John Garratt

John Garratt is a music fan who has been publishing with PopMatters since 2010. He holds a BA from Hanover College and lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife and two daughters.
Laszlo Gardony Finds a New Way to Play Jazz in ‘Close Connection’

Laszlo Gardony Finds a New Way to Play Jazz in ‘Close Connection’

By combining progressive rock with Hungarian folk music on Close Connection, jazz pianist Laszlo Gardony finds yet a new way to play jazz.

Dave Douglas Extends His Superb 2022 String of Recordings

Dave Douglas Extends His Superb 2022 String of Recordings

Trumpeter Dave Douglas already had one of the best jazz albums of 2022. Now he has three of the best with the two volumes of Songs of Ascent.

‘Scalping the Guru’ Highlights Guided By Voices EPs of the 1993-1994 Era

‘Scalping the Guru’ Highlights Guided By Voices EPs of the 1993-1994 Era

Scalping the Guru‘s 20 songs come from 1993-1994, just as Guided By Voices were about to release their landmark album Bee Thousand.

If ‘Shufflemania!’ Isn’t Robyn Hitchcock’s Best Album, It’s Certainly One of His Best

If ‘Shufflemania!’ Isn’t Robyn Hitchcock’s Best Album, It’s Certainly One of His Best

Concepts like “consistency” and “quality” are relative, but a new album from Robyn Hitchcock is always a good reminder of what’s truly “great”, and Shufflemania! is no exception.

The Cult Still Rock on ‘Under the Midnight Sun’

The Cult Still Rock on ‘Under the Midnight Sun’

However the Cult cultivate their energy, Under the Midnight Sun sits below their most essential albums while looking down on their more awkward moments.

Can’s ‘Live in Cuxhaven 1976’ Still Packs a Punch

Can’s ‘Live in Cuxhaven 1976’ Still Packs a Punch

Live in Cuxhaven 1976 enjoys life as a short-but-sweet footnote in a mind-blowing campaign reminding that a live Can performance must have been incredible.

Jazz Bassist William Parker Puts His Musical Philosophy Into Action on ‘Universal Tonality’

Jazz Bassist William Parker Puts His Musical Philosophy Into Action on ‘Universal Tonality’

William Parker’s Universal Tonality is a recording he has been holding in his back pocket for just about 20 years now, which is crazy because it’s so good.

The Bad Plus Are Exceptional As a Quartet on Their New Album

The Bad Plus Are Exceptional As a Quartet on Their New Album

The Bad Plus makes a convincing case for the new lineup and puts the quartet’s vitality on full display and injects modern jazz with that same Bad Plus edge.

For CC Sorensen Home Is Where the Frog Jazz Is

For CC Sorensen Home Is Where the Frog Jazz Is

CC Sorensen makes music you have never heard before on ‘Phantom Rooms’, where their “Frog Jazz” incorporates ambient, noise, avant-garde, and cyclical minimalism.

Nils Frahm’s ‘Music for Animals’ Is a Musical Waterfall of Monumental Proportions

Nils Frahm’s ‘Music for Animals’ Is a Musical Waterfall of Monumental Proportions

Nils Frahm’s Music for Animals is for those who don’t mind taking ten minutes to let a chord come to full bloom as their patience leads to truly transcendent moments.

Julian Lage and Bill Frisell Combine Abilities on ‘View With a Room’

Julian Lage and Bill Frisell Combine Abilities on ‘View With a Room’

Julian Lage’s sound has the warmth of Joe Pass, the bite of Les Paul, and the dexterity of both, as exemplified by View With a Room.

‘Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years’ Celebrates the Clash Founder’s Next Band

‘Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years’ Celebrates the Clash Founder’s Next Band

Joe Strummer’s fear of becoming bored or stuck provoked him and the Mescaleros to turn over new stones any chance they could. This new set is comprehensive.

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