All-Star Lists

Preston Frazier’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Pop and Jazz): Simon Phillips, Kere Buchanan, Nathan East, Oz Noy, Judith Owen, Toto

Preston Frazier’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Pop and Jazz): Simon Phillips, Kere Buchanan, Nathan East, Oz Noy, Judith Owen, Toto

Already, we’ve heard so much great stuff from the Toto family tree of music.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Avant Garde & Experimental Jazz): Jimmy Giuffre, Roscoe Mitchell, Jamie Saft/Joe Morris

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Avant Garde & Experimental Jazz): Jimmy Giuffre, Roscoe Mitchell, Jamie Saft/Joe Morris

The appeal of this music is its unbiased diversity and lack of set rules.

Nick DeRiso’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Roots and Prog): John Oates, Jack White, David Crosby, Joe Henry, GOASTT, California Breed

Nick DeRiso’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Rock, Roots and Prog): John Oates, Jack White, David Crosby, Joe Henry, GOASTT, California Breed

A career-defining three-EP set, a stirring comeback, another thrilling head scratcher.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014  (Modern and Mainstream Jazz): Steve Lehman, Jamie Saft, Matthew Shipp, Joe Beck

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Modern and Mainstream Jazz): Steve Lehman, Jamie Saft, Matthew Shipp, Joe Beck

The future of jazz looks blindingly bright.

Fred Phillips’ Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Hard Rock and Metal): Anti-Mortem, Down, Lacuna Coil

Fred Phillips’ Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Hard Rock and Metal): Anti-Mortem, Down, Lacuna Coil

10 early favorites, plus some great stuff to look forward to later this year.

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014  (Non-Jazz): Jack White, Me’Shell Ndegéocello, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams

S. Victor Aaron’s Mid-Year Best of 2014 (Non-Jazz): Jack White, Me’Shell Ndegéocello, Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda Williams

Here are the seven best albums outside of realm of jazz so far in 2014. So says me.

S. Victor Aaron’s Top Unreviewed Jazz and Fusion Records of 2013: Ivo Perelman, Frank Rosaly

S. Victor Aaron’s Top Unreviewed Jazz and Fusion Records of 2013: Ivo Perelman, Frank Rosaly

So many great records to rave about…and so little time to rave. Last year I started a new tradition with a “just one more list before we’re done with lists” kind of list. You May Also Like: Ivo Perelman + Arcado String Trio – ‘Deep Resonance’ (2020) Ivo Perelman –Read More

Best of the Best: The Official™ Something Else! Top 10 for 2013: Steven Wilson, Black Sabbath, The Band

Best of the Best: The Official™ Something Else! Top 10 for 2013: Steven Wilson, Black Sabbath, The Band

Every one has had their individual say, made their choices, argued the point. Now, it’s time for consensus ruling from the bench: Here is The Official™ Top 10 for 2013 from Something Else! You May Also Like: Black Sabbath – ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970): On Second Thought How Robben Ford’s ‘TheRead More

Fred Phillips’ Best of 2013 (Country and Southern Rock): Shooter Jennings, Sturgill Simpson, Hank III

Fred Phillips’ Best of 2013 (Country and Southern Rock): Shooter Jennings, Sturgill Simpson, Hank III

I certainly don’t claim to be any sort of expert on country music. I’m a metal kid from the sticks who was reintroduced to my country roots through Johnny Cash’s resurgence in the early 1990s. You May Also Like: Shooter Jennings – ‘Shooter’ (2018) How Loretta Lynn Broke the CountryRead More

Fred Phillips’ Best of 2013 (Metal and Hard Rock): Amon Amarth, Tom Keifer, Black Sabbath, Carcass

Fred Phillips’ Best of 2013 (Metal and Hard Rock): Amon Amarth, Tom Keifer, Black Sabbath, Carcass

Any time my year-end list starts with more than 20 candidates, it’s been a pretty metal year for me. That was the case for 2013 You May Also Like: Black Sabbath – ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970): On Second Thought Why Black Sabbath Went Out on a High Note With ’13’ BeastRead More