"Let's go, it's beat time, it's hop time, it's monk time!" Today on @spectrumculture.bsky.social , I review the Munster Records reissue of one of the strangest yet essential '60s albums...The Monks' Black Monk Time: spectrumculture.com/2025/09/30/t...

It's hard not to feel left out if you don't enjoy every "groundbreaking" album. In my latest Substack post, I argue the hidden costs of these hype trains by highlighting a particular band: Geese billstakes.substack.com/p/its-okay-i...

Thoughts that share the same energy: "You have to watch the first two seasons before it gets good" "You have to listen to the album over ten times before you can say if you like it or not"

Doctor I trust more than RFK Jr

Tonight's watch: Kurosawa's Scandal

This album slaps so hard. Electronic, pulsating grooves, head-nod inducing beats, great vox. Hard not to want to dance. So glad I picked this one up.

"Though Josie and the Pussycats is a thoroughly enjoyable film that should be known beyond its small cult circles, the film’s themes should also be revisited, as they have become more relevant..." Read more on @spectrumculture.bsky.social here: spectrumculture.com/2025/09/15/r...

Wrote on @spectrumculture.bsky.social about Nickelback, why they were so originally hated and why some are enjoying them years later. Hint: Nostalgia plays a large role. share.google/cvrt2nYqgaEl...

It's not October yet, but this LP feels right this morning.

Pic related: At work, writing a very long, in-depth feature that dozens of people may read.

"Brad Mehldau crafts a thoughtful, purposeful Elliott Smith-inspired album that, though fascinating and endearing, sometimes fails to capture the essence of the musician himself." On @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about the latest Brad Mehldau album here: spectrumculture.com/2025/09/04/b...

We did it! We ranked all 259 U2 songs from worst to best. Thanks for taking this journey with us. Here is the final part: spectrumculture.com/2025/09/04/e...

Damn, Metheny is throwing some serious shade on Kenny G in this here graf.

Wrote about "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," along with one of the greatest psychedelic soul albums of all time on Third Eye Psych Rock. thirdeyepsychrock.blog/2025/08/26/a...

Getting funky with one of the Temptations' best albums. Notice how I said "one," as there are several bangers in their psychedelic soul section of their discography...

Saturdays are for...digging through Nick Heyward's discography, I guess?

This is the YouTube version of the new episode of my Pop & Prose podcast. In it, I'm joined by fellow music lover and writer @hopebillhelps.bsky.social & we discuss our favorite albums released so far this year. 🎶🎧 #music #newmusic

I'm always happy to have a music conversation, and this was one of the best I've had all year! If you're looking for ten great albums that came out this year (so far), check out @buddygott.bsky.social 's latest podcast episode! So many great different genres and artists represented!

Wrote an in-depth deep dive about one of my favorite albums of the Cure, their most recent release Songs of a Lost World on @spectrumculture.bsky.social! Check it out!

I wrote on Substack about content, content creation, and why it might be fucking up art. Check it out if you're interested, though note, it's a very long piece. Like seriously. Get a drink and a snack if you plan on checking this one out. billstakes.substack.com/p/why-conten...

"With thoughtful reflections and developed whimsical backings, Schiffman’s fourth album will appeal to some listeners in the same way that it will alienate others." On @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about Rebecca Schiffman's Before the Future: spectrumculture.com/2025/07/30/r...

On @spectrumculture.bsky.social , I wrote about Midnight Rodeo's debut. The first five songs are great! The next six though...? Read more here: spectrumculture.com/2025/07/24/m...

Hey Mangione, nice shot: On feelin' good in the neighborhood. spectrumculture.com/2025/07/22/b...

Had some weird thoughts about concerts and mainstream bands. Couldn't help but write about it on my Substack. open.substack.com/pub/billstak...

I normally really enjoy Stephen King books, especially his recent works that include Holly Gibney. However, Never Flinch is an exception, a rare recent miss by the prolific writer. Read my review on @spectrumculture.bsky.social here: spectrumculture.com/2025/07/13/n...

I read about reviewer requirements on a major music publication, and some didn't sit well with me. Read more on my Substack. open.substack.com/pub/billstak...

Look, Amazon is all for "convenience," as long as it benefits them.

I feel like the endgame with Spotify is that it will be completely AI in 10 years. They'll have enough of its users' data to understand what they'll be looking for with their favorite artists so if they want the likeness of "Taylor Swift" they can produce it without missing a step or paying a human.

