When I spent time in the broadcast booth at various college radio stations, one of the finest gifts that came with it was the chance to flip through the ever-changing batch of new music that sat on the shelf. It … Continue reading One for Friday — The Magic Numbers, “This Love”
In the best way, Grizzly Bear makes music that nags at me. Although there’s the occasional track that is immediately arresting — “Yet Again,” from 2012’s Shields, for example — but my predominant experience with the group’s music is one … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf: Painted Ruins
4. Talking Heads, “Burning Down the House” The highest-charting single of the Talking Heads’ career came about because drummer Chris Frantz attended a Parliament-Funkadelic show at Madison Square Garden. Energized by the propulsive sound he heard coming from the stage … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 4
During my first academic year at my college radio station, from the fall of 1988 through the spring of 1989, there was one song I was desperate to hear, even as it remained agonizingly elusive. Before I showed up at … Continue reading One for Friday — Grant Hart, “2541”
5. The Smiths, “How Soon is Now?” “What is Johnny doing? That’s just noise.” Geoff Travis, the founder and chief of Rough Trade Records, wasn’t pleased with “How Soon Is Now?” when he first heard it. As lead singer Morrissey … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 5
I appreciate those songwriters who can look to nearly inspiration in plying their trade. The annals of pop music is overstuffed with songs that offer up generic views of romance and heartbreak, but it takes a special craftsman to pen … Continue reading One for Friday — Robyn Hitchcock, “(A Man’s Gotta Know His Limitations) Briggs”
Sometimes comedy illuminates hard truths with a pointed urgency that other means can’t quite achieve. Sometimes comedy is just funny. This series of posts is mostly about the former instances, but the latter is valuable, too. Happy Labor Day, friends! … Continue reading Laughing Matters — Lisa Simpson, “Union Strike Folk Song”
6. The Clash, “Rock the Casbah” In many respects, “Rock the Casbah” was the beginning of the end for the Clash. The third single off the of the album Combat Rock, which was released in 1982, “Rock the Casbah” first … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 250 Songs, 1979 – 1989, 6
In this space, I tend to venerate the music spun with vigor on college radio during my first year as a member of the brethren of left of the dial broadcasters. I think that’s fairly understandable. Most music fans cling … Continue reading One for Friday: The Triffids, “Holy Water”
In November, Randy Newman will turn seventy-four years old. Despite his advancing years, he sounds exactly the same as he always has in his latest full-length release, Dark Matter, his eleventh studio album. That’s not a testament to virile youthfulness … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf: Dark Matter
Coffee for Two 