Reviews
These musical artists have their own pages on this site. They are all bands or solo artists that I consider worth getting to know; they all have multiple strong albums that I enjoy.
Arcade Fire
For a band, there are essentially two different career trajectories for a recording career. Like Radiohead or The Beatles, you … Continue Reading Arcade Fire
The Band
The Band started as The Hawks, backing blues belter Ronnie Hawkins, before supporting Dylan on his controversial 1966 electric tour. … Continue Reading The Band
The Beach Boys
As a casual music listener it’s easy to hear The Beach Boys’ sun-drenched hits, and conclude that the Beach Boys were … Continue Reading The Beach Boys
The Beatles
From very early in their career and probably until the demise of Western civilization, Liverpool’s The Beatles will stand unchallenged … Continue Reading The Beatles
Big Star
Formed around former Box Tops lead singer Alex Chilton and Chris Bell, Big Star existed for a brief period of … Continue Reading Big Star
David Bowie
Born David Jones, and changing his name to avoid confusion with Davy Jones of The Monkees, Bowie pottered around as … Continue Reading David Bowie
Jeff Buckley
It’s not an overstatement that Jeff Buckley was one of the most singularly talented musicians of his generation; blessed with a … Continue Reading Jeff Buckley
Vashti Bunyan
English folk-singer Vashti Bunyan has had a unique career trajectory, which started when she recorded a Jagger-Richards song in the … Continue Reading Vashti Bunyan
Kate Bush
Kate Bush was discovered by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour as a teenager, and placed into a training scheme by … Continue Reading Kate Bush
The Byrds
The Byrds started as a folk band, but their single ‘Mr Tambourine Man’ crystallised their distinctive sound, with Roger McGuinn’s … Continue Reading The Byrds
John Cale
While his former Velvet Underground bandmate Lou Reed enjoyed a larger public profile, John Cale has always been like an … Continue Reading John Cale
The Clash
Perhaps the most celebrated band to emerge from the 1970’s punk movement, The Clash started as a straight-out punk band. But … Continue Reading The Clash
Elvis Costello
Of all the musicians who emerged in the wake of punk in the late 1970s, Elvis Costello perhaps has the … Continue Reading Elvis Costello
Creedence Clearwater Revival
1969 and 1970 were flagship years for rock music, with most major 1960s acts still releasing albums, and exciting new … Continue Reading Creedence Clearwater Revival
Marshall Crenshaw
Detroit’s Marshall Crenshaw doesn’t belong in a conversation of most important musicians of his generation, but he’s a talented craftsman, … Continue Reading Marshall Crenshaw
Crosby, Stills & Nash
David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash all started their careers in other notable sixties bands; Crosby left The Byrds … Continue Reading Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crowded House
Breaking up Split Enz after feeling too much pressure to fill his older brother’s shoes, Neil Finn retained drummer Paul … Continue Reading Crowded House
The Decemberists
The band most likely to win a Scrabble tournament, The Decemberists hail from Portland, Oregon, and are notable for flaunting their … Continue Reading The Decemberists
Nick Drake
A gentle sounding English folk-singer, Nick Drake hardly caused a ripple during his short life-time; he was too shy to … Continue Reading Nick Drake
Brian Eno
Brian Eno started his musical career as a member of Roxy Music, where he used his synthesiser to treat Phil … Continue Reading Brian Eno
Fairport Convention
Fairport Convention are the focal point for British folk rock of their generation. While they started their career as a … Continue Reading Fairport Convention
Faith No More
Faith No More’s origins go right back to 1979, when the rhythm section of Mike Bordin and Billy Gould formed … Continue Reading Faith No More
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac started life as a blues band in 1967, when Peter Green recruited Mick Fleetwood and John McVie as … Continue Reading Fleetwood Mac
Peter Gabriel
Leaving Genesis after six albums, at the age of 25, Peter Gabriel’s solo career initially felt like an attempt to … Continue Reading Peter Gabriel
Genesis
In the mid 1980s, Genesis and its spin-off projects – Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, and Mike and the Mechanics – … Continue Reading Genesis
The Go-Betweens
It’s difficult to explain the appeal of The Go-Betweens; Robert Forster and Grant McLennan are neither strikingly talented guitarists nor … Continue Reading The Go-Betweens
Haim
A trio of sisters from California, Haim take their name from Este, Danielle, and Alana’s surname. The group grew up … Continue Reading Haim
Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill was born and raised in New Jersey, and hit the big time as a member of The Fugees, … Continue Reading Lauryn Hill
The Hold Steady
The Hold Steady were formed in New York, but vocalist and lyricist Craig Finn was raised in Minneapolis, which a … Continue Reading The Hold Steady
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü started as a hardcore punk in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1979, with Bob Mould on guitar and vocals, … Continue Reading Hüsker Dü
Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell joined Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley as a guitarist and vocalist in acclaimed Southern Rock band, The Drive-By … Continue Reading Jason Isbell
Jellyfish
San Francisco’s Jellyfish were under appreciated at the time, but have since gained a devoted following. They’re classified as a … Continue Reading Jellyfish
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen first gained visibility when she made third place on Canadian Idol in 2007, performing songs by Janis … Continue Reading Carly Rae Jepsen
Billy Joel
As he helpfully informs us in the song ‘Leningrad’, Billy Joel was born in ‘49, a Cold War kid from … Continue Reading Billy Joel
Freedy Johnston
Freedy Johnston seems destined to be remembered as a one hit wonder for 1994’s ‘Bad Reputation’, a critically acclaimed but … Continue Reading Freedy Johnston
Joy Division
Joy Division were one of several prominent bands who were inspired by the Sex Pistols’ famous 1976 gig in Manchester … Continue Reading Joy Division
King Crimson
Originating from an unsuccessful 1968 album, The Cheerful Insanity of Giles, Giles and Fripp, guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael … Continue Reading King Crimson
Mark Kozelek
San Francisco quartet the Red House Painters (named after Tennesseean painting crew, The International League Of Revolutionary House Painters) made … Continue Reading Mark Kozelek
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were hastily formed by Yardbirds’ guitarist Jimmy Page in order to tour to fulfil contractual obligations – he … Continue Reading Led Zeppelin
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell isn’t always given the respect she deserves. In her prime she was often labelled in terms of her famous … Continue Reading Joni Mitchell
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues started their career as an R&B band, enjoying a hit with ‘Go Now’, fronted by future Wings … Continue Reading The Moody Blues
Van Morrison
Van Morrison began his career as the vocalist for the garage band Them, scoring hits with ‘Gloria’ and ‘Here Comes … Continue Reading Van Morrison
Gram Parsons (and The Flying Burrito Brothers)
Gram Parsons, or as 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die describes him, “Keith Richards’ citrus-heir drug-buddy”, is remembered … Continue Reading Gram Parsons (and The Flying Burrito Brothers)
Pavement
Because their recording career so neatly covers the 1990s – debut Slanted and Enchanted was recorded in 1991 and swansong Terror … Continue Reading Pavement
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam grew from the remnants of Mother Love Bone, whose singer Andrew Wood overdosed. Rhythm guitarist Stone Gossard and … Continue Reading Pearl Jam
Sam Phillips
Not to be confused with the Sun Records boss of the same name, Sam Phillips started her career as Christian … Continue Reading Sam Phillips
Pixies
New Zealand is a lovely country, with lots of sheep and mountains, and it’s a good idea to come and … Continue Reading Pixies
Portishead
Portishead were formed in the city of Bristol, where a vibrant, multi-cultural music scene spawned trip-hop in the early 1990s. … Continue Reading Portishead
Prefab Sprout
Formed around the songwriting talents of Durham’s Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout enjoyed some commercial success in the 1980s and early … Continue Reading Prefab Sprout
Queen
Bassist and vocalist Tim Staffell quit trio Smile, but not before introducing his flatmate Freddie Bulsara to the band, joining astronomy student … Continue Reading Queen
Radiohead
Named after a Talking Heads song, Radiohead are the most critically acclaimed band to emerge in the 1990s. They convened informally … Continue Reading Radiohead
R.E.M.
R.E.M. emerged in the wake of punk from Athens, Georgia, and started their career as an insular Indie band, with … Continue Reading R.E.M.
The Replacements
Yet another great musical act to come out of the state of Minnesota (see also Bob Dylan, Prince, Hüsker Dü, … Continue Reading The Replacements
The Rolling Stones
It’s widely acknowledged that The Rolling Stones hit their peak between 1968 and 1972 – right now I’m covering those … Continue Reading The Rolling Stones
Josh Rouse
Nebraskan born singer-songwriter Josh Rouse grew up inspired by British bands like The Smiths and The Cure, and his music … Continue Reading Josh Rouse
Roxy Music
Roxy Music were formed in 1971 by vocalist and keyboardist Bryan Ferry who, along with several of his band-mates, came … Continue Reading Roxy Music
Todd Rundgren
As a pop musician, Rundgren’s strength and weaknesses are relatively self-evident; on the positive side he’s a skilled musician on … Continue Reading Todd Rundgren
Bic Runga
New Zealand’s Bic Runga has only released four albums of original material, starting with her 1997 debut Drive, but despite … Continue Reading Bic Runga
Simon and Garfunkel
Simon and Garfunkel met as teenagers in a school play, where Simon played the White Rabbit and Garfunkel the Cheshire … Continue Reading Simon and Garfunkel
Paul Simon
It wasn’t surprising that Paul Simon launched a successful solo career after leaving Simon and Garfunkel, given that he wrote all of … Continue Reading Paul Simon
The Smiths
The unlikely pairing of socially awkward Steven Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, extroverted and four years Morrissey’s junior, formed the nucleus … Continue Reading The Smiths
Split Enz
