European Craft Brews: Is a New Style Emerging?
As I’ve spent the last week traveling in Italy and Malta (and will continue in Italy and France over the next two weeks), I’ve noticed an interesting potential trend emerging […]
Ainokura: Traditional, Peaceful and Very Quiet
I timed my arrival perfectly in the traditional village of Ainokura—right after the tour buses had departed. That allowed me to walk into the village and experience it as it […]
What Kind of Signaler Are You?
When I look at the signal switch on my car, I sometimes see an image of chicken wings. Why you ask? Because, like chicken wings, I wonder if it will somehow […]
Biking from Vienna to Budapest Along the Danube: What You Need to Know
Biking from Vienna to Budapest along the Danube was a fabulous experience. Here’s what you need to know…
The Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Route
The thing that struck me the most on the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage route is this: I passed dozens of statues just sitting by the trail. Many of these are, according […]
Top 100 Albums of 2018: #25-1
#25: Natalie Prass, The Future and the Past The Future and the Past starts off with “Oh My,” a slinky slice of ‘70s dance pop. “Short Court Style” and “Sisters” […]
Top 100 Albums of 2018: #50-26
#50: Gulfer, Dog Bless Canadian indie rock group that plays in odd time signatures, which often change (sometimes multiply) within the same track. Tempos shift, the music starts and stops […]
Top 100 Albums of 2018: #75-51
#75: Preoccupations, New Material Goth electronica, like an angrier, less dance-friendly New Order with pounding percussion. “Decompose” is driven by an urgent triplet bass figure and augmented by a downward […]
Top 100 Albums of 2018: #100-76
#100: Kyle Craft, Full Circle Nightmare If Kyle Craft’s voice and music doesn’t give it away, his hairdo (see the album cover) will: ’70s glam rock. You’ll hear lots of […]
Top 100 Albums of 2018: Honorable Mention
This year I decided to list some honorable mentions to cover albums that didn’t fit into my top 100 but which are worthy of mentioning. Some of these are a tad tongue in cheek! Best Instrumentals Given the importance I place on melody and lyrics, I’ve always struggled with how to […]