The great thrill of buying a new CD sight-unseen is having your faith rewarded by noting that the sounds coming from your speakers are pleasing to the ear and that…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
Toots Thielemans – One More for the Road (2006)purchase this album (Amazon) In 1984, at what was probably the absolute peak of his popularity, Billy Joel and MTV decided to…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
Dixie Chicks – Taking the Long Way (2006)purchase this album (Amazon) I’m no big fan of the Dixie Chicks, or of country music in general — in fact, during my…
Darren Robbins
1 Min Read
From the opening blast of super-charged pop that barrels out of the speakers, those longtime fans of Cheap Trick who’ve waited patiently for the band to release a new album…
Jeff Giles
3 Min Read
[Jefito’s Note: This week’s installment of our three-part look at Pet Shop Boys is, like Part One, brought to you courtesy of the wit and wisdom of John from Lost…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
I think I must be late to the party on this particular Great Gross-Off subject, because it was at least April when I saw it in the grocery store, and…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Carolyn Edwards – Carolyn Edwards (2006)purchase this album (Amazon) Carolyn Edwards was one of the founders of the popular L.A. post-punk band, 3D Picnic, and also fronted Spindle, an alternative…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Note: Okay, I’m stretching it a bit on this one. When I conceived “Depeche Clones Week”, I had three bands in particular in mind and set about writing all three…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Another Friday, another visit to Bootleg City — and, in this case, another debt of gratitude to Joe at Illicit Noise, because he’s the one who gave us this fine…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
I just got a request over at my fucking MySpace page for a Bootleg City entry on Mr. Mister’s unreleased final album, The Pull. Only problem is, while I do…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
I just got a request over at my fucking MySpace page for a Bootleg City entry on Mr. Mister’s unreleased final album, The Pull. Only problem is, while I do…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Apologies for the lack of activity here this week, friends — I had something like a perfect storm converge to keep me away. Busy week at work(s), a sick baby,…
John C. Hughes
2 Min Read
I have a special place in my heart for Red Flag — you see, they were the first “real” rock band I ever interviewed, back when I was a Broadcast…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Via The Onion’s AV Club review of the new Archie collections:
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Nathan Asher and the Infantry – Sex Without Love (2006)purchase this album (Amazon) Our new friends at Total Assault are raving about Nathan Asher and the Infantry. What they’re saying:…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
That’s right — all this week, Lost in the 80s will focus on artists who, in leiu of marching to the beat of a different drummer, chose rather to program…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Well, over here mostly. Don’t worry, I’ve got something for you here later today.
Jeff Giles
4 Min Read
[Jefito’s Note: Today begins a three-part Idiot’s Guide to Pet Shop Boys, written with typical wit and flair by our pal John from Lost in the ’80s. You read it…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Welcome back to Bootleg City! This week’s entry comes courtesy of our good friend Joe (of Illicit Noise) and it’s a good one. We’re talking Lindsey Buckingham in all his…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
Night Ranger – Man in Motion (1988)purchase this album (Amazon) We were just discussing this album recently — I can’t remember if it was out here or in the Back…
Jeff Giles
2 Min Read
Glen Phillips – Mr. Lemons (2006)purchase this album (Amazon) Third time’s the charm. Glen Phillips’ first solo album, 2001’s Abulum, found him taking his first steps away from the widescreen…
Jeff Giles
14 Min Read
Okay, okay, I know. Artists like Paul Simon don’t really need Idiot’s Guides. Who hasn’t heard of Paul Simon, or heard a bunch of his music? Then again, there’s a…
John C. Hughes
1 Min Read
Recently-discussed Sparks will be on the Gilmore Girls season finale tonight on the WB. This is not a joke. Oh, and I’m back from vacation in beautiful downtown Cleveland, Ohio,…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Hidey ho, neighbors. Any NRBQ fans out there? I’d dearly love to start an Idiot’s Guide to the band this year, but my collection is nowhere near complete, and I’m…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
We were touched by the holy finger of VH1 today, resulting in an awesome ’splosion of traffic (the blog is right now riding high at #1 over at the beautiful,…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Our friends at Wiredset have some news for y’all: We are very excited to be working with the legendary band Soul Asylum, who are releasing their latest record “The Silver…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
I got a question in the comments the other day about the name of this blog and how to pronounce it, so in case anybody else has ever wondered, I…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
Several cuts from the new Paul Simon (coming out next Tuesday) are streaming at his official site. Not sure how many of you are fans — he’s certainly made it…
Jeff Giles
1 Min Read
A.J. Croce – Cantos (2006)purchase this album (Amazon) He started his career, with 1993’s A.J. Croce, as the obviously talented, yet musically undeveloped offspring of his late, lamented dad Jim;…
John C. Hughes
2 Min Read
I’ve had a stormy relationship with VH1 Classic since we first met about five years ago. I’d see him now and then over at a friend’s house and became sort…