Formed by a group of Auckland students in 1972, Split Enz are an iconic New Zealand band. With a distinctive … Continue Reading Split Enz
Bruce Springsteen
Based on his radio hits I once classed Bruce Springsteen as a lame rocker, responsible for lowest common denominator anthems such … Continue Reading Bruce Springsteen
Steely Dan
Steely Dan were the quiet achievers of the 1970s, recording an excellent series of meticulously written and arranged albums, with … Continue Reading Steely Dan
Sufjan Stevens
One of the most consistently fascinating musicians to emerge in the 21st century, Sufjan Stevens is nominally an alt-folk artist, … Continue Reading Sufjan Stevens
Sting
Conventional wisdom is that Gordon Sumner surrendered his credibility when he left The Police, letting his pretentiousness overcome him as … Continue Reading Sting
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses were formed in Manchester in 1983, around singer Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire. Drummer and backing … Continue Reading The Stone Roses
Straitjacket Fits
While it has a comparatively minuscule population base to draw from and is located in the deep south of New … Continue Reading Straitjacket Fits
Talk Talk
While there’s a natural progression between each of Talk Talk’s five studio albums, the distance between their 1982 synth-pop debut … Continue Reading Talk Talk
Talking Heads
Talking Heads began their career in legendary New York club CBGB, effectively the focal point for American New Wave; The Ramones, Television, … Continue Reading Talking Heads
James Taylor
With his warm voice, pretty guitar-picking, and introspective song writing, James Vernon Taylor was perhaps the figurehead of the singer-songwriter movement … Continue Reading James Taylor
Television
There were a plethora of musical acts that originated from the CBGBs club in New York in the mid-1970s; The … Continue Reading Television
Richard and Linda Thompson
Richard Thompson left Fairport Convention after 1970’s Full House, his reputation secured as an excellent songwriter and guitarist. He released … Continue Reading Richard and Linda Thompson
Trinity Roots
20th century New Zealand music was often Caucasian in origin, with the most internationally recognised musicians coming either from the … Continue Reading Trinity Roots
Townes Van Zandt
From a high profile Texan oil family, Townes Van Zandt was groomed as Texas governor, but inspired by singer-songwriters like … Continue Reading Townes Van Zandt
The Velvet Underground
1960s New York band The Velvet Underground have been cited as an influence by a legion of followers. Even if the … Continue Reading The Velvet Underground
Tom Waits
In New Zealand we have a sporting cliche, “a game of two halves”. This certainly applies to Tom Waits’ musical … Continue Reading Tom Waits
Jimmy Webb
Jimmy Webb wasn’t the only prominent songwriter to enjoy success in the 1960s, then launch his own solo career; Isaac … Continue Reading Jimmy Webb
Ween
It’s tempting to write Ween off as a novelty band – their biggest hit single, ‘Push th’ Little Daisies’, is … Continue Reading Ween
Paul Westerberg
His work in the 1980s with the beloved Replacements left Paul Westerberg with colossal expectations to meet with his solo … Continue Reading Paul Westerberg
The White Stripes
There are many examples in popular music of stripping away the superfluity and getting back to basics, but it doesn’t … Continue Reading The White Stripes
Wilco
Jeff Tweedy was always the junior partner in the pioneering alt-country band Uncle Tupelo, and when the group split into … Continue Reading Wilco
Bill Withers
It’s difficult to discuss this enduring 1970s acoustic soul singer without referencing one of my favourite jokes, so let’s get it … Continue Reading Bill Withers
Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder is one of the most outrageously talented figures to emerge from the popular music era. His first song … Continue Reading Stevie Wonder
XTC
Formed in Swindon around songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, XTC started their career as an abrasive new wave band … Continue Reading XTC
Yes
With their dazzling instrumental chops, lengthy songs, and lush harmonies, London’s Yes perhaps defined 1970s progressive rock better than any … Continue Reading Yes
Neil Young
Neil Young was born in Canada in 1945, where his father was a famous sports broadcaster. Before fame, he played … Continue Reading Neil Young
1960s Album Reviews
The following 1960s artists have their own dedicated page: The Band The Beach Boys The Beatles The Byrds Creedence Clearwater … Continue Reading 1960s Album Reviews
1970s Reviews
This page collects album reviews for artists who don’t don’t have enough good records for their own page, or who … Continue Reading 1970s Reviews
Punk and New Wave
These bands all started their careers between the second half of the 1970s and the early 1980s, and to at … Continue Reading Punk and New Wave
1980s Reviews
The following 1980s artists have their own dedicated page: Kate Bush Marshall Crenshaw Peter Gabriel Pixies Prefab Sprout R.E.M. The … Continue Reading 1980s Reviews
1990s Reviews
The following 1990s artists have their own dedicated page: Jeff Buckley Crowded House Faith No More Lauryn Hill Jellyfish Freedy … Continue Reading 1990s Reviews
2000s Reviews
The following 2000s artists have their own dedicated page. I’m still catching up on this millenium a lot – looking … Continue Reading 2000s Reviews
