pop Archive
20 Aug 2018
Multiple Discs, Multiple Artists (Part 1 of 2)
It’s purely happenstance, but at the moment I have two discs each of archival/reissue/compilation music from seven acts. (Actually, I have three discs each by three of those, but I’m […]
18 Aug 2018
Album Review: Ben Delaurentis — Liar for a Muse
After making a trio of band albums, Lynchburg, Virginia singer-guitarist Ben Delaurentis has made a solo record in Liar for a Muse. But don’t assume that you’ll find a vice-and-acoustic […]
10 Aug 2018
Album Review: Crooked Ghost — Skeleton House
When artists describe their music (or have it described by others) as dream-pop, that’s usually a reliable signal that the mood of the music focuses on one of two musical […]
04 Aug 2018
Album Review: Pale Blue Dot — Anatomy
From a music standpoint, Charlottesville, Virginia is perhaps best known for the jam-band hero Dave Matthews (who’s South African, but is associated with the city). Appalachian music plays a part […]
04 Aug 2018
Album Review: Randal Branham – Simple
Piano players have an uphill battle when trying to place themselves at the center of a rock band (I say this as a keyboard player myself). When it works – […]
28 Jul 2018
Album Review: Jared Weiss – Isolated Thunderstorms
The press kit tells us that Isolated Thunderstorms began its life as a folk record, and evolved into a rock one. I’ve no particular reason to doubt that sequence of […]
18 Jul 2018
A Teenager in Rock: The Regrettes’ Lydia Night (Part Two)
Continued from Part One… Other than being signed, what was the Regrettes’ first big break? A really huge moment for us was when we played Conan [The Regrettes performed “Hey […]
17 Jul 2018
A Teenager in Rock: The Regrettes’ Lydia Night (Part One)
Los Angeles-based rockers the Regrettes came roaring out of the gate with their debut single, “Hey Now” in 2015. The song introduced the group’s template: hooky, catchy classic pop delivered […]
16 Jul 2018
Micky Dolenz is Still a Believer
The original lineup of pop sensation the Monkees lasted for a brief period: the quartet that scored number-one hits with “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer” and “Daydream Believer” […]
13 Jul 2018
Paul Williams: “Someday” and Today (Part 4)
Continued from Part Three… Another characteristic of Paul Williams’ lyrics is their universal quality. Listening to or reading his words, the thoughts and emotions expressed could as easily be coming […]