Slowdive’s In-Between Band Mojave 3 Reissue Their Catalog
Mojave 3 may always be remembered as a lengthy diversion between phases of Slowdive. They still had plenty of winning moments of their own.
John Bergstrom
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.
When Lee “Scratch” Perry and Mouse on Mars Teamed Up
When Mars on Mars were in the studio with Lee “Scratch” Perry in late 2019, they didn’t realize they were getting the last chance to capture his essence on tape.
The Sound on ‘Bill Evans at the BBC’ Is Badly Distorted
Much of the material on Bill Evans at the BBC, as played by this lineup, is available on better-sounding releases, including a couple of producer Zev Feldman’s own.
Laibach Coat Their ‘Musick’ in Pop-Colored Gloss
Laibach’s Musick has its moments, but ultimately it’s a reminder that there is plenty of good pop music that skewers itself without being so belabored about it.
The Charlatans’ ‘Some Friendly’ Is Surprisingly Important
The Charlatans’ subsequent career has, in hindsight, rendered Some Friendly more valuable than most anyone expected. It’s one of their most important.
Band of Horses’ ‘Everything All The Time’ Is Essential at 20
Band of Horses’ Everything All the Time was a declaration that rock music could be big without being dumb, sentimental without being saccharine.
Lucid Express Lay on the Sweetness for ‘Instant Comfort’
Lucid Express might be restless and eager to defy pigeonholing and complacency. That’s good, but in the process, they’ve made an album that often feels overstuffed.
Musik Music Musique 1979: The Roots of Synth Pop
Based on the best tracks on this new synth pop collection, 1979 was a time that drew equally from traditionalist pop songcraft and new musical technology.
Steppin’ Out: The Roots of Garage Rock 1963-1965
Steppin’ Out: The Roots of Garage Rock 1963-1965 immediately becomes an efficient, economical alternative to all kinds of crate-digging and online scouring.
‘The Return of the Durutti Column’ Is Long Overdue
Listening to The Return of the Durutti Column is like being given the key to a world that, while not as secret as before, is well worth exploring.
Doves Celebrate Their Best on ‘So, Here We Are’
So, Here We Are: Best of Doves shows how their secret is making music that’s grandiose yet unpretentious. It’s big music with a small ego.
This Is Supposedly the Best of Everything But the Girl
As Everything But the Girl, Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt were one of the most unique British acts of the 1980s and 1990s.