My girlfriend and I disagree about reality television shows. She likes the romantic ones and I like, as she puts it, “the ones where people have to eat stuff.�? This isn’t strictly true; I just require a little levity when spying on people’s “real�? lives. Girls moaning about their feelings? I can get that at home. Especially after I switch off Shipmates. (more…)

[This piece originally appeared in the Rage.]

The liner notes to Apollo Up’s new EP, Demonstration Recording, catalog the equipment used to make the recording. Because the gear is limited, this inventory may be intended as a laugh, but Apollo Up’s songs demonstrate a similar fascination with the mechanics of music. (more…)

[This piece originally appeared in the Rage.]

The cover of the Pernice Brothers’ Yours, Mine & Ours depicts fireworks exploding in a night sky. It is as apt a visual metaphor for the Bros.’ music as one could imagine – bright, quick, and intangible. If it weren’t so lightweight, one might even describe their music as “power pop.�? Mostly, they recall thin 80s pop – the Smiths, the Cure, the Church and even modern day Brits like Belle and Sebastian and Travis. (more…)

Truly, it is so easy to write on Madonna that it’s difficult. There are too many things to say. The woman is a mystery. Well, not so much a mystery as an idiot. In fact, she addresses this very subject in the third track of her new album - American Life - titled “I’m So Stupid.” Unfortunately, even Madonna seems unable to penetrate the mystery of herself. (more…)

[This piece originally appeared in the Rage.]

The Blur fan finds himself left in the lurch with Think Tank. First there was the departure of guitarist Graham Coxon before the record was completed (Coxon appears on one track) which is the equivalent of Keef leaving Mick. Remember that record Aerosmith did without Joe Perry? No one does. Blur has always been singer/songwriter Damon Albarn’s show, but the chemistry between him and Coxon arguably created Blur’s finest music. (more…)