The Cars: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
The members of The Cars were all experienced musicians when they formed. Drummer David Robinson had already played with another…
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Music Quiz: Who Sang Which?
Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover, who scored 21/22 in last week’s band hometowns quiz. This week, your challenge is to differentiate between…
Nuggets: Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love) by The Swingin’ Medallions
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Late for the Sky by Jackson Browne
My favourite Jackson Browne song is the title track to his third album, 1974’s Late for the Sky. I’ve never…
Music Quiz: Hometowns of Musicians
There were a lot of strong entries in last week’s British or American quiz. But JP Robichaud emerged supreme, blitzing…
New Music Reviews: Caroline Polachek and Robert Forster
It’s the first proper batch of new album reviews for 2023. Former Chairlift vocalist Caroline Elizabeth Polachek is onto her…
Paramore Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Hayley Williams moved to Franklin, Tennessee, in 2002, to escape from her abusive stepfather. She formed Paramore at the age…
Music Quiz: British or American Bands
Most contestants performed impressively in last week’s synonyms and antonyms quiz. The fastest time came from keepsmealive’s James Kalyn, who…
Nuggets: Live by The Merry-Go-Round
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
10 Best Tori Amos Songs
Tori Amos was the youngest ever person admitted to the prestigious Peabody Institute before she was asked to leave for…
Music Quiz: Synonym or Antonym
Welcome to this week’s music quiz. Success in last week’s secondary colours quiz was primarily determined by contestants’ familiarity with…
Nuggets: Steppin’ Out by Paul Revere & the Raiders
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Victoria by The Dance Exponents
They’re barely known outside New Zealand, but The Dance Exponents were reliable hitmakers in the 1980s. They kept enjoying success…
Music Quiz: Songs by Secondary Colour
Noone scored 100% in last week’s Dead Before 30 quiz, but congratulations to everyone who scored 21. Both Avicii and…
10 Bands with the Best Harmony Singing
I’ve recently made lists of my 10 favourite male and female vocalists. The natural next step is to make a…
10 Excellent Tom Petty Deep Cuts
The late Tom Petty was a great singles artist – tracks like ‘The Waiting’, ‘Refugee’, and ‘Free Fallin” sound terrific…
Music Quiz: Musicians Died Under 30
Congratulations to Tony, who scored a highly credible 23/24 in last week’s Albums with Title Tracks Removed quiz. This week…
10 Best Female Vocalists
Rolling Stone magazine recently published its list of The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. To my mind, they did a…
Nuggets: Diddy Wah Diddy by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Albums with Title Tracks Removed 2
Most competitors beat me in last week’s Homophoney Hits quiz – congratulations to EclecticMusicLover, who scored 15 This week, the…
New Music Reviews – Sara Parkman, Anna Tivel, and Rema
Just mopping up a few 2022 records that I didn’t get to before the end of the year. Nigeria’s Rema…
Music Quiz: Homophoney Hits
Last week we looked at singer name definitions. Congratulations to Tony, who scored the fastest time, although Msjadeli managed a…
Nuggets: Strychnine by The Sonics
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
10 Best Prog-Era Genesis Songs
As I’ve noted on this site before, it’s remarkable how Genesis transformed from a smalltime band to commercial heavyweights. By…
Music Quiz: Singer Name Definition with a Picture
Congratulations to James from keepsmealive, who top scored in last week’s Artist by First Hit quiz. This week your challenge…
10 Best Male Vocalists
Rolling Stone magazine recently published its list of The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. To my mind, they did…
Nuggets: Little Girl by Syndicate of Sound
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Artist by First #1 Hit VI
I’m away on vacation this week, so I’ve queued this post up early. At the time of writing, EclecticMusicLover had…
Sweetest Thing by U2: Great B-Sides
Irish rock band U2 peaked with their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. Their fifth record, it combined Bono’s fervour with…
Music Quiz: Artist by First #1 Hit II
Noone scored full marks in last week’s two album decade quiz, but congratulations to the two contestants tied on 39/40…
New Music Reviews: Sudan Archives, Little Simz, and Tricot
Often music releases quieten down for December, but as well as SZA’s impressive SOS (covered last week), Little Simz and…
Nuggets: (We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet by the Blues Magoos
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Albums from Two Decades
Congratulations to 2loud2oldmusic, who pipped Tony by less than 10 seconds for the fastest time in the First 3 Songs…
New Music Reviews: SZA, Brian Eno, and Caroline
This week SZA drops an excellent and accessible December album, while veteran Brian Eno and debutant band Caroline provide far…
10 Best Yellow Magic Orchestra Songs
Harry Hosono recruited keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto and drummer Yukihiro Takahashi to record a quickie cover of the 1950s exotica tune…
Music Quiz: First 3 Songs on an Album (#7)
Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover, who proved something of a sex expert on last week’s quiz. This week your challenge is to…
New Music Reviews: Richard Dawson, Phoenix, Weyes Blood
There are still a bunch of worthy 2022 releases to cover – this week I discuss the weirdo British-folk of…
Nuggets: Shape of Things to Come by Max Frost & The Troopers
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: You’re Talking About Sex, Right?
