GINA BIRCH I Play My Bass Loud (Third Man) — In certain circles, Gina Birch is a legend. As bassist and vocalist for post-punk icons the Raincoats, Birch helped create music that was foundational to all manner of off-kilter, independently … Continue reading Medium Rotation — I Play My Bass Loud; Shook
42. The Psychedelic Furs, Forever Now (1982) “I enjoy surprising,” explained Richard Butler, the frontman of the Psychedelic Furs, while making the rounds to promote the band’s third album, Forever Now. “We have many hardcore fans, fans of the first … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #42 and #41
The Epic Return of Lucinda Williams by Bronwen Dickey Bronwen Dickey’s profile of Lucinda Williams is utterly splendid. It helps, of course, that the musician has lived a colorful life. In the article, Dickey demonstrates a flair for identifying the … Continue reading Outside Reading — Gravel Roads edition
There are all sorts of reasons I’m susceptible to “My PG Country Summer,” the new single from Origami Angel, There’s the gooey guitar lines that mark it as a fit and proper representation of emo rock and the breakneck pace. … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Origami Angel, “My PG Country Summer”
44. Genesis, Abacab (1981) In many ways, Abacab, the eleventh studio album by Genesis, was a stern rejection of the band’s legacy. Through the entirety of the nineteen-seventies, the group were stalwarts of progressive rock, releasing studio albums that strung … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #44 and #43
46. Men at Work, Business as Usual (1981) Columbia Records executives didn’t think U.S. would warm to Business as Usual, the debut album by the Australian band Men at Work. After rapidly building a reputation as aces live band in … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #46 and #45
48. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, I Love Rock ‘n Roll (1981) “I feel like I’ve paid a lot of dues,” Joan Jett told an Associated Press reporter when the title cut to her sophomore solo LP — and first … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #48 and #47
Annie Blackman does indeed sound like what anyone would reasonably expect from a young, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter. “The Well,” her new single, has a tender, plaintive quality to it, spelling out the challenge of living and loving in the world as … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Annie Blackman, “The Well”
CAROLINE POLACHEK Desire, I Want to Turn Into You (Perpetual Novice) — The first words Caroline Polachek sings on her new album, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, are “Welcome to my island.” Delivered in a tone that bridges … Continue reading Medium Rotation — Desire, I Want to Turn Into You; in|FLUX
50. The Replacements, Pleased to Meet Me (1987) According to bassist Tommy Stinson, the Replacements went to Memphis expecting, maybe even intending, to implode. Arguably, such an outcome wouldn’t have been a surprise to anybody. The Minneapolis band was as … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #50 and #49
Coffee for Two 