I was going to respond to Rolling Stone‘s recent 200 Greatest Singers list with my own Top 40 or Top 20 or even 5, but maybe I’ll just turn it over to you. That’s right–you. Who are your favourites? Better still: why? Continue reading Top however many singers of all-time
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
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
Yesterday David Bowie died at the age of 69; today, the Village Voice published its annual Pazz & Jop Critics Poll, though they no longer cite (at least that I can see online) what edition it is—the 43rd or 44th, I think (unless it’s the 44th or 45th). I haven’t yet listened much to Blackstar, the album Bowie released just a couple days before his … Continue reading David Bowie and Pazz & Jop
Well, okay, now that I have commanded your attention. I’m pretty certain I have left behind for good the year-end Top 10 list—or anyway, a Top 10 list confined to just music. For 25+ years, I could be relied on to at least produce a yearly Top 10 Singles list, sometimes supplementing that with additional songs (reaching a peak of utter uselessness at the end … Continue reading Top 10 of 2015
In the latest issue of New York, Jody Rosen creates a New York-themed playlist, running from 1928 to 2014 (from Sophie Tucker to Angel Haze). “I focused on songs about New York, and about archetypal New York folkways and experiences, and I aimed for a nice blend: iconic New York anthems and obscure ones, legendary artists and little-known ones, old songs and songs recent enough … Continue reading New York Playlist x 100
From Jazz & Pop Magazine (formerly Jazz), the results of a critics poll right at the dawn of rock criticism (would like to know who actually voted). Biggest surprise to me is Donovan at #3. (Thanks Michaelangelo Matos for the tip.) Continue reading 1967 Jazz & Pop Results
Christgau weighs in. Anyone care to weigh in on Christgau’s weigh-in? (I’ve only had time to skim the thing, and won’t likely get to it until next week.) Continue reading More Pazz & Jop
So asks Mark Kemp. A: Yes, indeed, but this is not a new development (the patient’s condition has been worsening for years), nor does it (in my view) have anything (or anyway, very little) to do with the records the critics chose. Having said as much, I’m now obligated to come up with better reasons for its demise — and eventually I will. Continue reading Q: “Is Pazz & Jop Critically Ill?”
The two minutes and 18 seconds it will take you to peruse the Pazz & Jop results? Probably better you devote them instead to the several hours (days?) it will likely take you to fish through all the reading material compiled in Jason Gross’s annual Best Music Writing summary, hosted this year at Red Bull Academy. Nice to see this is still a thing. Continue reading Best Music Writing, 2013 (Jason Gross)
RockCritics.com 