pop Archive
21 Jul 2021
The Rubinoos’ Pop-punk Nugget is Unearthed
It wasn’t just punk that arose as an alternative to what many viewed as the overblown, corporate-flavored excess of 1970s rock. Along with punk, a kind of proto-indie pop was […]
20 Jul 2021
EP Review: The Checkered Hearts — Joystick
The two musicians involved in this modest project were clearly having a good time. Singers and multi-instrumentalists Hillary Burton and Lisa Mychols are, I think we can assume, persons of […]
04 Jul 2021
From One Stage to Another: Izzi Hughes
Though she’s barely into her 20s and still in school, Hendersonville native Izzi Hughes is a seasoned performer. Gaining experience in musical theatre and acting as a youngster, she first […]
01 Jul 2021
30 Days Out, July 2021 #1: Black Joe Lewis, Women of Synthpop, Japanese Breakfast, Songwriters in the Round
Touring artists are getting back into the swing of things. That means that this roundup of live music in Asheville features two national acts. The other two spotlighted shows each […]
30 Jun 2021
Album Review: Various Artists — Big Stir Singles: The Ninth Wave
Maybe it’s because I’m a writer, but when I encounter an album that includes liner notes, I tend to read before I listen. Or, at least I’ll start to read […]
28 Jun 2021
Album Review: The Legal Matters – Chapter Three
This record is the third release from the Michigan trio. And this my third time writing a review of their material. Guess why? Because Andy Reed, Chris Richards and Keith […]
17 Jun 2021
Home is Where the Synths Are: Sunset Lines Reinvents, Again
From arena-hopping festival headliners to the local garage band, COVID-19 forced musicians of all stripes to rethink, reorganize, and regroup. Fortunately for Liz Brooks and Paul McCorkle, the core duo […]
16 Jun 2021
Album Review: Jem Records Celebrates Brian Wilson
Here we go again. I’ve long held that various-artists tribute albums are by definition uneven. Some acts try to take the songs too far from their essence, stripping the songs […]
15 Jun 2021
30 Days Out, June 2021 #2: Supatight, Min Xiao-Fen, Love Bubble, Dots
Welcome back to the world, friends. I have some exciting musical news to share. I’m happy to say that the four shows spotlighted below are merely a slice of your […]
11 Jun 2021
Album Review: Johnathan Pushkar – Compositions
File Under: Too twee for me, but perhaps not for thee. This by-the-numbers powerpop album would seem to have all the requisite elements: catchy choruses, creamy vocal harmonies, and a […]