Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Gallus and Kishi Bashi were among the highlights on the first night of SXSW Music Festival 2022 on March 14.
Read More »SXSW Music Festival 2022: Monday, March 14
Pop
Music Reviews: Judy Collins’s ‘Spellbound’ and Natalie Cole’s ‘Unforgettable,’ plus Tone of Voice Orchestra, the Lied To’s, and Back pOrchEstra
Collins's 55th album is also the first to consist entirely of self-penned material. Also: a reissue of Cole's tribute to her father's music and new releases from three up-and-coming acts.
Read More »Ukraine War Immediately Impacts Cultural Life Worldwide, From Eurovision to Carnegie Hall, Champions League to Formula 1
Sports and the arts cannot stay above the fray as Vladimir Putin pursues his agenda of deadly aggression in Ukraine.
Read More »Music Reviews: The Left Banke, ‘The Beatles and India,’ Peter Tosh, the HawtThorns, and April March
Previously unheard baroque rock gems from the group that gave us the classic "Walk Away Renee." Also: a great reggae concert, Beatles covers by Indian artists, and more.
Read More »Music Reviews: Charley Patton, Jesse Correll, Mike Zito, Amy Jay, the Pine Hearts, and Joan Osborne
Six new releases, everything from vintage blues to introspective folk-rock.
Read More »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 »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 »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.
Read More »Music Reviews: Alan Freed’s Radio Shows, Eliza Gilkyson, Mickey & Sylvia, and Grant Dermody & Frank Fotusky
A taste of Freed's historic rock radio broadcasts, Gilkyson's best album, an anthology from Mickey & Sylvia, and acoustic blues from Dermody & Fotusky.
Read More »Music Reviews: A 50th-Anniversary Edition of Frank Zappa’s ‘200 Motels’ plus Jeff Tweedy’s ‘Chelsea Walls’ Soundtrack and Josh Caterer’s ‘Space Sessions’
A deluxe version of Zappa's '200 Motels' fills six CDs. Also, a reissue of the 'Chelsea Walls' soundtrack, with music by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy; and Josh Caterer's latest.
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