Arthur Russell’s Underground Genius
Arthur Russell biography Travels Over Feeling is an elegy for a generation of underground artists that died too soon and a requiem for a vanished New York.
Christopher J. Lee
Christopher J. Lee is a contributing music writer at PopMatters. He spent some of his best years as a college radio DJ during the 1990s. Follow him on Twitter at @joonhai.
‘Louder Than You Think’: The Improbable Origins of Pavement
Louder Than You Think documents the early origins of indie rock’s Pavement through the cracked life and times of the band’s first drummer, Gary Young.
Thurston Moore Finds Levity on ‘Flow Critical Lucidity’
Flow Critical Lucidity may not supersede Thurston Moore’s past career peaks. However, it reveals the unbounded possibilities of transformation available to him.
Better to Burn Out: Neil Young’s ‘Archives Vol. III (1976-1987)’
Neil Young’s Archives Vol. III (1976-1987) is the most substantial of his three archival releases, providing an ecstatic vision of what it means to “burn out”.
Galaxie 500 Remain Celestial and Earthbound on New Collection
Uncollected Noise New York ’88-’90 is a new compilation of unreleased tracks, B-sides, and rarities that restores and dismantles the myth of Galaxie 500.
Jamie xx Arrives Fashionably Late with ‘In Waves’
Nearly a decade after his debut, Jamie xx returns with a long-awaited sophomore LP that stylishly swells and retreats with danceable beats and moody romanticism.
Susanna Distills Life with ‘Meditations on Love’
Norway’s Susanna aims to distill the world and bring it down to a set of uncomfortable truths on this album. Love will tear us apart again and again.
Bad Brains Reissue the Timeless ‘I Against I’
Canonical DC hardcore act Bad Brains remain as vital as ever. Almost 40 years after I Against I’s initial release, it’s remarkable how timeless it sounds.
Guided by Voices Reign on ‘Strut of Kings’
Going on 40-plus years, Guided by Voices return with a tight and upbeat album full of pomp and swagger that ranks as a late-career best.
Colin Newman and Malka Spigel on Nanocluster, Collaboration, and Musical Independence
Colin Newman and Malka Spigel discuss their collaborative project Nanocluster and the importance of collaboration to maintain artistic independence.
The Folk Implosion Begin Again with ‘Walk Thru Me’
After a quarter century, Lou Barlow and John Davis of the Folk Implosion return with an album that testifies to their enduring friendship.
MONO Recommit with Life-Affirming ‘Oath’
MONO return with a post-rock album about faith and commitment, which serves as a fitting epitaph for their long-term artistic collaboration with Steve Albini.