MICHAEL's Finale Mirrors Inside Llewyn Davis' 1983 Jam
Surprised by how much the ending of MICHAEL rips off INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS. [Spoiler alert] It ends in 1983, at a college commons in Vermont, where a kid is playing the album THRILLER as a young jam band takes the stage for the first time ...
Mile End Kicks Nails 2011 Indie Music Critic Reality
I wrote about Chandler Levack’s charming and sometimes harrowing “indie music critic” rom-com MILE END KICKS, which is way more accurate about the music-crit business circa 2011 than I expected (or than it even needed to be). https://t.co/NBBufquRkJ https://t.co/zpaLWnQosV
Alt‑Country’s 2020s Revival: Essay and 50‑Track Road‑Trip Playlist
Hey, I wrote a big essay about alt-country in the 2020s, writing about dozens of bands/artists in the process. Also compiled a soundtrack playlist with 50 twangy favorites (or 3 1/2 hours of music, perfect for a spring break road...
The Tubs Turn Metallica’s “Fade To Black” Into Jangle‑Pop Genius
The way The Tubs turned Metallica's "Fade To Black" into a jangle-pop song that sounds like a cross of Richard Thompson and R.E.M. is genius. https://t.co/PfGG7AupbK
Discussed Newly Discovered Band on CBC Interview
Hey, I was on the CBC this morning, talking about a band I learned about from @buttwipe8qe8uq8eq and other trusted online music authorities. https://t.co/N5UjWNTMdw
Lou Reed's Top Album & Al Green's Rock Identity
On the latest Catalog Club I talk about one of Lou Reed's favorite albums of all time, and why Al Green self-identified as a rock 'n' roll star. (Also: The so-called "grits" incident.) https://t.co/tX5kkmEFok https://t.co/4B88ET2WtY
New Release Feels Instantly Like Their Definitive Album
Man, this is really something. Probably too early to say this but I'll say it anyway: It seems instantly like their definitive album. https://t.co/GlGGcwFpuH
At Woodstock ’99, Phone Screens Might've Saved Us
Woodstock 99 might be the rare instance where more people staring at their phones rather than living "completely in the moment" might have been preferable.
Marketing Creates Relevance, Can't Force Genuine Liking
I had a lot of different feelings/thoughts about the Geese/Chaotic Good story, so I spent 3,500 words trying to flesh them out. But this is basically the crux, about what marketing can (construct "relevance") and can't do (make people like...
Believe's Debut Album Crafts an Immersive Musical World
I wrote about the self-titled debut by My New Band Believe, which feels like a world onto itself. https://t.co/ZVIO8N06KB https://t.co/AObjrVf44O
Celebrating Al Green’s 80th with 1973’s “Call Me”
Today is Al Green's 80th birthday. This month I'm talking about a different Al album every week. This week is his 1973 masterpiece CALL ME. Happy birthday, Al! https://t.co/ji6Daylzqh https://t.co/3KbCzwCi8W
Tour Skipping Midwest Sparks Personal Offense
This "Gillian Welch/David Rawlings play the Dead's RECKONING" tour skipping the midwest is a personal affront.
Wendy Eisenberg’s Luminous Album Defines Spring 2026 Soundtrack
I wrote about the luminous Wendy Eisenberg album, a prime spring of 2026 soundtrack. https://t.co/iG8G6YnrfP https://t.co/2RcbGfYLFO
Reflecting on RHCP's Rise, Flea's HONORA, and Mixed Feel
Hey, I wrote about the recent Netflix doc about the Red Hot Chili Peppers' early years and Flea's solo album HONORA, with tangents on John Frusciante's solo output and my ambivalent feelings about this absurd (absurdly successful) band. https://t.co/qk1vyaAJGy https://t.co/o5HSjjtY8T
Celebrating Al Green's 80th with a Catalog Club
Al Green turns 80 on April 13. To mark this milestone I'm doing my Catalog Club series this month on four of his albums, starting with my personal favorite. Come luxuriate in some of the greatest music ever with me! https://t.co/ytNQm470sl...