40 Years Ago ‘Pretenders II’ Narrowly Avoided the Dreaded Sophomore Slump
The hits on Pretenders II outweigh misses, and as the last recording of the Pretenders’ original lineup, the LP documents them at the height of their powers.
jangle pop
Barenaked Ladies Start Strong But Fade Fast on ‘Detour de Force’
On their 17th studio album Detour de Force, Barenaked Ladies semi-successfully walk the line between smart adult contemporary and cringey dad rock.
Crowded House Prove Pop Music is Still in Good Hands With ‘Dreamers Are Waiting’
Dreamers Are Waiting sees Crowded House relaxing into their new millennium renaissance. Pop music remains safe in their hands.
The Chills Find Energy and Focus on ‘Scatterbrain’
Philosophical lyrics, earworms, and sonic creativity combine on the Chills’ engaging new album Scatterbrain. Thoughts of our eventual end permeate the album.
The 10 Best R.E.M. Albums
R.E.M.’s career falls into three periods: the underground I.R.S. Records years, the Warner Bros. “wonder years”, and the post-Bill Berry output.
The Rose Petals Remember Warren G. Harding With “Welcome to the Big Top” (premiere)
A once-beloved U.S. president’s legacy ended in tatters amid scandals. Learn about it in the infectious, jangling rock of the Rose Petals’ “Welcome to the Big Top”.
10 Songs That Will Make You Love R.E.M.
These ten R.E.M. songs will grab your ear instantly or act as gateways to the band’s more idiosyncratic qualities.
Hear the New, Classic Pop of the Parson Red Heads’ “Turn Around” (premiere)
The Parson Red Heads' "Turn Around" is a pop tune, but pop as heard through ears more attuned to AM radio's glory days rather than streaming playlists and studio trickery.
London Indie-Poppers the Motive Impress on “You” (premiere)
Southwest London's the Motive concoct catchy, indie-pop earworms with breezy melodies, jangly guitars, and hooky riffs, as on their latest single "You".
All Things Reconsidered/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Music/Music Features/Pop Past/SAVE/ IGNORE: popular
Barenaked Ladies Took Chances Like Never Before on ‘Maroon’ (Track by Track)
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Barenaked Ladies' Maroon, we offer a song by song reflection on why the Canadian group's fifth LP is so triumphant.
All Things Reconsidered/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Music/Music Features/Pop Past/SAVE/ IGNORE: popular
20 Years Ago Barenaked Ladies Found Maturity with ‘Maroon’
Released back in September 2000, Maroon saw Barenaked Ladies confronting adulthood and leaving novelty behind.