Michael Feuerstack Matches Questions with Infectious Grooves
In Eternity Mongers, Michael Feuerstack proves his mettle as a fine, seasoned songwriter and captures soulful innocence and throws in killer hooks.
pop rock
Aaron Lee Tasjan Is Seriously Funny on ‘Stellar Evolution’
Aaron Lee Tasjan often goes for a laugh with broad puns and subtle references to pop culture. Yes, he is funny, but he is also serious, seriously funny.
Chastity Belt Ruminate on Insecurities on ‘Live Laugh Love’
Chastity Belt are dovish and disarming on Live Laugh Love, which explores the self. It’s unadulterated self-expression in its purest form.
Those Days Are Gone Forever: Steely Dan’s ‘Pretzel Logic’ at 50
Steely Dan’s 50-year-old third album, Pretzel Logic, conceals its dark satirical vision of modern society beneath immaculate studio production.
Jack Antonoff Searches for Bleachers on ‘Bleachers’
Bleachers finds its primary strength in its serenity. Gentle moments of introspection about love’s redemptive power illuminate some of the brightest moments.
This Is Your Life: XTC’s ‘Oranges & Lemons’ at 35
In 1989, XTC released Oranges & Lemons, one of their finest. There are nods to trippy 1960s touchstones, but it’s more of a lush, power-pop celebration.
60 Years On: The Animals, the Hollies, and British Beat
As these 1964 albums from the Animals and the Hollies show, the music of the beat boom was characterized by excitement, reverence, and sound.
Pop-Rock Not for the Masses: Nellie McKay’s ‘Get Away From Me’ at 20
Nellie McKay is appealing but with an edge, offering hooks but also barbs, looking back at the past and ahead of her time. She could be a pop star in 2024.
Matt DeMello “Carries That Weight” of an Ambitious Beatles Tribute
New York-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Matt DeMello talks about his new Abbey Road covers album, as well as his own idiosyncratic compositions.
We Can Work It Out: Covering the Beatles’ 1962-1966 Period
What’s remarkable about We Can Work It Out is how it emphasizes the Beatles’ foundation-shaking effect on culture that occurred almost from the beginning.
‘Doble Vida’ at 35: Soda Stereo’s Great Consolidation in Perspective
When Soda Stereo’s Doble Vida reached the hands of their fervorous fans, it was clear: the boys wanted to make it big – even bigger than they already were.
Dori Freeman Says ‘Do You Recall’ Instead of Asking
Dori Freeman’s music celebrates how one of life’s simple pleasures can raise us above our problems and give us the strength to continue.