Everything’s a Dollar in This Box: Tom Waits’ ‘Swordfishtrombones’ at 40
Tom Waits’ 1983 album Swordfishtrombones signified a seismic shift in the singer-songwriter’s sound. His music would never be the same again.
Chris Ingalls
Chris is a Massachusetts native who spent seven years as a broadcast journalist in the U.S. Navy and was also a videotape editor for a CBS affiliate TV station, a newspaper editor at a military public affairs office in Naples, Italy, and a videographer for a cancer research institute. His currently works as an internal communications manager for a large Boston hospital. He was born in 1969 and has been a rabid music fan since at least 1970, thanks to his three older siblings. A PopMatters writer since 2016, Chris is also an occasional guest on the music podcast "Losing My Opinion," and is on Bluesky, Instagram, and X @Ingalls1969. He lives in the leafy suburbs outside of Boston with his wife, son, dog, two cats, and lots of records.
Jessica Ackerley, Kevin Cheli, and Gahlord DeWald Create Experimental ‘Submerging Silently’
Jessica Ackerley and co. offer a fascinating, experimental one-off recording that sees three musicians playing off each other with wild, unpredictable results.
Gregory Alan Isakov Embraces Elegant Simplicity on ‘Appaloosa Bones’
Gregory Alan Isakov hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but as Appaloosa Bones‘ understated beauty and grace prove, few artists can do it quite as well as him.
Requiem Construct Heavy, Dreamy Soundscapes on ‘POPulist Agendas’
The first full-length release from Requiem packs an emotional, post-rock punch with its unique sense of adventure and calming, cathartic hope in the darkness.
Ben Gunning Creates Gorgeous Electropop From Another Planet
Prolific, Toronto musician Ben Gunning makes weird but oddly pleasant experimental music on an album that’s a “solo” work in every sense of the word.
M. Ward Exits Hiatus with Dreamy ‘Supernatural Thing’
The first album of all-new material in three years from prolific singer-songwriter M. Ward embraces country-folk noir, with help from some welcome guest stars.
Upper Wilds Ponder the Enormity of the Cosmos with ‘Jupiter’
Alt-rock trio Upper Wilds’ energy and enthusiasm are seemingly endless, and like the universe, they take great pains to explore and chronicle on Jupiter.
R.E.M. Reissue Two Late-Period Albums on Vinyl
Two of R.E.M.’s less-celebrated albums get the vinyl reissue treatment. Are they really as non-essential as many fans claim?
Bill Evans Trio’s ‘Waltz for Debby’ Gets Pristine Vinyl Reissue
One of the legendary Bill Evans Trio’s seminal recordings is back in circulation, with stunning sound quality and faithfully reproduced artwork.
Dudu Tassa and Jonny Greenwood Bridge Cultural, Musical Gaps on Stunning ‘Jarak Qaribak’
Israeli musician Dudu Tassa and Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood join forces with various vocalists for a fresh, inspiring interpretation of Middle Eastern music.
Laura Wolf Brings Emotional Resonance to Glitches and Samples on ‘Shelf Life’
Laura Wolf takes us on a true sonic adventure, marrying glitchy samples with emotional execution. It makes you want to hear more from this unique voice.
Dave Scanlon’s ‘Taste Like Labor’ Is Quietly Intense
Dave Scanlon’s Taste Like Labor straddles a line between dark folk and fractured indie pop on his first solo album in more than two years.