Author Archive
23 Dec 2011
Best of 2011: New Music
This was easily the most difficult category for me. So many amazing albums came out that it’s pure folly to limit myself to only five. So I haven’t (but six […]
22 Dec 2011
Best of 2011: Reissues and Compilations
I tend to gravitate toward reissues and compilations. It’s not that I want to hear the same material over and over again – I don’t – but I do enjoy […]
21 Dec 2011
Best of 2011: Concerts
As usual, I attended quite a few live shows this year. Picking the best was difficult, and in all likelihood it’s a mood-based decision: no doubt if I make this […]
20 Dec 2011
Best of 2011: Books
Honestly, when I got into this reviewing gig I had no real plans to review music-related books. I sort of fell into it, and I’m glad I did. A number […]
19 Dec 2011
Best of 2011: DVDs
From my standpoint, this past year has been a good one for music-related DVDs. I reviewed several here, but the most noteworthy among them are these: Ballad of Mott the […]
16 Dec 2011
Album Review: The Grip Weeds – Under the Influence of Christmas
I suspect I’m not alone in my thinking that holiday-themed albums are often greeted with some trepidation. Oftentimes saccharine sentimentality trumps all, and the results are mawkish, half-baked or otherwise […]
15 Dec 2011
Album Review: Ray Charles – Singular Genius: The Complete ABC Singles
Quick: name a musical artist other than Ray Charles who could operate credibly in all of these genres: jazz, blues, gospel, soul, R&B, country and western, rock, pop. I’ve spent […]
14 Dec 2011
EP Review: Jamie & Steve – The Next Big Thing
I could be wrong about this – this assertion is based on observation, not specific knowledge – but as of about 2010, I think that The Spongetones ceased operation as […]
13 Dec 2011
Album Review: Grateful Dead – Dick’s Picks #35
I’m sometimes accused of hating the Grateful Dead. That’s an unfair accusation, though I understand why people level it toward me. I am fond of pointing out that a 1989 […]
12 Dec 2011
Album Review: The Cleaners From Venus – In Chimp World
In a world rife with uncertainty, it’s comforting to know that some things remain sturdily reliable. One of these things is Cleaners From Venus, the nom de rock of Martin […]