hits sequence – congratulations for sticking it out so long. This week’s…
New Music Reviews: Magdalena Bay and Zach Bryan
There are some fun classic rock Easter eggs in this week’s pair of new releases. Bruce Springsteen duets with Zach…
Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars
Every New Zealand #1 single… 8 Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars Topped the NZ chart: for 2…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XLV
We’re up to quiz #45 in the series. 45AD was the year the Roman senate consulted about real estate speculation in Rome.…
New Music Reviews: Amaro Freitas and The Fauns
It feels a little exotic this week – Brazilian jazz pianist Amaro Freitas plays music inspired by a recent trip…
10 Best Counting Crows Songs
Counting Crows bridged the gap between alternative and classic rock when they appeared in 1993. The band were clearly indebted…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XLIV
Welcome back for more quizzing. We’re up to #44, and the artists are getting ever more obscure. I scored…
Nuggets: Oh Yeah by The Shadows of Knight
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Crazy by Gnarls Barkley Topped the NZ chart: for 7 weeks from 29 May…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XLIII
We’re up to quiz #43. I found this one tricky with many artists I wasn’t familiar with. Can you tell…
New Music Reviews: Jack White and Cassandra Jenkins
Two solo artists this week. Former White Stripes frontman Jack White dropped a surprise record in August. Singer-songwriter Cassandra Jenkins…
Nuggets: Pushin’ Too Hard by The Seeds
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Greatest Hits XLII
We’re back into the normal rhythm of greatest hits albums. There are a few I haven’t heard of this week.…
Gillian Welch: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
For someone born in New York City, Gillian Welch has the uncanny ability to evoke the pastoral music of a…
A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum Topped the NZ chart: for 1…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XLI
There’s a changeup this week after 40 quizzes of the same format. Your challenge is to locate the greatest hits…
New Music Reviews: Arooj Aftab and Sabrina Carpenter
Two very different female solo artists this week. Arooj Aftab inhabits a space between folk and jazz on Night Reign.…
Nuggets: Moulty by The Barbarians
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XL
We’re up to greatest hits quiz 40. According to my maths, we had a five-way tie for first at 14/20…
New Music Reviews: Charly Bliss and Mdou Moctar
Stranded in Australia during the COVID pandemic. Stranded in the US after a coup in Niger. This week’s theme is…
Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo
Every New Zealand #1 single… 4 Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat) Topped the NZ chart: for 8 weeks from…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXIX
It’s spring here in New Zealand, which means insanely high winds most of the time. It’s lovely when the winds…
New Music Reviews: Porter Robinson and St. Vincent
Porter Robinson has added some swagger to his electro-pop. St. Vincent has added some industrial textures to her art-rock. Read…
Kate Bush Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Kate Bush exploded into popular music with her first single, 1978’s ‘Wuthering Heights’. The folk music from her Irish mother,…
Nuggets: Don’t Look Back by The Remains
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXVIII
Welcome to the future (if you’re reading this in the Americas). It’s already 29 August here, and it’s time for…
Crowded House Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Neil Finn grew up in Te Awamutu, a provincial town in New Zealand. As a teenage guitarist, he joined his…
Black or White by Michael Jackson
Every New Zealand #1 single… 7 Black or White by Michael Jackson Topped the NZ chart: for 8 weeks from…
The Decemberists Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
The Decemberists rode the wave of early 21st-century Indie to success, attracting attention with their predilection for historical epics and…
10 Worst Descendants Movie Lyrics
Pointing out bad lyrics in a tween fantasy Disney series feels like shooting fish in a barrel. But this quartet…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XXXVII
It’s just another day of quizzing. Can you match 20 disparate artists to their greatest hits? I could do…
Creedence Clearwater Revival Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Creedence Clearwater Revival released their first album in 1968. They seemingly emerged from a Florida swamp but actually came from…
New Music Reviews: Crowded House and Jessica Pratt
Neil Finn’s Crowded House has become a family firm, with his two sons officially in the band, while his wife…
Nuggets: An Invitation to Cry by The Magicians
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXVI
Number 36 in the series, and as we know, the sum of the integers from 1 to 36 is 666. Can…
New Music Reviews: Itasca and Camera Obscura
We dive into a couple of female-fronted indie records this week. Glasgow twee-pop band Camera Obscura are back for their…
Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 Blue Velvet by Bobby Vinton Topped the NZ chart: for 3 weeks from 17…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXV
We’re up to installment number 35 of Greatest Hits. Can you link these artists to their compilation covers? I…
New Music Reviews: The Decemberists and Beth Gibbons
Two veterans this week. Portland literate folk-rockers The Decemberists are back with their ninth album while Portishead’s Beth Gibbons releases…
Nuggets: Liar, Liar by The Castaways
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXIV
