Album of the Week: Black Keys, “Let’s Rock”
The Black Keys’ latest release (their first in five years) ought to win the “Truth in Advertising” award. (If there isn’t such an award, there should be.) ”Let’s Rock” captures […]
Album of the Week: Bruce Springsteen, Western Stars
After over 50 years as a working musician (an entire lifetime: “I’ve never held an honest job in my entire life!,” he told us during his Broadway show), you’d think […]
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 […]
The Best Albums I’ve Heard (So Far) in 2016
Fantastic Negrito, The Last Days of Oakland The most powerful album I’ve heard in along time. An epic concept album that takes in the economic divide, gentrification, racism, sexism, and […]
My Top 100 Albums of 2015: Some Observations
Now that the calculations are complete, the posts are posted, and the tweets are being tweeted, I’ve had some time to sit back and reflect on my top 100 albums […]
My Top Albums of 2015: #25-1 (with commentary)
#25: Viet Cong, Viet Cong A gloomy and dark outing characterized by extensive use of electronic sounds and oddly harmonized vocals. Absolutely mesmerizing. #24: The Tallest Man on Earth, […]
My Top Albums of 2015: #50-26 (with commentary)
#50: Of Monsters and Men, Beneath the Skin Proving that their debut wasn’t a fluke, this Icelandic quintet produced another strong collection of dramatic, melodic folk-rock with some baroque touches. […]
My Top Albums of 2015: #51-100
Ben Caplan, Birds With Broken Wings Algiers, Algiers Lady Lamb, After Public Service Broadcasting, The Race for Space Blitzen Trapper, All Across This Land Aaron Lee Tasjan, In the Blazes […]
Top 100 Albums of 2015: Who Didn’t Make the Cut
Don’t let the title mislead you! While none of these albums made my top 100, to make it this far, I listened to each of the following records at least twice (and often three or four times) before deciding that they just didn’t quite cut it for the top 100. […]
My Top 100 Albums of 2014: #50-26 (with commentary!)
#50: LP, Forever For Now LP (the simple stage name chosen by singer-songwriter Laura Pergolizzi) creates impeccable, urgent pop songs that ride on her powerful, expressive and emotive voice. Just […]