In 1975, music critic Jon Landau, having seen Springsteen’s performance at the Harvard Square Theater, wrote the immortal words, “I saw rock and roll’s future, and its name is Bruce…
Darren Robbins
2 Min Read
Detroit’s Romantics had gone from local club faves to national up-and-comers with the release of their debut self-titled album and follow-up effort, “National Breakout”; both albums featuring the edgy power…
Darren Robbins
3 Min Read
When I first heard Tom Petty sing the words “even the losers get lucky sometimes”, I couldn’t help feel that this was a guy who, no matter how rich and…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
This one’s funky, nasty, and more than a little creepy. Taking a cue from Rick James and his self-proclaimed mix of “Punk Funk”, jazz percussionist Bill Summers and his group,…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
Anyone who was paying attention in 2006 surely caught wind of a great album by the Indiana-based band, The Elms. Based in John Cougar Mellencamp’s hometown of Seymour, Indiana and…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
With the release of Bruce Springsteen’s new single, “Radio Nowhere”, which sounds to me like a tune straight out of 1981 (that’s a good thing), I was suddenly filled with…
Darren Robbins
6 Min Read
If there was any good thing to come out of Tower Records going under last year, it was a chance for music geeks like myself to take a chance on…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Hopefully everyone has the day off – if not, here’s some commiseration courtesy of actor Bill Paxton and his art-rock/New Wave collective known as Martini Ranch – “How Can The…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
From the moment I heard Bruce Gary’s infectious drum beat on the intro to “My Sharona”, I was hooked. I had never heard of this band, The Knack. Then, of…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
One of the most dramatic success stories of 2007 is Amy Winehouse, who first captivated us with her stunningly retro hit, “Rehab”, then flew off the rails in a haze…
Darren Robbins
4 Min Read
What would I be if I didn’t share my one and only Prince story? Well, here goes: I spent a couple weeks cutting basic tracks at Paisley Park back in…
Jason Hare
9 Min Read
So last week in the comments, Amy asked if I ever hit up any charts from the ’70s. As I mentioned, I don’t often because I’m more familiar with songs…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
If you guys are anything at all like me, you were sad to see Rock & Roll Jeopardy go off the air before you were personally able to administer a…
Darren Robbins
2 Min Read
During my quest to find a new label home for my upcoming CD, I figured it would be beneficial to pass along some of the things I’ve learned in the…
Darren Robbins
2 Min Read
I was such a wee lad when the first Boston album came out in 1976 that I remember little else from the time, but I distinctly remember how much an…
Jason Hare
6 Min Read
Well, howdy again, folks, and welcome back to another not-so-exciting wusspedition! (I just made that word up!) Today’s another one of my favorites from the early ’80s! America – You…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
I dig Snow Patrol. There, I said it. I liked Snow Patrol back when they were just an Irish band getting some BBC airplay for their first album. In hindsight,…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Live from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport Men’s Restroom, it’s Senator Larry Craig’s Dance Machine! “Good evening, everyone. Let’s get this party started with a big favorite where I’m from…The…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
I’ve said it a few times before…don’t get me started gushing about The Human League’s Dare, quite possibly my favorite album of the ’80s. No matter how many times a…
Scott Malchus
1 Min Read
It took us awhile, but Sophie and I finally completed “Charlotte’s Web” tonight. Ironically, I leafed through “The Elements of Style” (3rd Edition) by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Nothing wrong in Blog-land, folks:at least not here:at least not that I’m aware of. I just kinda ran out of time this weekend, for everything, and wasn’t able to pull…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Oasis – D’You Know What I MeanThe Innocence Mission – My Sisters Return from IrelandZZ Top – Woke Up With WoodThe Supernaturals – It Doesn’t Matter Any MoreBeach Boys –…
Darren Robbins
3 Min Read
(what are you lookin’ at?) Today being Friday, I figured I’d keep things a little light and pay props to one of the good guys. My buddy Jeff over at…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Watch the new Willie Wisely video, starring the always-lovely Jenna Fischer: Pitchfork interviews Daryl Hall, and the results are fascinating; MamaPop links to a compilation of Alex Trebek’s saltier moments;…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
Here it is: The song that killed the power ballad. There were bands who had hits with power ballads after Steelheart killed the genre to death with “I’ll Never Let…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
If it’s Friday, it must be Bootleg City — and this week, our show comes to us courtesy of our good friend Old Davy, who had the foresight to record…
Jason Hare
11 Min Read
1984, you never fail to disappoint me. Here are the songs topping the charts on August 25, 1984! 10. If Ever You’re In My Arms Again – Peabo Bryson Amazon…
John C. Hughes
2 Min Read
The tail end of the ’80s saw a small explosion of female-fronted jangle-pop bands from the UK like The Sundays, Transvision Vamp and The Darling Buds cut a psychedelic, sugary…