Two things I really like about the end of the year–making comprehensive mixes of the music of the last 12 months, and giving cheap presents. This is a way for me to do both. Well, here they are–the first two products of about two weeks (off and on, mind you) of narrowing my year-end favorites [...]

There’s been an obvious trend the past few years for post-post-punk bands to name themselves with an eye toward the militaristic and/or political–Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Interpol–nominally (not ideologically) aligning themselves with the originator of the trend, Army of Lovers. No, wait, Gang of Four. Anyhoo, Sweden’s Lucknow Pact is named after a [...]

After a week-long respite in the Florida sun, I’m back, with a list inspired by my pal Irving of the 10 best singles so far this year. As I compiled it, I noticed that my ideal top ten is replete with up-tempo, danceable numbers–my ideal, parallel-universe Billboard chart.
1. The Decemberists “16 Military Wives“–At a typically [...]