Locomotion by Ritz
Sometimes it’s embarrassing to be a New Zealander. We’ve held the world record for the lowest test cricket score since…
Blog
Keep readingLocomotion by Ritz
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 Small Faces are one of the best-known bands on Nuggets II, although I’d never heard this ode to their…
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
According to Gary Barlow, Leona Lewis was probably fifty times better than any other contestant Simon Cowell ever had. Leona…
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
Hurray! The Rattles Are Coming! But I’m unsure why the compilers chose this Rattles’ song for Nuggets II. Credits 4…
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
‘Travelin’ Man’ was played at Seattle SuperSonics home games whenever a visiting player committed a travelling foul. Ricky Nelson Ricky…
Nuggets II: When The Alarm Clock Rings by the Blossom Toes
The final song on the Nuggets II box set. The Blossom Toes played Captain Beefheart and Tim Hardin covers in…
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
“This is basically just “End of the Road” with new lyrics – and blimmin’ presumptuous lyrics at that.” Boyz II…
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
Want a horse, want a sheep, want a Mull of Kintyre. Paul McCartney Sir Paul McCartney endured a rollercoaster 1970s…
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…
Hard and soft—10 best albums of 2024
2024 was the international year of camelids. The war in Gaza continued and Donald Trump won the US election. Meanwhile,…
For passing change—the 10 best albums of 1974
I’ve enjoyed reading other blogs‘ fifty-year retrospectives of 1974 albums. It got me thinking about my own list. 1974 was…
Music Quiz: Hide Your E Albums
I’m scheduling this early because I plan to tramp in the Southern Alps today. I scored 21 I had…
New Music Reviews: Mabe Fratti and Lauren Mayberry
I’m still catching up with 2024 releases. Guatemalan cellist Mabe Fratti’s excellent Sentir Que No Sabes slipped out in June.…
Nuggets: Dirty Water by The Standells
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the two-album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic…
Music Quiz: Hide Your D Albums
The observant among you may have noticed that the quiz is a day later than usual. I figured people had…
New Music Reviews: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Lemon Twigs, and Clarissa Connelly
It’s another diverse week of new releases. We have: Two of these records feature church bells, befitting for Christmastide. Read…
Nuggets: Night Time by The Strangeloves
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Finish the Famous Christmas Song Line
I don’t normally run a Christmas music quiz, but let’s try it this year. I may have an advantage here,…
New Music Reviews: Mk.Gee, Kendrick Lamar, and Tyler, the Creator
School holidays are just starting. This means I must review the albums with inappropriate language before my girls are home…
Somethin’ Stupid by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman
New Zealand’s 2001 Christmas number one was a cover of a 1960s chestnut, recorded by a famous actress and a…
Music Quiz: Hide Your C Albums
I promise not to run 26 of these Hide Your Albums quizzes in a row, but I’m enjoying them. We’re…
New Music Reviews: Foxing and Blood Incantation
It’s the heaviest week of new reviews in this site’s history. Blood Incantation’s Absolute Elsewhere has been the most acclaimed…
Nuggets: Lies by The Knickerbockers
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the two-album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic…
Music Quiz: Hide Your B Albums
Last week we hid our A albums, this week it’s time to hide your B albums. I scored 24/24, although…
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…
Wind It Up by Gwen Stefani
From No Doubt to Rodgers and Hammerstein … Gwen Stefani Gwen Stefani was already an established star before she went…
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
These two descendants of Motown founder Berry Gordy aren’t actually sorry for party rocking. LMFAO The two members of LMFAO…
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
One of the 1980s’ most dependable and accomplished hitmakers moved onto the dancefloor. Madonna Madonna was one of the best…
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
Bruno Mars established his popularity in New Zealand with his very first single. Bruno Mars Peter Hernandez was born in…
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
Producer Danger Mouse and vocalist CeeLo Green create magic on their first single as Gnarls Barkley. Gnarls Barkley Producer Danger…
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
They enthralled John Lennon and Paul McCartney with their “Chaucerian wordplay and heavenly Baroque accompaniment”. Procol Harum Gary Brooker sang with The Paramounts,…
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
The siren beats of Pasifika communities in Auckland made it to the top of the American charts, with some help…
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
Jackson topped the NZ charts eight times as a solo artist. Surprisingly, six of these were during the 1990s. Michael…
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
Tony Bennett, David Lynch, and Alannah Myles are all involved in the Blue Velvet story. Bobby Vinton Bobby Vinton was…
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…
