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John Bergstrom
Image: John Bergstrom
PopMatters Associate Music Editor

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

Tuesday, March 13 2012

Can't Even Be Bothered: Two Great British Indie Rock Albums Turn 20

They are not the best-known or most-celebrated works by their respective bands. But Ride's Going Blank Again and the Charlatans' Between 10th and 11th are seminal touchstones of 1990s British indie rock, "Deluxe Anniversary Editions" or not.


Friday, November 13 2009

The "Worst" of The Beatles: A Contradiction in Terms?

Certainly not!


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.


Reviews

Wednesday, May 8 2013

Gold Fields: Black Sun

Don't let the title fool you. Summer may not be here yet, but the soundtrack has arrived.


Thursday, April 11 2013

Funk D'Void: Balance 022

The electronic/house veteran hits a peak on this impressive two-disc mix.


Thursday, April 11 2013

Dawes: Stories Don't End

The third album in five years from the LA roots-rock favorites finds them continuing to channel Jackson Browne.


Tuesday, April 9 2013

OMD: English Electric

The veteran English synth-pop group take a mulligan on their comeback.


Monday, April 1 2013

Jah Wobble & Keith Levene: Yin & Yang

The original musical forces behind Public Image Ltd reunite for a dubby, jam session-like affair.


Actress: R.I.P. [6.Jun.12]
Blondes: Blondes [13.Apr.12]
VCMG: Ssss [15.Mar.12]
Scuba: DJ Kicks [13.Jan.12]
Ivy: All Hours [29.Sep.11]
Jonny: Jonny [4.May.11]
Mr. Mister: Pull [4.Mar.11]
Eskmo: Eskmo [1.Mar.11]
BARB: BARB [30.Nov.10]
Booka Shade: More! [18.Aug.10]
Hey Champ: Star [9.Aug.10]
Funki Porcini: On [30.Jun.10]
Magda: Fabric 49 [15.Apr.10]
Dub Tractor: Sorry [16.Mar.10]
N-Type: Rinse: 09 [28.Sep.09]
Omar-S: Fabric 45 [20.May.09]
Pet Shop Boys: Yes [21.Apr.09]
Chop Chop: Screens [19.Jan.09]
Âme: Fabric 42 [13.Oct.08]
Colette: Push [16.Nov.07]
Recoil: subHuman [19.Sep.07]
Pepper: No Shame [30.Oct.06]
12twelve: LUnivers [18.Oct.06]
Clor: Clor [6.Dec.05]
Cartel: Chroma [7.Nov.05]
Soel: Memento [14.Jul.05]
Moog (2004) [27.May.05]
Gong: You [18.May.05]
Fluke: Puppy [24.Jun.04]

Blogs

Tuesday, March 12 2013

Ben Watt's Buzzin' Fly Electronic Label to Become a Catalogue Label

Buzzin' Fly Records, the much-respected progressive house and electronic label, will stop releasing new material and become "archive only", according to founder Ben Watt.


Friday, January 25 2013

Depeche Mode Reveal Release Date, Track List for New Album 'Delta Machine'

Depeche Mode have via their official webiste revealed details of their new album.


Thursday, December 13 2012

Bubbling Under the Top 75: Soulsavers - 'The Light the Dead See'

PopMatters spotlights a few additional 2012 albums that didn't quite crack the Best 75 list.


Wednesday, December 12 2012

Bubbling Under the Top 75: The Vaccines - 'Come of Age'

PopMatters spotlights a few additional 2012 albums that didn't quite crack the Best 75 list.


Wednesday, October 24 2012

Depeche Mode Announce New Album, Preview New Song

When describing the new material, Depeche Mode made comparisons with past successes Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion.


Download the Wild Swans' "In Secret" (Mixed Media) [15.Aug.11]
Charlie Louvin 1927-2011 (Mixed Media) [27.Jan.11]
The The - Tony soundtrack (new album) (Mixed Media) [24.May.10]
Rogue Wave Cover Depeche Mode (video) (Mixed Media) [3.May.10]
Depeche Mode - "Wrong" (video) (Mixed Media) [3.Mar.09]
Love Train: The Sound of Philadelphia (Consuming Consumables) [7.Dec.08]
Over the Rhine - Snow Angels [$16.98] (Consuming Consumables) [17.Dec.07]
Elvis Presley: The Ed Sullivan Shows [$20.99] (Consuming Consumables) [19.Dec.06]
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