We’re still slogging through greatest hits collections. There were many artists I care deeply about in this edition. The Flaming…
19 by Paul Hardcastle
Every New Zealand #1 single… 9 19 by Paul Hardcastle Topped the NZ chart: for 5 weeks from 7 July…
The Definitive Charli XCX Album Ranking
British pop maverick has enjoyed her most successful album release cycle yet with her eighth album Brat. It’s sold well…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXIII
In the year 33AD, a financial crisis hit Rome. In Greatest Hits XXXIII, you have another selection of 20 increasingly…
New Music Reviews: Neil Young and Crazy Horse and Sault
Two notably prolific acts this week. Neil Young’s back with his 47th studio album, an archival project recorded in 1969.…
Nuggets: You’re Gonna Miss Me by The 13th Floor Elevators
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXII
Welcome back for another week of quizzing. We’re up to round 32 of greatest hits. Can you distinguish between Jimmy…
I Swear by All-4-One
Every New Zealand #1 single… 1 I Swear by All-4-One Topped the NZ chart: from 10 July 1994 for five…
10 Best Jellyfish Songs
Singing drummer Andy Sturmer and keyboardist Roger Manning started playing together at high school in Pleasanton, California. They formed their…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXXI
Welcome back for another week of quizzing. Can you link 20 (increasingly obscure) artists to their greatest hits albums? …
Nuggets: Psychotic Reaction by Count Five
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
10 Best Similes in Popular Music
My nine-year-old daughter recently had a school assignment to write down her favourite similes in songs. It looked fun, so…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXX
Good morning (NZ time), and I hope you’re ready for another round of quizzing. Like before, you need to link…
New Music Reviews: Kamasi Washington and Dua Lipa
Two solo artists are back from unusually long hiatuses this week. Kamasi Washington’s tenor saxophone-driven jazz fusion is back for…
Just Lose It by Eminem
Every New Zealand #1 single… 3 Just Lose It by Eminem Topped the NZ chart: from 5 November 2004 for…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXIX
Welcome back for #29 in a series that seemingly never ends. Well done to EclecticMusicLover, who top scored with 19…
New Music Reviews: Billie Eilish and Cindy Lee
It might sound like another brace of female solo artists this week. But Cindy Lee is the stage name for…
Nuggets: Hey Joe by the Leaves
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XVIII
No one scored more than 19/20 in last week’s quiz. I’m not sure if this week’s task is any easier…
Killing Me Softly by Fugees
Every New Zealand #1 single… 10 Killing Me Softly by Fugees Topped the NZ chart: from 2 June 1996 for…
10 Best Nick Drake Songs
English folk singer-songwriter Nick Drake barely sold a record during his lifetime. But since his premature passing in 1974, at…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XXVII
You know the drill – 20 more greatest hits albums to identify. Can you match the heroics of Tony, who…
New Music Reviews: Waxahatchee and Tyla
Two mononymous female artists this week – the Americana of Waxahatchee and the smooth Afrobeats pop of South Africa’s Tyla.…
Nuggets: Romeo and Juliet by Michael and the Messengers
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Taylor Swift’s Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Taylor Swift is a megastar, and her celebrity profile sometimes overshadows her musical abilities. Opinions on Swift are wildly diverse.…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXVI
Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover who had the only perfect score in last week’s quiz. My performance this week is a little…
New Music Reviews: Mary Timony and Erika de Casier
Two very different female solo artists this week. Mary Timony is a thirty-year indie veteran, having made her name in…
Freaks by Timmy Trumpet and Savage
Every New Zealand #1 single… 2 Freaks by Timmy Trumpet and Savage Topped the NZ chart: from 17 November 2014…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XXV
Another week, and the artists are just getting more obscure. Can you guess these 20 artists from their greatest hits…
Sugar and Spice by The Cryan’ Shames
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
10 Best Don Henley Songs
Don Henley was a star even before he began his solo career. He became the Eagles lead singer over the…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XXIV
Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover, who scored the fastest 20/20 in last week’s quiz. Someone made a ton of these Greatest Hits…
New Music Reviews: Faye Webster and Glass Beach
Two artists this week where I enjoyed their previous records, but I’m not quite so impressed by their most recent…
Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) by Billy Ocean
Every New Zealand #1 single… 6 Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run) by Billy Ocean Topped the NZ…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XXIII
Another week, another batch of increasingly obscure artists. This lot’s particularly eclectic, with everything from Reba McEntire to Captain Beefheart.…
New Music Reviews: Maggie Rogers and Adrianne Lenker
Two short albums by American female solo artists this week. Maryland’s Maggie Rogers makes likeable roots-tinged pop. From Indianapolis, Big…
Baby, Please Don’t Go by The Amboy Dukes
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXII
Welcome back for another round of quizzing. It’s a little trickier this week in my opinion. Can you tell the…
Vampire Weekend’s Albums Ranked
Vampire Weekend were formed by students at Columbia University. Frontman Ezra Koenig named the project after a vampire movie he…
