U2’s Creative Fire from Inferno to Embers
U2 burned brightest from 1984’s The Unforgettable Fire to the ZooTv Tour’s end in 1993.
pop rock
Michelle Branch Released Perfect Pop-Rock LP ‘The Spirit Room’ 20 Years Ago
At only 17, Michelle Branch created The Spirit Room, an album that perfectly balances an indie approach with mainstream-friendly songwriting.
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.
Ellen Foley Is Back in Swing of Things with ‘Fighting Words’
Ready to release her fifth solo album, New York triple-threat Ellen Foley revisits a career filled with legends of the stage, screen and recording studio, along with “The Thing That Will Never Die”.
Summer 1981 and the Start of ’80s Music
“’80s music” is often a short-hand for radio-friendly pop songs that are New Wavey, synthy, maybe a little goofy, a little overproduced, ridiculously catchy.
TXT Show Impressive Range on ‘The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE’
TXT’s The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE makes bold statements about the Korean band’s expansive music.
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.
50 Years Ago Todd Rundgren Wrong-Footed the World with ‘Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren’
Fifty years ago, Todd Rundgren’s 1971 LP, Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren took on the growing army of singer-songwriters who clogged the charts and won. Sadly, nobody cared.
Counting Crows Find New Inspiration in the Familiar on ‘Butter Miracle, Suite One’
Counting Crows celebrate 30 years of music with a four-song suite rich in imagery and emotion. Adam Duritz is a contender for the best songwriter of his generation.
Natalia Lafourcade Reinvents Traditional Mexican Music on Her New Album
Natalia Lafourcade chats about her latest album, Un Canto por Mexico Vol. 2, which re-imagines the traditional music of Mexico.
Liz Phair Enjoys an Assured Return with the Strong ‘Soberish’
On Soberish, Liz Phair pens a collection of tunes that marry her candid musings with polished, accomplished California rock sounds.
Flyte’s ‘This Is Really Going to Hurt’ Sports Two Distinct Styles
Flyte’s This Is Really Going to Hurt begins as gentle indie-pop but swerves hard into ’60s pop pastiche about halfway through.