209. Yes, 90125 (1983) As work commenced on the album 90125, Yes was no more. The venerable prog rock band, already unsettled by lineup changes and other internal complications, decided to call it quits after the tour in support of … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #209 to #207
212. M+M, Mystery Walk (1984) Like John Mellencamp finally completing the long, compromise-laden transition away from the unwanted performing pseudonym that stuck him with Cougar as a moniker for more than a decade, Martha Johnson and Mark Gane were finally … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #212 to #210
In Wisconsin: Stowing Mowers, Pleasing Bees by Anne Readel Given what’s happening this weekend, it seems fitting to share a couple articles that have ties — for me, anyway — to the City of Wonderful Water. The first is this … Continue reading Outside Reading — Flight of the Bumblebee edition
Anna Calvi does not underachieve. After being hired to compose the score for late-series episodes of Peaky Blinders, Calvi just kept going, writing some songs inspired by the show’s main character, Tommy Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy). “Ain’t No Grave” … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Anna Calvi, “Ain’t No Grave”
This coming weekend, I’ll participate in The World’s Largest Trivia ContestTM. As per tradition, this week is filled with idle reminiscing about memorable answers in past years. As I’ve noted before, my team has a particular fondness and affinity for … Continue reading Trivia Answer of the Day — Cracker
215. Mighty Lemon Drops, World Without End (1988) “We have found ourselves musically,” David Newton, guitarist for the Mighty Lemon Drops, told Sounds shortly before the release of the band’s third LP, World Without End. “With this album, our influences … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #215 to #213
Musicians Are Begging Fans to Mask Up at Concerts. Here’s Why. by Nina Corcoran Writing for Pitchfork, Nina Corcoran relates the enormous difficulty smaller and mid-tier acts are facing as they adjust to touring, their main source of revenue, in … Continue reading Outside Reading — Masks at the Merch Table
Shilpa Ray has never struck me as an artist who is reticent about sharing her heated thoughts. Her new single, “Lawsuits and Suicide,” takes aim at a former abusive partner who followed the adhered to the common pattern of greeting … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Shilpa Ray, “Lawsuits and Suicide”
This series of posts covers my long, beloved history interacting with the medium of radio, including the music that flowed through the airwaves. In my experience, working in a broadcast studio is usually an act of relative isolation. Although there … Continue reading Radio Days — On the Air for Trivia Weekend
218. Golden Palominos, Visions of Excess (1985) “Everybody on the record is a favorite musician of mine, and they also happen to be my friends” Anton Fier said of the fluctuating Golden Palominos lineup on the album Visions of Excess. … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #218 to #216
Coffee for Two 