John Bergstrom has been writing various reviews and features for PopMatters since 2004. He has been a music fanatic at least since he and a couple friends put together The Rock Group Dictionary in third grade (although he now admits that giving Pat Benatar the title of “first good female rocker” was probably a mistake). He has done freelance writing for Trouser Pressonline, Milwaukee’s Shepherd Express, and the late Milk magazine and website. He currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife and two kids, both of whom are very good dancers.
Features
Monday, November 24 2008
Various Artists: Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia
You definitely know Motown. You probably know Stax. But it's time to get (re)acquainted with the other big player in the golden age of soul music -- Philly.
Wednesday, November 8 2006
A Sleek, Sporty European Roadster: Reconsidering Depeche Mode
Throughout the 1980s, Depeche Mode built a consistent, hugely-influential body of work. And then they very nearly parodied it. These three luxury reissues tell that story in thrilling fashion.
Thursday, June 29 2006
(Just) Boys from Basildon: The Depeche Mode Reissues
Were the modern rock heroes masters of their own brand of Socratic irony, or were they just what they claimed to be -- fortunate working-class boys? This excellently-packaged set of remasters offers some fascinating clues.
Friday, November 11 2005
The Cut-Out Bin #4: The Psychedelic Furs, Tossed (2000)
Conventional wisdom has it that the Furs failed to recapture the glory of their early sound on this late-career effort. That's true -- they succeeded in creating a different kind of magic altogether.
Reviews
Thursday, February 9 2012
WhoMadeWho: Inside World EP
First single from the Danish indie-dance outfit's forthcoming album is tense and mesmerizing.
Friday, January 20 2012
Elvis Presley - Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) (Legacy Edition)
If you haven't heard it, you should. If you have it, should you buy it again?
Friday, January 13 2012
Scuba: DJ Kicks
Berlin seems to make its way into everything that's recorded there, and this set from the forward-thinking dubstep DJ is no exception.
Wednesday, January 11 2012
Kaskade: Fire & Ice
The superstar DJ vaults into the mainstream. Put fire and ice together and what do you get? A mostly tepid double-album.
Thursday, December 8 2011
Light FM: Buzz Kill City
Fourth album from ex-Chicagoans crackles with power pop energy. Make way for alt.RAWK!







































