Alarmed By the Seduction: Squeeze’s ‘East Side Story’ at 40
For East Side Story, British popsters Squeeze hired a brilliant producer and made an album that’s both eclectic and remarkably consistent 40 years later.
All Things Reconsidered
30 Years Ago Primus Went ‘Sailing the Seas of Cheese’
Primus’ Sailing the Seas of Cheese established a template for how a band could achieve both a large, passionate fanbase and a modicum of mainstream success.
George Michael Abandoned His MTV Past for Musical Maturity on ‘Older’ 25 Years Ago
George Michael’s Older showed an artist who was firmly in the mainstream yet still chafed at being dismissed as merely a “pop star”.
The Unique Mundanity of R.E.M.’s ‘Reveal’ at 20
Reveal is more than just another R.E.M. album because it holds a particular maturity and balance unique to their oeuvre.
Don’t Let Go: Weezer’s ‘Green Album’ at 20 Years Old
Full of big hooks and crunchy guitar riffs, Weezer’s Green Album essentially established the direction they would take for the next 20 years.
The Foaming Breakers of the Poisonous Surf: Elvis Costello’s ‘Mighty Like a Rose’ at 30
Elvis Costello’s Mighty Like a Rose is among his most unjustly maligned albums, making it ripe for reexamination.
15 Years Ago Paul Simon’s ‘Surprise’ Synthesized Traditional and Transformational Songwriting
Surprise shows that the familiar pleasures of Paul Simon’s work are the themes and musical sparks that leave a lasting influence.
20 Years On, Sum 41’s ‘All Killer No Filler’ Is a Classic Pop-Punk Party
Despite an initially lukewarm critical reception, Sum 41’s All Killer No Filler enjoys a place in the pop-punk pantheon as it hits its 20th birthday.
Jennifer Lopez Expanded Her Brand on ‘Love?’ 10 Years Ago
Jennifer Lopez’s nostalgic Love? harkens back to the mid-90s, when expensive pop albums fronted by dazzling divas were released to great fanfare.
How the Church Broke the Mold With ‘Of Skins and Heart’ 40 Years Ago
The Church’s Of Skins and Heart carved out a unique place in popular music from an unlikely location (and from the most unlikely set of influences).
40 Years Ago Rick James’ ‘Street Songs’ Signaled a New Identity for Motown
Rick James’ ground-breaking Street Songs exposed Motown’s struggle to grow and change alongside the shifting pop music landscape.