Back when I had, y’know, steady employment, I bought a lot of records. I made a particular mission to pick up every piece of John Coltrane vinyl I could afford. (I’m really, really regretting not buying a mint first pressing of Om when I had the chance.) Now that I, y’know, don’t have steady employment, I don’t buy […]

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There’s one big sticking for eligibility for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (outside of that whole, y’know, being good and important thing). As in baseball, it’s all about time: To qualify for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there must be a passing of 25 years since the […]

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Hamilton Leithauser may (or may not?) have played his final show with The Walkmen, but his first solo record, Black Hours, is definitely coming out this May via Ribbon Music. This first single is an uncharacteristically upbeat affair. It’s odd hearing Leithauser’s voice in such a self-confident and cheerful setting, but when you can sing […]

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Lily Allen has announced the name of her new record with the following post on Instagram: “Oh Christ” adorned with the above photo. This is amazing. Kanye West is going to hate this so much, and I can’t wait to see his reaction. And here’s the video for the second single off Sheezus, “Hot Air […]

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It’s amazing what the exposure from being featured on the closing credits of an episode of Girls can do for you. It’s not that Broncho’s (soft “ch”) blend of garage punk with obvious pop hooks wouldn’t stand up on its own, but being christened with Lena Dunham’s seal of approval is an automatic 7″ seller. […]

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I’m so glad I pre-ordered this album before hearing a single note. You earn that type of loyalty when you put out a mind blower like 2002’s Neon Golden. Both tracks I’ve heard off the forthcoming Sub Pop release, Close to the Glass, have exceeded expectations. “Kong” harkens back to the band’s poppier, Dinosaur Jr. […]

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Continuing promotion for 2013’s startlingly haunting Once I Was An Eagle, Laura Marling recorded an intimate (is there any other type from her?) session for eTown, a program on NPR, where she premiered the live staple “Born To Love.” She also covered Townes Van Zandt’s “Colorado Girl.” I. Can’t. Look. Away.

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