pop Archive
29 Aug 2022
Album Review: Pete Ham – Demos Variety Pack
Anyone with a taste for melodic rock surely appreciates the greatness that was Badfinger. The group led by Welsh-born singer, songwriter and guitarist Pete Ham created a body of work […]
21 Aug 2022
EP Review: Merciful Heavens – For Now
I’ve been reviewing albums for, oh, close to 20 years now. I’m on many music publicists’ mailing and e-mail lists, and I’m grateful for that. Occasionally, though, I receive unsolicited […]
13 Aug 2022
Album Review: Nick Frater — Aerodrome Motel
Nick Frater is a remarkably prolific artist; in recent months and years he seems to be cranking out new music at a furious pace. And his quality control program is […]
01 Aug 2022
30 Days Out, August 2022 #1: Local Punk Showcase, Fireside Collective, Man or Astro-Man?, Thundercat
Two show showcasing local talent of of very (very) different character, some super-quirky original rock, and one of today’s hottest tickets: those are among the highlights of live music in […]
26 Jul 2022
Album Review: Freedy Johnston — Back on the Road to You
Freedy Johnston is one of those artists whose name has long been familiar to me, but whose music I had somehow never encountered. Odd, that, as he’s somewhat difficult to […]
23 Jul 2022
Album Review: The Mommyheads — Genius Killer
Talk about making up for lost time. The Mommyeads’ initial run lasted from the late 1980s to nearly the end of the ‘90s; that period was followed by a decade-long […]
22 Jul 2022
Album Review: Pop Co-Op – Suspension
Notwithstanding the admittedly impressive technological advances that have made remote collaboration possible, a strong and persuasive case can be made asserting the superiority of music recordings made when all participants […]
04 Jul 2022
Album Review: Linda Hoover — I Mean to Shine
Remember inner sleeves? The 12×12 paper sleeves that held records and went inside of the album jackets? For a time they served an additional purpose, working as advertising media. The […]
01 Jul 2022
30 Days Out, July 2022 #1: Melissa Hyman, Acoustic Syndicate, 10,000 Maniacs, Adrian Belew
Two highly respected local/regional acts and two beloved touring artists: those are the highlights among many musical events taking place in and around Asheville in the coming 30 days. Each […]
17 Jun 2022
Album Review: Spygenius — Jobbernowl
Those Cantabrigian masters of melody are at it again. Jobbernowl may sport an inscrutable title, but the music is accessible in the extreme. Spygenius’ knowing way with ear candy tune […]