Congratulations to Tony, who just pipped James Kalyn from Keepsmealive for top honours in last week’s quiz. This week your…
New Music Reviews: Alvvays, Sharon Van Etten, & Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn
This week, the best album has the worst album cover art. Enjoy New Jersey singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten, arty ambience…
12 Best Scott Walker Songs
The late Scott Walker was one of the most fascinating artists of the rock era, successful as both a crooner…
Music Quiz: 1990s One-Hit Wonders
Last week’s Band by Long Song Title quiz favoured younger contestants – King Clover narrowly beat Jprobichaud for bragging rights.…
Nuggets: Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) by The Hombres
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Bands by Long Song Title
Congratulations to Jamie Kyei from The Music in my Ears, who recorded the fastest time in last week’s album quiz.…
New Music Reviews: Beth Orton, Alex G, and Cass McCombs
Three strong records from experienced solo artists this week. 1990s veteran Beth Orton is back with an album of poised…
The 10 Best Pet Shop Boys Songs
Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe met in a hi-fi shop in Chelsea in 1981. Tennant had bought a Korg synthesizer…
Music Quiz: Albums with Title Tracks Removed
A few contestants scored full marks last week, in the 1972 #1 hits quiz. EclecticMusicLover scored the fastest time. This…
Switching from Wordpress.com to Wordpress.org – my experience
In April 2021, some posts on this music website, like 10 Worst Songs of the 1980s and 10 Best Hit…
Nuggets: Fight Fire by The Golliwogs
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: #1 Song to Artist Matchup, 1972
Congratulations to Max Badfinger, who scored 27/30 on last week’s trivia quiz. This week you need to link the 1972…
New Music Reviews – Marlon Williams, The Beths, and Ibibio Sound Machine
It’s a strong week of new-ish releases, with two New Zealand acts. Country crooner Marlon Williams expands his range with…
Music Quiz: Trivia Clicking
Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover, who scored the fastest 28/28 in last week’s Paul quiz, more than three minutes ahead of Max.…
Carly Rae Jepsen: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
Carly Rae Jepsen is pigeonholed as a one-hit-wonder. Her 2012 song ‘Call Me Maybe’ is one of the most ubiquitous…
Nuggets: At the River’s Edge by New Colony Six
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Hits by Pauls
Tony managed a very strong 49/50 in last week’s tough rock sub-genres quiz, an excellent effort. This week’s quiz is…
New Music Reviews: Emily Wells, Beyoncé, and Florist
In this week’s set of new reviews, two artists who you may not have encountered previously, as well as global…
10 Best Television Songs
The band Television emerged from the same CBGB scene that produced Talking Heads, The Ramones, Blondie, and Patti Smith. The…
Music Quiz: Rock Sub-Genres
Congratulations to EclecticMusicLover, who scored the fastest time in last week’s golfing quiz. This week’s quiz is longer and more…
Nuggets: Jack of Diamonds by The Daily Flash
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Musicians Golfing
Congratulations to Rich Kamerman, who dominated last week’s Bands that Became Other Bands quiz – he scored 25, 16% ahead…
The Wires Are Down by The Blue Nile: Great B-Sides
Moody Glasgow pop band The Blue Nile have such a slim discography that everything they’ve recorded is to be treasured.…
10 Best Songs by Sugar
After Hüsker Dü broke up, singer-guitarist Bob Mould dabbled with a solo career. In the wake of Nirvana’s success, he…
Music Quiz: Bands That Became Other Bands
Congratulations to Tony and Max, who tied in last week’s Chart Toppers in the 1980s quiz. Amazingly, Rich and EclecticMusicLover…
The Velvet Underground: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
The Velvet Underground began as a collaboration between frustrated songwriter Lou Reed and classically trained John Cale. Cale had worked with experimental…
Nuggets: Follow Me by Lyme & Cybelle
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Chart Toppers in the 1980s
Congratulations to Rich Kamerman, who identified some obscure acts and scored 20/20 in last week’s quiz. This week’s challenge involves…
New Music Reviews: Amanda Shires, Black Midi, and Kabza De Small
It’s a diverse week – the folky American of Amanda Shires, the intensity of UK’s Black Midi, and the smooth…
That Time Todd Rundgren Predicted a Failed Auckland Mayoral Campaign
