How the Fixx Refused to Pander on ‘Beautiful Friction’
The Fixx’s ‘Beautiful Friction’ arrived 10 years ago this week as testament to a band unafraid to follow its muse.
Articles by: Jimmy Nelson
‘Burning Questions’ Found Graham Parker Still Angry, If No Longer Young
Released 30 years ago today, ‘Burning Questions’ showed that time hadn’t dulled Graham Parker’s legendary rapier wit, or his inquisitiveness.
How Beach Boys Found the Sun Again With ‘That’s Why God Made the Radio’
Ten years ago, the Beach Boys returned with the triumphant ‘That’s Why God Made the Radio,’ finally expanding upon their own dashed aspirations.
Sonny Landreth Boldly Stepped Forward on ‘Outward Bound’
Sonny Landreth’s terrific solo re-introduction arrived 30 years ago this month, deftly sidestepping several pitfalls associated with guitar-sideman records.
How Pee Wee Ellis Finally Stepped Into the Spotlight With ‘Blues Mission’
Ex-James Brown saxist Pee Wee Ellis unveiled his debut solo LP 30 years ago this month, proving again that he was one of the funkiest homo sapiens anywhere.
How I Belatedly Learned to Love the Cure’s ‘Wish’
‘Wish’ arrived 30 years ago today as a return to form for the Cure. It just wasn’t the form I wanted.
Were the White Stripes Actually a Bad Thing for Jack White?
Jack White’s solo debut was issued 10 years ago this week, firmly pressing the accelerator toward every exciting musical offramp that’s followed.
How R.L. Burnside’s ‘Bad Luck City’ Introduced an Exciting New Blues Voice
Released 30 years ago, R.L. Burnside’s debut album ‘Bad Luck City’ belatedly introduced an almost fully formed genius.
How the English Beat Stayed Weird But Hit With ‘Save It For Later’ Anyway
Issued 40 years ago today, the English Beat’s closest brush with the mainstream still incorporated all of these bizarrely effective moments of creativity.
‘Francis Albert Sinatra and Antonio Carlos Jobim’ Was Ol’ Blue Eyes at His Late-Period Best
Antonio Carlos Jobim’s bossa-nova orchestrations provided a platform 55 years ago this month for Frank Sinatra’s most interesting latter-day release.
