Album Reviews
Smoking Popes
Born to Quit (2024 Vinyl Reissue)
Jun 25, 2024 Web Exclusive
For a short time in the mid-‘90s, Chicago’s Smoking Popes burned bright, and this vinyl reissue of the band’s second album attests to why they were great.
Tom Verlaine
Warm and Cool (2024 Vinyl Reissue)
Jun 24, 2024 Web Exclusive
Tom Verlaine’s instrumental album, Warm and Cool, was released in 1992 but no longer needs be defined in the context of the year of its release. It’s moody and mesmerizing tones in this vinyl reissue deserve reevaluation.
Pale Saints
In Ribbons (30th Anniversary Reissue)
Jun 21, 2024 Web Exclusive
Lush, Ride, Slowdive, Swervedriver, Chapterhouse, and other bands from the early ’90s UK shoegaze/dream-pop explosion have reunited in this century, all to rapturous audiences and critical acclaim as some have made new records as well.
News
X Announce the Release of Final Album and Share Video for New Track “Big Black X”
Jun 25, 2024
Parting after 47 years, legendary Los Angeles punk band X have announced their final album, Smoke & Fiction, featuring the original line up. Today, they share its lead single “Big Black X,” which reflects on their history.
Interviews
Tomer Capone on Playing Frenchie in “The Boys”
Jun 13, 2024 Web Exclusive
We sat down with Tomer Capone to hear more about his creative background, the trust he feels playing Frenchie, and how The Boys is a “jackpot” for an actor.
Sitting Down With The Cast Of “The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed”
May 12, 2024 Web Exclusive
The cast of The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed sits down for a discussion about the indie comedy’s commitment to authenticity.
Pleased to meet you
Sunday (1994) on Love, Dark Humor, and Leaps of Faith
Apr 30, 2024 Web Exclusive
Sunday (1994) recently made waves with their stunning debut single, “Tired Boy.” Not only does the single resonate like a lost classic, but the band also arrived with a fully formed visual aesthetic.
Lists
Seven Music Documentary Films and Series From 2024 to Watch (and Three to Skip)
Jun 16, 2024
Music documentaries and series are a sure thing, or so it seems. 2024 has seen quite a few of them hit theatres and even more turn up on streamers. Among these are the high-profile ones such as the newly restored 1970 film, The Beatles: Let it Be and Frank Marshall’s The Beach Boys, not to mention Taylor Swift|The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version), all on Disney+. Lil Nas X released his interpretation of Madonna’s Truth or Dare with his behind-the-scenes tour film, Long Live Montero (HBO). There is also Eno, the groundbreaking generative documentary feature on Brian Eno. Just as fascinating as the biographical docs are topical ones such as the recently released How Music Got Free (Paramount+).
Coming soon is Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple (HBO), which shines a much deserved spotlight on the multi-hyphenate talent, and I Am: Celine Dion (Prime Movies), which shares the singer’s challenges with Moersch-Woltman Syndrome.
Whether or not you’re into the artists, subjects, or the music, there is a voyeuristic and vicarious thrill in watching musicians, both in their professional setting and personal lives. Music documentary films and series are often worth the time—except when they’re not. Here are seven must-watch music docs and series released in 2024, and three from this year that you can skip.
Live reviews
Pallbearer @ Underground Arts, Philadelphia, US, June 16, 2024
Jun 25, 2024
Doom metal merchants Pallbearer shook Philadelphia’s Underground Arts venue to its foundations earlier this month
Blog
Gene Clark – Reflecting on the 50th Anniversary of 1974’s “No Other”
May 24, 2024
Gene Clark was born (and is buried) in Tipton, Missouri and like the land in the center of the country he was deeply conflicted so he left home behind, moving to L.A. so he could become a singer/songwriter.
Current Issue
Issue #72
Apr 19, 2024 Issue #72 - The ‘90s Issue with The Cardigans and Thurston Moore
Most Recent
- X Announce the Release of Final Album and Share Video for New Track “Big Black X” (News) —
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- Kim Gordon Shares Video for New Song “ECRP” (News) —
- MJ Lenderman Announces New Album, Shares Lead Single “She’s Leaving You” (News) —
- Aloe Blacc Shares Cover of Blur’s “Song 2” (News) —