Fifty years ago, a plea for assistance from Ravi Shankar to George Harrison gave birth to The Concert for Bangladesh, an event whose impact on the culture of pop and classic rock still resonates.
The end of 2021 arrived with an insane combination of experimental and extreme works, including new albums by Corroded Spiral, New Age Doom, Kayo Dot, and more.
A culture that digs the surface level in art is understandable. But a culture that prizes schtick and stunt and a pretty face over substance is problematic.
David Bowie’s Hunky Dory is self-conscious about artifice and image. It maintains a resounding undercurrent of human longing for connection and recognition.
November really had something for every taste. Khemmis and Black Soul Horde relish their doom ethos through traditional metallic influences and so much more.
Despite a global pandemic, musicians were far more active in 2021 and had time to create their finest work. It resulted in some of the best albums in years.
The year gave us spectacular album re-issues spanning rock legends, foundational R&B/soul artists, classic pop, post-punk, alternative rock and so much more.
In these challenging times, soul and R&B walked tall and carried a big stick, while also being a much-needed balm and source of warmth in 2021.
Any list of the year’s best Americana albums inevitably contains a sprawling biome of country, folk, soul, blues, R&B, bluegrass, and roots-rock.
The 20 best pop albums of the year radiate with unstoppable playlist power, much-needed sweet escapism, self-reflecting moments, and killer melodies.
Blondie’s first LP absorbed a wide range of influences and synthesized multiple genres, including surf pop, ’60s girl groups, mod rock, and even disco.
