Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
One of our greatest blues-rock singers takes on the biggest songs by the blues-based hard rock legends and hits a home run.
Read More »Music Review: Beth Hart – ‘A Tribute to Led Zeppelin’
Music Genres
Music Reviews: Lucinda Williams and John Sebastian, Plus Marshall Crenshaw, Wild Rivers, Michael Veitch, and Kate MacLeod
Lucinda Williams covers Rolling Stones and Christmas songs, and John Sebastian revisits the Spoonful songbook. Plus four more new releases.
Read More »Music Reviews: Lise Davidsen and Leif Ove Andsnes – ‘Edvard Grieg’, and Shani Diluka – ‘The Proust Album’
The Norwegian soprano and pianist pay tribute to Norway's greatest composer, while Shani Diluka evokes Proust with an enchanting set of French music.
Read More »Music Reviews: Janis Ian, Hollywood Flames, Whitmore Sisters, Julie Christensen, and more
Janis Ian's latest could be her best—and her last. Plus, overlooked doo-wop, a fine sister duo, an excellent tribute to Kevin Gordon, and more.
Read More »Charlie Doherty’s Top Songs and Albums of 2021
A brief but varied list of favorites of 2021 that includes Neil Young, SZA, Jesse Malin, Julien Baker, War on Drugs, and more.
Read More »Concert Review: Yo-Yo Ma Joins Youth Music Culture Guangdong Symphony Orchestra at Closing Concert
A stellar concert brought the 2022 edition of YMCG to a close with Beethoven and Dvořák from the past, Yo-Yo Ma from a distance, and much promise for the future.
Read More »Music Review: Beast Nest – ‘Sicko’
'Sicko', by Beast Nest, is an example of how so called emotionless electronic music can express feelings as well as any acoustic instrument.
Read More »Concert Review: Three of China’s Top Student String Quartets Play Beethoven at Youth Music Culture Guangdong, China
The Discovery Beethoven Quartet concert featuring three of China's top student string quartets proved one of the most exciting events at 2022's festival.
Read More »Concert Review: Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center – Beethoven, Schulhoff, Dvořák (18 January 2022)
String quintets and sextets by Beethoven, Dvorak and Schulhoff launched the CMS's 2022 concert schedule.
Read More »Music Interview: Lovin’ Spoonful’s John Sebastian
The Lovin’ Spoonful cofounder, who composed some of the greatest hit singles of the 1960s, talks about his childhood, his songwriting, the Woodstock festival, his new album, and more.
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