Peter Gabriel’s Best Album: Peter Gabriel (1980)
Before going solo, Peter Gabriel fronted the progressive rock band Genesis for six albums. His theatrical flair, croaky voice, and … Continue Reading Peter Gabriel’s Best Album: Peter Gabriel (1980)
XTC’s Best Album: Skylarking
Background Andy Partridge, bassist Colin Moulding, and drummer Terry Chambers started playing in a band together in 1972, opening for … Continue Reading XTC’s Best Album: Skylarking
The End of the Affair by Prefab Sprout – Great B-sides
There are b-sides that are of high quality, that should never have been left off their parent albums. And then … Continue Reading The End of the Affair by Prefab Sprout – Great B-sides
Music Quiz: 1980s Artists on Their Album Covers
Congratulations to Tony, who scored 48/50 in a 2000s music quiz that produced wildly divergent scores. Since we competed in … Continue Reading Music Quiz: 1980s Artists on Their Album Covers
Neil Finn’s Five Best Albums
Until the emergence of Lorde, song-smith Neil Finn was New Zealand’s most recognisable pop export. Born in Te Awamutu, Finn … Continue Reading Neil Finn’s Five Best Albums
Great B-Sides: How Soon is Now? by The Smiths
It’s counter-intuitive to include The Smiths‘ most iconic song in a b-side series, but it was first released as the … Continue Reading Great B-Sides: How Soon is Now? by The Smiths
Great B-sides: If Only You Were Lonely by The Replacements
The Replacements started as a bratty punk band, but as the 1980s wore on they lost their rough edges. They … Continue Reading Great B-sides: If Only You Were Lonely by The Replacements
Great B-sides: Pictures of Bernadette by Talk Talk
The untimely passing of Talk Talk mastermind Mark Hollis this week has sent many fans back to re-examine his masterpieces. … Continue Reading Great B-sides: Pictures of Bernadette by Talk Talk
Great B-sides: Under the Ivy by Kate Bush
Kate Bush‘s 1982 album The Dreaming was excellent, but it wasn’t especially commercially successful. She’d previously enjoyed ground-breaking UK success; … Continue Reading Great B-sides: Under the Ivy by Kate Bush
Great B-Sides: Hello in There by 10,000 Maniacs
Folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs often recorded covers for their b-sides; a smart move, as they showcased how cool their record … Continue Reading Great B-Sides: Hello in There by 10,000 Maniacs
Great B-Sides: 1963 by New Order
After Ian Curtis’ passing, Joy Division transitioned into New Order, with Bernard Sumner taking over the front-man role, and Gillian … Continue Reading Great B-Sides: 1963 by New Order
Great B-Sides: Tell Me About Your Drugs by Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians
English singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock has created cult records all the way back to his days in The Soft Boys in … Continue Reading Great B-Sides: Tell Me About Your Drugs by Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians
Great B-Sides: You’re My Favourite Waste of Time by Marshall Crenshaw
Detroit power-pop maestro Marshall Crenshaw isn’t a household name. But his tuneful, often exuberant, 1982 debut album sometimes sneaks onto … Continue Reading Great B-Sides: You’re My Favourite Waste of Time by Marshall Crenshaw
Shark Attack by Split Enz
I think that, regardless of our musical differences, we can all agree that the current decade has been tough for … Continue Reading Shark Attack by Split Enz
The Replacements Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
During ten anarchic years, The Replacements recorded a ton of wonderful Paul Westerberg songs, self-sabotaged their career, and never achieved … Continue Reading The Replacements Albums: Ranked from Worst to Best
Monkey Gone To Heaven by Pixies
A few months ago we discussed a curious incident at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand, when an intruder broke into the … Continue Reading Monkey Gone To Heaven by Pixies
