Less Than Jake’s Ska-Punk Classic ‘Losing Streak’ Still Has a Kick 25 Years Later
Losing Streak is the best recording of Less Than Jake’s full-on ska-punk days. It has the feel of a time capsule from that brief mid-’90s period.
Chris Conaton
Chris Conaton graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. After bouncing around in several different music teaching jobs as well as a stint working at Lowe's in Michigan, he moved to Houston, Texas. He now teaches elementary school music in suburban Houston. Aside from a couple of minor freelance gigs and keeping a blog specifically for writing reviews, PopMatters is his first regular writing gig.
They Might Be Giants Write the ‘BOOK’
After 40 years of albums spanning many genres filled with big hooks and endearing bizarreness, They Might Be Giants are as energetic and interesting as ever.
Penelope Isles’ Genre-Hopping Rarely Rises Above Pastiche on ‘Which Way to Happy’
Penelope Isles love a lot of different music, and they spend much of Which Way to Happy approximating those influences and not quite establishing their sound.
Brandi Carlile’s ‘In These Silent Days’ Is Stylistically Diverse and Stunningly Good
Unlike many pandemic music projects, there are no filler tracks or wasted space on Brandi Carlile’s In These Silent Days. Each song stands on its own stylistically.
Hayden Thorpe Melds Electropop, R&B, and Ambient on ‘Moondust for My Diamond’
Former Wild Beasts frontman Hayden Thorpe combines electropop with R&B-influenced vocals and ambient into an effective, coherent sound on his second solo LP.
The Velveteers Bring Crunch and Thump on Their Debut ‘Nightmare Daydream’
The Velveteers have a lot of crunch and a massive bottom end despite not having a bass player. Not surprisingly the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach produced their debut.
Fountains of Wayne’s Power Poptastic Debut Turns 25
Fountains of Wayne’s debut LP reasserts how sturdy the formula of a catchy chorus and distorted guitars can be when a group has the songwriting to back it up.
The Lasting Legacy of Weezer’s Now-Beloved Commercial Flop ‘Pinkerton’
Weezer’s Pinkerton was released 25 years ago today and it was a critical and commercial flop. But in the intervening years, it’s become a beloved emo rock classic.
Absolutely Free’s ’80s Style Synthpop Is a Little Too Reverent on ‘Aftertouch’
Absolutely Free are back with their first album in years, Aftertouch, and have fully embraced ’80s synthpop as their music template.
Colleen Green’s ‘Cool’ Sports Big Hooks and Interesting Songwriting
Fans of pop music and guitar rock will enjoy Colleen Green. Her hooks are immediate and memorable and her guitar lines are interesting and a bit unusual.
Cinema Cinema and Matt Darriau Test the Limits on ‘CCXMDII’
Woodwind specialist Matt Darriau joins Cinema Cinema for CCXMDII, an album blending improvisational free jazz, chilled-out ambience, and experimental urges.