On my Substack, I wrote about The Velvet Sundown, their AI-Generated music, what it means for passive music listeners, and how you can tell that it's AI-Generated. open.substack.com/pub/billstak...

Wrote about Amelia Coburn, her 2024 debut, and how much I continue to enjoy it. If you're into folk music with phenomenal songwriting, maybe you will too: open.substack.com/pub/billstak...

On @spectrumculture.bsky.social today, I wrote about the documentary Nobu. Although the film isn't able to stick the landing in its conclusion, it mostly presents a heartwarming story about a family man propelled by his love of food to go after his dreams: spectrumculture.com/2025/06/30/n...

Wrote about Smut. Ok, ok, THE BAND Smut and their new album. Get your head out of the gutter. There are great tunes here worth checking out: billstakes.substack.com/p/mixing-pop...

I wrote about "Relatively Clean Rivers" on Third Eye Psych Rock, an obscure psych rock album by an even more obscure psych rock artist. You'll be hooked by Phil Pearlman's story and stay for his music: thirdeyepsychrock.blog/2025/06/26/r...

I wrote about an ambient record I keep returning to, one of my favorites this year (so far): open.substack.com/pub/billstak...

If you're looking for a twisting, turning, heart-wrenching tale about kick-ass music, have I got an article for you. This is one of my favorites I've written so far this year. Thanks to @spectrumculture.bsky.social for publishing this and spreading the power pop gospel of the Dwight Twilley Band.

Phoebe Rings’ Aseurai utilizes strong song construction and album theming to express something new about longing, loss and nostalgia. @phoeberings.bsky.social

Wrote about Sandy Nelson's SUPERDRUMS! on my Substack. It may be kitschy instrumental rock, but it's GOOD kitschy instrumental rock! billstakes.substack.com/p/bring-in-t...

The first track of Lucy Gooch's new album is a standout. I wish I could have said the same about the other tracks. I wrote more on @spectrumculture.bsky.social here: share.google/47Ovxo7acRDg...

Feeling Lewis Fury's chaotic energy today

Wrote on my Substack about Pokemon’s “2.B.A. Master” and why, despite its catchy chorus, it illustrates a slapdash, hurried construction: billstakes.substack.com/p/2ba-master...

Chloe Foy’s new album Complete Fool has phenomenal backing instrumentation, but the lyrics...leave something to be desired. Read my review on @spectrumculture.bsky.social: spectrumculture.com/2025/06/10/c...

Yes, I reviewed Miley Cyrus’ Something Beautiful. Yes, I gave it an 80% and recommended it. Before you disagree, read my review on @spectrumculture.bsky.social: spectrumculture.com/2025/06/10/m...

Hayden Pedigo's latest album is one of his best, an instrumental journey of primitive guitar blending psychedelic rock and ambient music. Learn more by reading my review on @spectrumculture.bsky.social: spectrumculture.com/2025/06/08/h...

On @spectrumculture.bsky.social, I wrote about one of Kathryn Bigelow's least discussed movies, the box office bomb The Weight of Water: spectrumculture.com/2025/06/05/o...

Wrote about the "Pokémon Theme" and how the lyrics are effective marketing for kids on my Substack below. Glad I could put my English degree to good use: billstakes.substack.com/publish/home...

Wrote about a indie folk-adjacent rock album on my Substack I really enjoyed. Though the dream pop soundscapes were gorgeous, the lyrics were top notch. I dive deep and analyze Creepy Crawly's Like a Real Thing here: billstakes.substack.com/p/how-to-fig...

Despite physical media's ability to preserve history, there are limitations and hidden costs. A recent personal experience watching the 1994 show The Critic made me think in depth about them. Check out my Substack post here: open.substack.com/pub/billstak...

I know The Doors are a baby boomer institution, but I never truly understood their appeal, especially their 1967 debut album, until something recently changed my mind. Hear me out before you skin me alive. I write about it in my latest Substack post: open.substack.com/pub/billstak...

Streaming services can change anything they want about the media you consume. Don't believe me? Check out my latest post on Substack where a personal experience allows me to uncover a hidden truth: billstakes.substack.com/p/how-stream...

When I went to see Arm's Length last week, one of the openers (Bike Routes) surprised me. Enough that I bought their latest EP and wrote about their songs on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/billstak...