Cold War Kids Bring a Satisfying Conclusion to the ‘New Age Norms’ Trilogy
Cold War Kids’ New Age Norms 3 takes some big swings and mostly lands with more of a good thing from an essential act in pop-rock.
Tony DeGenaro
Tony DeGenaro is a writing teacher and youth arts instructor in Metro Detroit. He is a Youngstown, Ohio native, distance runner, baseball & pop culture fan, friend of dogs everywhere and proud doggie dad to Desi the Dachshund.
Kanye West’s ‘Donda’ Is Not Great Art
During one of Donda’s many prayers, Kanye West sings, “this is not about me”. We see him for who he really is since the release of Yeezus.
An Elegy for J Dilla on the 15th Anniversary of ‘The Shining’
J Dilla’s The Shining debuted 15 years ago and remains an essential collaborative effort between the master producer and his favorite rappers.
Jay-Z and Kanye West’s ‘Watch the Throne’ Ten Years Later
The whole point of Watch the Throne is that we aren’t and never will be on the level of Kanye West and Jay-Z. But they were on that level.
Blood That’s Still Pumping: 20 Years of the White Stripes’ ‘White Blood Cells’
Twenty years later, White Blood Cells remains the perfect type of White Stripes album. This is the White Stripes at their absolute best.
Jan de Bont’s ‘Twister’ Wreaks Havoc for 25 Years
In the 25 years since Jan de Bont released Twister, it has not stopped tearing through my life. This is my devastating love story.
Unlocking Death Cab for Cutie’s ‘Codes and Keys’ 10 Years On
A full decade later, Death Cab for Cutie’s Codes and Keys is far from the disappointment fans initially perceived.
Steady, As It Goes: The Raconteurs’ ‘Broken Boy Soldiers’ Turns 15
The Raconteurs’ Broken Boy Soldiers sets itself apart from anything like it, even 15 years later. The band’s debut somehow starts two great stories.
Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi’s Movie-less Soundtrack ‘Rome’ Still Resonates 10 Years Later
Rome—a movie soundtrack without a movie—is an homage to Spaghetti Westerns that still echoes a decade after its release.