Rob Reiner Was the Creator of Unassuming Masterpieces
The celebrated writer, actor, director, and activist Rob Reiner had a broad appeal and a political conscience, making his untimely passing all the more tragic.
Chris Ingalls
Chris is a Massachusetts native who spent seven years as a broadcast journalist in the U.S. Navy and was also a videotape editor for a CBS affiliate TV station, a newspaper editor at a military public affairs office in Naples, Italy, and a videographer for a cancer research institute. He currently works as an internal communications manager for a large Boston hospital. He was born in 1969 and has been a rabid music fan since at least 1970, thanks to his three older siblings. A PopMatters writer since 2016, Chris is also a contributor to the website I Have That On Vinyl, an occasional guest on the music podcast Losing My Opinion, and is on Bluesky and Instagram @Ingalls1969. He lives in the leafy suburbs outside of Boston with his wife, son, dog, two cats, and lots of records.
Laura Fisher’s ‘Celestina’ Is a Spellbinding Improv Performance
Laura Fisher has added another unique entry to her compelling discography, creating a piece that is impressive on a technical level and a captivating listen.
Tangerine Dream’s Classic ‘Rubycon’ at 50
Tangerine Dream’s albums from the early to mid-1970s are not only iconic in the strongest sense of the word; they’re influential beyond compare.
Jazz’s Kalia Vandever Steps Into the Dream House
Despite several moments of quiet intensity, Kalia Vandever’s Another View flows like a dream, with composition and improvisation beautifully intertwined.
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The 20 Best Experimental Albums of 2025
This year has been particularly exciting for experimental music, ranging from free-form guitar freak-outs to lush, ambient, always pushing boundaries.
Hélène Barbier Creates Irresistible Power Pop with a Dark Edge
Hélène Barbier writes songs that are couched in traditional post-punk, power-pop frameworks, but there always seems to be something off-kilter in the presentation.
Tiberius Mix Heavy Guitars with Melody and Twang
Tiberius’ influences serve the songwriting and performances beautifully. Their various sounds always include an undercurrent of folky Americana.
Adeline Hotel’s New LP Is a Shimmering, Low-Key Masterpiece
Dan Knishkowy’s ever-evolving indie collective Adeline Hotel open a new chapter with the breathtaking Watch the Sunflowers.
Ro(b)//ert Lundberg Mixes Composition and Improvisation
Bassist and composer Ro(b)//ert Lundberg creates unique sounds and atmospheres centered around “a watery fascination” on by-passing-upon.
Laura Ann Singh Creates a Unique, Unclassifiable Gem
Laura Ann Singh steers her reckless way through traditional jazz, torch song elegance, avant-garde experiments, and an anarchic sense of punk rebellion.
The Necks Experiment with Long-Form Minimalism
Disquiet is a genuinely absorbing series of luxuriously paced improvisations from the Necks, who have been doing this kind of thing for decades.
Amir ElSaffar Explores Microtones in a Unique Setting
Amir ElSaffar’s New Quartet have pulled off the trick of creating something that moves and sounds like jazz, but with a much deeper resonance.