It’s local election season here in New Zealand. In my home city of Lower Hutt, we have the now standard…
Music Quiz: Band or Song? V
Congratulations to Tony, who scored the fastest competitor time in last week’s AI-Generated 1970s Song Quiz. This week, you are…
Freedy Johnston: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
Frederic Fatzer grew up in the small town of Kinsley, Kansas, notable for its equidistance between New York City and…
Nuggets: It’s Cold Outside by The Choir
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: 70s Song by AI-Generated Art
Congratulations to boppinsblog, who beat kingclover for bragging rights in last week’s quiz. We’re staying in the classic rock era…
New Music Reviews: Soccer Mommy, MJ Lenderman, and Cloakroom
It’s a surprisingly homogenous week of new reviews. Three American rock acts, all from the heartland, all dabbling a little…
Music Quiz: Complete the Lyrics (Classic Rock)
Congratulations to Rich Kamerman, who just pipped Eclectic Music Lover for the fastest time in last week’s Cat Stevens titles…
The Best Song Named Gypsy
Despite almost unlimited access to music with a Spotify subscription, I’ve maintained a collection of files on my computer, burning…
Nuggets: Beg, Borrow, And Steal by The Rare Breed
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Cat Stevens Song by Image
Congratulations to Tony, who just pipped Rich Kamerman in last week’s famous lead singer quiz. This week we have a…
New Music Reviews: Maggie Rogers, Melody’s Echo Chamber, and Shearwater
This week we have new music from Maryland singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers, the dreamy pop of France’s Melody’s Echo Chamber, and…
Weekly Music Quiz: Famous Lead Singers by Band
Congratulations to Rich “we mean it” Kamerman, who scored 36/36 in last week’s California Bands quiz, correctly sorting Beach Boys…
Lana Del Rey: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
Elizabeth Woolridge Grant made an immediate impact on popular culture with her 2011 debut single ‘Video Games’, released under her…
Nuggets: She’s About A Mover by Sir Douglas Quintet
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Weekly Music Quiz: California Bands by Album
Jim S narrowly beat EclecticMusicLover in last week’s ‘Got’ Song Titles quiz. This week, you need to link the Californian…
New Music Reviews – Real Lies, Burna Boy, and The Smile
This week we have Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, Radiohead side-project The Smile, and the smooth monologues of London duo…
The 10 Best Songs by The Seekers
With the recent passing of Judith Durham, it’s fitting to look back on the ten best songs from Australian folk…
Music Quiz: ‘Got’ Song Titles Quiz
Tony dominated last week’s MTV Unplugged album quiz, scoring a perfect 24 This week we’re looking at songs with the…
Summer in Paradise by The Beach Boys: 30th Anniversary Review
The past week marked the 30th anniversary of The Beach Boys’ Summer in Paradise. I’ve been filling in the gaps…
Nuggets: Little Bit O’Soul by The Music Explosion
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Weekly Music Quiz: MTV Unplugged Albums By Three Songs
Making mellow music with his wife paid off for Rich Kamerman last week – he scored perfect marks in the…
Transatlantic: Albums Ranked from Worst to Best
The progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic played the last concert of their Absolute Universe tour in July 2022. The group have…
10 Best Joy Division Songs
Manchester post-punk band Joy Division appeared so ordinary – in their music videos they look like four young civil servants…
Music Quiz: Margaritaville Clicky-oke
Congratulations to Tony, who scored 20/20 in last week’s Badly Drawn Albums quiz. This week you need to complete the…
New Music Reviews: Bad Bunny, Rae Morris, and Linda Hoover
It’s an eclectic bunch this week – Puerto Rican superstar rapper Bad Bunny and English art-pop from Rae Morris. There’s…
Nuggets: Put the Clock Back on the Wall by The E-Types
Before he became Patti Smith’s lead guitarist, Lenny Kaye compiled the 2 album set, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First…
Music Quiz: Artist to Badly Drawn Album 1
I had to collate last week’s result a little early last week, but when I made this post Max from…
Early 1970 by Ringo Starr: Great B-Sides
Ringo Starr had the most to lose from The Beatles‘ breakup. John Lennon had already launched a solo career with…
10 Best Songs by The Mutton Birds
Don McGlashan had already made an impact on the New Zealand music scene before he formed The Mutton Birds. He…
