544. The Lords of the New Church, The Lords of the New Church (1982) “I think that first record was really built on pure adrenaline,” drummer Nick Turner said of The Lords of the New Church several years after its … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #544 to #541
I became a devotee of singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy shortly after the release of her debut album, Emotions and Math. As often as I returned to the studio recorded etched into that record’s grooves, my regular urge to once again hear … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Margaret Glaspy, “Devotion”
This series of posts covers my long, beloved history interacting with the medium of radio, including the music that flowed through the airwaves. By happenstance, I was already scheduled to sit in the air chair at my college radio alma … Continue reading Radio Days — Then and Now: March 15, 2020
548. Hunters & Collectors, Fate (1988) I.R.S. Records had the Australian band Hunters & Collectors under contract for U.S., but the label executives didn’t particularly like how, well, Australian the band sounded. The band released their fifth studio album, What’s … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #548 to #545
Now that Margo Price has moved on from Third Man Records, it’s evidently time for her to make some music that sounds like it would have been snugly at home on Jack White’s Nashville-based label. For the lead single from … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Margo Price, “Twinkle Twinkle”
552. Various Artists, Lonely is an Eyesore (1987) The 4AD record label launched in 1980, and quickly developed a reputation for haunting, esoteric pop music, the ethereal quality of the various acts’ creative enhanced by the striking cover art provided … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #552 to #549
Burn it all down, Chicks. Burn it. All. Down. Continue reading This Week’s Model — Dixie Chicks, “Gaslighter”
These posts are about the songs that just barely failed to cross the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. There were many clearly identifiable results of … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Wide Open Spaces”
The first time Frances Quinlan released recorded music for the listening pleasure of a larger community, she did so under the guise of a band. I suppose the curious might have considered the moniker Hop Along, Queen Ansleis to belong … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf — Likewise
556. Guadalcanal Diary, Walking in the Shadow of the Big Man (1984) The members of Guadalcanal Diary claimed that the title of their debut album derived from some misheard lyrics from a gospel groups performance at a street festival. The … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #556 to #553
Coffee for Two 