19 by Paul Hardcastle
Paul Hardcastle was out having fun in pubs and clubs when he was 19, not being shoved into jungles and…
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Keep reading19 by Paul Hardcastle
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
An insipid ballad from the bargain-basement Boyz II Men. I Swear The third quarter of 1994 may be the most…
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
Eminem’s reign started to crack with ‘Just Lose It’. “Chubba-chubba-chubba-chubba-chubba-chubba-chubby/I don’t have any lines to go right here, so chubba-Teletubby.”…
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
The Fugees’ cover of Robert Flack’s cover was a massive, deserved hit worldwide. Killing Me Softly With His Song The…
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
The bass and the tweeters make the speakers go to war! Ah, the mighty trumpet brings the freaks out to…
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
It was a flop as ‘European Queen’ in the UK, but ‘Caribbean Queen’ took off for Billy Ocean in targeted…
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…
Paloma Blanca by George Baker Selection
Easy-listening schmaltz about a poor South American farmer who works hard all day, and then sits by a tree and…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XXI
You probably know the drill by now – match the artist to the greatest hits album. I found this…
Nuggets: Tobacco Road by Blues Magoos
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
10 More Classic Billy Joel Songs
In 2021, I assembled a list of my ten favourite Billy Joel songs. It included big hits and deep cuts,…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XX
It’s ANZAC Day here in New Zealand, where we remember the Gallipoli campaign, a disastrous attack on a Turkish peninsula…
Julia Holter: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
Milwaukee-born Julia Holter bridges musical worlds. She is classically trained and merges avant-garde ideas with electronic sounds and indie chamber…
Is It Over Now? by Taylor Swift
Swift is such a megastar that even her outtakes top the NZ singles charts. Taylor Swift It’s a little perverse…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XIX
Welcome back for another week of quizzing! This week we have yet another collection of greatest hits albums. I…
New Music Reviews: Katie Pruitt, Ducks Ltd, and Marika Hackman
The jangly guitar rock of Ducks Ltd are back for their second record. So is the ultra-sincere Atlanta-born singer-songwriter Katie…
Nuggets: Let’s Talk About Girls by The Chocolate Watchband
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 XVIII
Noone scored 20 in last week’s quiz – congratulations to Tony, EclecticMusicLover, and Rich Kamerman, who all peaked at 19.…
Where Did Our Love Go by The Supremes
‘Where Did Our Love Go’ marked the start of The Supremes’ mid-1960s excellence. The Supremes The Supremes were massively successful…
In The Shadows by The Rasmus
In The Shadows’ broke the record for performance royalties earned overseas by a Finnish composition. Composer Jean Sibelius was the…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XVII
It’s that time of the week – identifying more compilations! There are a few compilations in my collection this week.…
10 Best Karla Bonoff Songs
Karla Bonoff emerged from the same LA scene as musicians like Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, and the Eagles. She watched…
Nuggets: Sit Down, I Think I Love You by The Mojo Men
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 XVI
These greatest hits quizzes are fun, so let’s do another one. Identify the greatest hits based on its cover. IMO…
Fernando by ABBA
ABBA dominated the NZ charts in 1976, and this non-album single is charming. ABBA 1976 was the year of ABBA…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XV
You probably know the drill by now – link the artist to the greatest hits compilation. We’re down to the…
Nuggets: Run, Run, Run by The Third Rail
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
10 Best Paul Kelly Songs: Part 2, 1994-present
As I wrote in Part 1 of this Paul Kelly series, he’s barely known outside of his native Australia. But…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XIV
Welcome back to another week of quizzing. We’re back for yet another round of identifying greatest hits albums. As with…
New Music Reviews: The Smile and The Last Dinner Party
Two hyped British releases this week. Both are worthy yet the lead single overshadows the rest of the record both…
Beautiful Liar by Beyoncé and Shakira
‘Beautiful Liar’ squanders the powers of two charismatic stars with a mediocre song. Beyoncé and Shakira were two of New…
Ariana Grande Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Ariana Grande pivoted to a music career after four seasons on Nickelodeon teen comedy Victorious. She released her debut, Yours…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits Albums XIII
Welcome back to another week of quizzing. We’re back for yet another round of identifying greatest hits albums. Just like…
Nuggets: My World Fell Down by Sagittarius
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
10 Best Josh Rouse Songs
Singer-songwriter Josh Rouse was born in the small town of Oshkosh, Nebraska. He moved often as a child, due to…
Music Quiz: Greatest Hits XI
Welcome back to another week of quizzing. We’re back for another round of identifying greatest hits albums. This week’s quiz…
New Music Reviews: Laura Groves and Wednesday
It’s the last batch of 2023 reviews for 2024. There’s a marked contrast between the rough-hewn sounds of Asheville’s Wednesday…
Chains by DLT (featuring Che Fu)
‘Chains’ is New Zealand hip-hop and soul’s equivalent to Queen and Bowie’s ‘Under Pressure’. Two musicians from different bands jammed…
Music Quiz: Find the Greatest Hits Album IX
I was a keen buyer of greatest hits records in my teens. With a limited budget, they were bang for…
Nuggets: Open My Eyes by Nazz
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
10 Best Paul Kelly Songs: Part 1, 1985-1992
Singer-songwriter Paul Kelly is barely known outside of Australia, but he’s one of his country’s most beloved musicians. His literate…
Music Quiz: Pop and Rock Songs With Love in the Title
Welcome back. If you’re in America or the UK, it’s still probably “Pash Wednesday”. This has happened twice since World…
Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando and Dawn
The past is a foreign country. ‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree’ sounds irredeemably corny now, but…
I’m Your Man by Wham!
