OMD’s ‘Crush’ Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary
OMD’s Crush is a self-contained, ultra-romantic package that both encapsulates and transcends the 1980s. They had never sounded this sleek, sexy, and cool before
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.
Nation of Language Create a ‘Dance Called Memory’
Dance Called Memory is something of a pivotal album in its own modest way. It’s Nation of Language’s most introspective and darkest record.
Pop Academics Saint Etienne Say Goodbye with Final LP
With International, these pop academics have left us with one final lesson: if you must fade away, do so gracefully. Saint Etienne most certainly have.
Kenny Dorham Played Blue Bossa in the Bronx
In the years since his death in 1972 from kidney disease, Kenny Dorham has become one of those artists who are famous for not having been famous—for being underrated.
North American Power Pop of the 1980s Is Delightful
Power pop was always music for other musicians to like, or for people whose record collections eclipsed their social lives. The songs were catchy and poppy.
Be-Bop Deluxe’s Restlessness and Energy Are Superb
While much 1970s rock went straight up its arse, Be-Bop Deluxe offered a swift yet elegant kick in the crotch. Who knew that decades later it would still feel good?
The Pale Fountains Practically Invented Twee Pop
For the Pale Fountains, The Complete Virgin Years is evidence of a group that had more ideas than two studio albums would allow. A few of those ideas were sublime.
Lifeguard Are Ready-Made for Critical Adoration
Every so often, a band like Lifeguard appear and aren’t experimental, but flaunt their impeccable influences in a way that’s so brash and confident.
Kenny Burrell Is Mesmerizing at the Five Spot Café
Jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell’s collection feels more like a warm vignette than a cynical freeze-frame. This is one occasion where digital files simply won’t suffice.
For the Loft, Everything Changes and Stays the Same
The phrase “brand new old-fashioned” has rarely been more apt, and it’s to their credit that the Loft mostly capture the best of both worlds.
Kraftwerk’s Wolfgang Flür Celebrates 1980s ‘Times’
Wolfgang Flür is at least trying to move the Kraftwerk ethos forward. That fact alone gives an album like Times some artistic value.
Television Personalities Unleash Their Radio Sessions 1980-1993
Television Personalities’ Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out offers a fresh opportunity to explore the band and their still-unique, seemingly contradictory pleasures.