‘Dr. Cholmondley Repents’ Collects the Jazz Butcher’s Odds and Sods
Have mercy! This sprawling, four-disc roundup Dr. Cholmondley Repents is a fine entry point to the wonderful world of British indie legends, the Jazz Butcher.
jangle pop
The Jazz Butcher’s Final Album Is ‘The Highest in the Land’
The final, sadly posthumous album from the great Pat Fish (aka the Jazz Butcher) shows the British indie-pop legend was taken much too soon.
Robyn Hitchcock’s Remote Concert “Live from Tubby’s House” Lifts the Spirits
The last live performance I saw before the pandemic shutdown was Robyn Hitchcock. Watching his remote concert from my bed, I can say I enjoyed it just as much.
40 Years Ago ‘Pretenders II’ Avoided the Dreaded Sophomore Slump
The hits on Pretenders II outweigh misses, and as the last recording of the Pretenders’ original lineup, the LP documents them at the height of their powers.
Barenaked Ladies Start Strong But Fade Fast on ‘Detour de Force’
On their 17th studio album Detour de Force, Barenaked Ladies semi-successfully walk the line between smart adult contemporary and cringey dad rock.
Crowded House Prove Pop Music is Still in Good Hands With ‘Dreamers Are Waiting’
Dreamers Are Waiting sees Crowded House relaxing into their new millennium renaissance. Pop music remains safe in their hands.
The Chills Find Energy and Focus on ‘Scatterbrain’
Philosophical lyrics, earworms, and sonic creativity combine on the Chills’ engaging new album Scatterbrain. Thoughts of our eventual end permeate the album.
The 10 Best R.E.M. Albums
R.E.M.’s career falls into three periods: the underground I.R.S. Records years, the Warner Bros. “wonder years”, and the post-Bill Berry output.
The Rose Petals Remember Warren G. Harding With “Welcome to the Big Top” (premiere)
A once-beloved U.S. president’s legacy ended in tatters amid scandals. Learn about it in the infectious, jangling rock of the Rose Petals’ “Welcome to the Big Top”.
10 Songs That Will Make You Love R.E.M.
These ten R.E.M. songs will grab your ear instantly or act as gateways to the band’s more idiosyncratic qualities.
Hear the New, Classic Pop of the Parson Red Heads’ “Turn Around” (premiere)
The Parson Red Heads' "Turn Around" is a pop tune, but pop as heard through ears more attuned to AM radio's glory days rather than streaming playlists and studio trickery.
London Indie-Poppers the Motive Impress on “You” (premiere)
Southwest London's the Motive concoct catchy, indie-pop earworms with breezy melodies, jangly guitars, and hooky riffs, as on their latest single "You".