‘I’m Your Man’ was Wham’s only number one hit in New Zealand during the 1980s. ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Wake…
Music Quiz: Geographic Song Titles
Welcome back to another round of quizzing. Last week, a late-ish entry from Tony, replete with coffee, blitzed the field.…
New Music Reviews: Ratboys and Danny Brown
It’s February 2024, and we’re still chewing through 2023 records. Two very different American acts this week. The country and…
Nuggets: Farmer John by The Premiers
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Music Quiz: Musician by Real Name
Welcome back for another week of quizzing. Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover, who won easily with 29 This week’s challenge is relatively…
With You by Chris Brown
Before some personal issues emerged, Chris Brown was a promising and charming young R&B star. Chris Brown Chris Brown was…
10 Best Vanessa Carlton Songs
Vanessa Carlton is largely known as a one-hit wonder. The Pennsylvania-born pianist and singer hit the big time with her…
Music Quiz: Not-So-Greatest Hits A&B Artists
Last week’s quiz produced a tie between 2loud2oldmusic and Geoff Stephen. This week we’re continuing the theme of less-than-blockbuster hit…
New Music Reviews: Hotline TNT and L’Rain
Still working through a few more records from 2023 that I hadn’t got to yet. This week we feature two…
Nuggets: It’s A-Happening by The Magic Mushrooms
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
Music Quiz: 20 #20 Hot 100 hits
Welcome back. Kingclover won last week’s quiz, a tough challenge of 1980s small hits. This week, we’re dealing with more…
Heart of Darkness by Pere Ubu: Great B-Sides
Cleveland, Ohio, has a rich musical history. It has a celebrated orchestra and it hosts the Rock and Roll Hall…
Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!! by Vengaboys
Maybe I’m no fun. But I have an intolerance to the Eurodance of The Vengaboys. The Vengaboys Danski and Delmundo…
Music Quiz: 3 Flops, 1 Act: 1980s
Congratulations to Rich Kamerman, who schooled the rest of us on famous drummers. Although Deke also scored a credible 27…
10 Best Albums of 2023
It’s my fifth year of ranking albums annually on this site. It feels like the weakest year to date. The…
Nuggets: Talk Talk by The Music Machine
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era. Released in…
New Music Reviews: Sofia Kourtesis and Boygenius
I still have a few 2023 releases to get through, but I’m hoping to get my 10 Best Albums of…
Music Quiz: Famous Drummers
Congratulations to Geoff Stephen, who took Canada to a glorious win in last week’s Bands that should play together II…
Star Crossed Lovers by Craig Scott
Heartthrob Craig Scott crooned his way to the top of the NZ charts for four weeks in 1970. Craig Scott…
Peter Gabriel: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
It’s unusual for a solo artist’s work to overshadow their work with their previous band. But there’s a strong argument…
Music Quiz: Bands that should play together II
Congratulations to Jim, who won for the second consecutive week, narrowly in front of a few other contestants. This week,…
Joanne by Michael Nesmith and The First National Band
The most talented Monkee released New Zealand’s most surprising Christmas #1 in 1970. Michael Nesmith One of the more surprising…
