Of the Year: 2023

Bidding farewell to a particularly strong year in music with the usual listage: ALBUMS SONGS SHOWS BOOKS Bonus for 2023: Shepherd.com invited me to write about my 3 favorite books read this year. Check them out at the link, or peruse how ~1300 other authors answered the same question. PHOTOS Second bonus: Pictures to prove…

Yoshimi Battles a Hazy Memory

Saw a stellar Flaming Lips concert this week, reminding me why Benji Hughes calls them the greatest show he ever saw. They played Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots in its entirety, followed by a full second set with all of the usual delightful hjinx throughout. If memory serves this was my 5th Flaming Lips show…

Of The Year: 2022

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — actually posted on the last day of the year! ALBUMS: REISSUES: SONGS: SHOWS: Lighter than usual as we ease out of pandemic life. I’m trying to better pick my spots vs. go to every show that catches my interest — and often seemingly end up being…

Beck Gave Me COVID…

…and it’s nobody’s fault but my own. After 2 years of doing all the right careful things as a good citizen, the allure of a solo acoustic Beck show during SXSW was too good to pass up. I’m vaxxed and boosted. I’ve worn a mask indoors and generally avoided indoor venues/dining for the whole pandemic….

Of The Year: 2021

Say what you will about life in the last couple years, but musically it’s been a creative delight. (Maybe that’s just more time to listen?) For the second year in a row I have a full top 10: ALBUMS 1975 — No-No Boy Melodic and memorable with a great story and purpose behind it (the…

Of The Year: 2020

—In a strange and challenging year, we needed music to keep us sane more than ever. Somehow it came through in spades with a slew of stellar new releases and live(stream) shows in the new normal. ALBUMS 1. Nobody Lives Here Anymore — Cut WormsCut Worms wasn’t on my radar until Spencer Tweedy covered “Last…

Why I still love watching Nirvana Unplugged every April 8th

Pat Smear’s striped guitar Baby faced Dave Grohl All the cover songs The secret electric guitar on Man Who Sold the World Pennyroyal Tea (“Am I gonna do this…by myself?” and the disastrous duet with Pat during rehearsal in the extras that explains the exchange) The guy who looks like a burly Cliff Clavin in…

Of The Year — 2019

Albums Between the Country — Ian Noe Discovered this album via NPR First Listen on a whim (ala 2016’s top album) and never looked back. A perfect mix of folky songs spanning a number of emotions and influences while still holding together as part of their own refreshingly new voice. On the Line — Jenny…

Of The Year – 2018

Albums 1.Glorietta — GloriettaOh my! Another year, another supergroup on the top list. This one’s a little different with it being a supergroup where I wasn’t very familiar with any of the members beforehand outside of Wild Child — but their end results absolutely blew my mind. 2. Loner — Caroline RoseGreat record, great live show….

Of the Year – 2017

Commentary coming sooner or later… ALBUMS Resistance Radio: The Man in the High Castle Album — Various Life Will See You Now — Jens Lekman Colors — Beck Like a Drunk in a Midnight Choir: RSD Celebrates the Music of Leonard Cohen — Various St. Mojo — Sweet Spirit Salutations* — Conor Oberst SONGS Pamela…