Britpop Pioneers Squeeze Bring Out the Fun on ‘Trixies’
Squeeze were always ambitious, although never at the expense of fun. Trixies is imaginative, impressive, and most importantly, fun.
new wave
Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” Encapsulates Analog to Algorithmic Longing
In future generations, it is easy to see Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” inspiring the same sensual viscerality as humans being penetrated by their AI sex dolls.
Leisure Process Deliver Treasure From the Vaults
Skittering post-disco rhythms, slap-bass riffs, synth-lines, the ebbs and flows of sax, and declamatory soaring vocals make up the sound of post-punk’s Leisure Process.
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Talk Talk’s Lost Chapter: ‘The Colour of Spring’ at 40
With its organic instrumentation and ecological visual and lyrical sensibility, Talk Talk’s third album was a holistic concept rooted in the natural world.
Blondie Went Genre Crazy on Their Comeback ‘No Exit’
Fueled by the international hit “Maria”, 1999’s No Exit brought Blondie back to life. The record has an admirable sense of adventure.
Naked Eyes’ 1983 Debut Delivers Sincerity in an Ironic World
Naked Eyes’ 1983 debut, Burning Bridges, is a good album for reflecting on our ironic modern world, as it can’t help but wax nostalgic for the sincerity of the past.
‘Extended Stimulation’ Remixes Will Blow Out Speakers in Style
The epic Extended Stimulation set collects remixes of often overlooked 1980s songs, and you’ve never heard them this way before.
Baxter Dury’s ‘Allbarone’ Is His Very Best Album
Baxter Dury has created a rare album that continually reveals hidden depths, both lyrically and musically. Allbarone is a richly observed record.
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Louisville Punk’s Defiance of Violent Conformity
Punk’s rooted, regional, and defiantly local identities made scenes like Louisville punk essential and life-affirming during the violently conformist Reagan years.
Jonathan Richman Finds the Sky Is Frozen
New wave veteran Jonathan Richman isn’t looking back, so why should we? He finds the future is frozen. Things don’t change; they just change form.
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.
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The B-52’s Created Some of the Finest Queer Pop Music
The B-52’s often get relegated as a “party-pop” outfit, but their subversive legacy runs deeper and stranger than any casual fan would know.