Author: admin

Book (P)reviews

Why the Beach Boys Matter (Tom Smucker)

Release date, Oct. 2, and breathlessly awaited by some (i.e., me). Table of contents is here, and is fetching (“Harmony and Discord,” “Innocence and the Second-Best Pop Album Ever,” “Summer’s Gone, the Endless Summer”). The Beach Boys matter to me enormously–more than the Beatles, more than the Velvets, more than Prince, Chuck Berry, Elvis Costello, and many others (well, at least if “mattering” is best … Continue reading Why the Beach Boys Matter (Tom Smucker)

admin21 Comments
Beatles, Polls & Lists

The Best Beatles Books

Stephen Thomas Erlewine at Pitchfork chooses the ten best books about the Beatles, from Philip Norman’s Shout! to Rob Sheffield’s wonderful Dreaming the Beatles. M.I.A. (fully cognizant of the fact that there are probably 25-30 “best” books on the Beatles): Mark Shipper’s Paperback Writer (cf. the back and forth email chat between Richard Riegel and myself on this) Tim Riley’s Tell Me Why (listen to … Continue reading The Best Beatles Books

admin5 Comments
Dave Marsh

Louie’s back in town

Two good listens re: “Louie Louie” 1 – “Louie Louie”: The Strange Journey of the Dirtiest Song Never Written (KCRW podcast/documentary) 2 – July 2002 interview w/Dave Marsh on Speaking Freely, primarily about “LL” Incidentally, I’ve finally pulled Marsh’s “Louie Louie” book off the shelf. I hope it lives up to its provocative subtitle (The History and Mythology of the World’s Most Famous Rock ‘n … Continue reading Louie’s back in town

admin2 Comments
Art & Photography

Art critics, art books

Who are the best art critics and what are the best books of art criticism? Here are some of the books I own: Robert Hughes, Nothing if Not Critical – The sort of critical anthology I’m currently most interested in (it contains reprints of Hughes’s reviews across several years at Time magazine). Hughes is devastating when he goes in for the kill (Julian Schnabel—ouch!), and … Continue reading Art critics, art books

admin14 Comments
Chuck Eddy, Interviews

Chuck Eddy interview, Oct 2017 (link)

But at the same time, you told me when we talked last week that this is yet another clichéd sentiment, that music was at one time the center of the culture and that the internet has ruined that. You said that things like The Beatles and Michael Jackson and Nirvana were huge exceptions. I just think — when you mention those names, I think what … Continue reading Chuck Eddy interview, Oct 2017 (link)

admin13 Comments
Polls & Lists

2017 Pazz and Jop ballot

The first ballot I’ve submitted in several years, in fact. Top 10 Singles (videos below) 1. A.Chal, “Love and Hennessy” 2. Angus & Julia Stone, “Snow” 3. Blaenavon, Soko, “No One Else in Mind” 4. Kygo w/Selena Gomez, “It Ain’t Me” 5. Lana Del Rey, “Love” 6. LCD Soundsystem, “Call the Police” 7. New Pornographers, “Play Money” 8. Sevyn Streeter, “Before I Do” 9. Smokepurpp, … Continue reading 2017 Pazz and Jop ballot

admin7 Comments
Record Reviews

Nik Cohn on an “unmitigated disaster” by the Fab Four

New York Times, Oct. 5, 1969 “The six tracks on the first side and the opening two tracks on the flip are all write-offs: there’s a Ringo Starr nursery rhyme; a quick burst of sub-Brian Wilson; two songs by George Harrison, mediocrity incarnate; yet another slice of Paul McCartney twenties nostalgia, and an endless slow blues. “The badness ranges from mere gentle tedium to cringing … Continue reading Nik Cohn on an “unmitigated disaster” by the Fab Four

admin2 Comments