I reviewed the new record from Mark Trecka, a dark, industrial post-punk adventure.

Watching “200 Cigarettes” for the first time, and wow, what a self-absorbed pile of garbage. It’s painfully bad

One of the things that I’ve taken from all of the review writing I’ve done so far this year is that 2026 has been responsible for some of the craziest, most creatively rich experimental jazz music I’ve heard in ages. The new Adam Schatz record is a perfect example and I reviewed it for PopMatters.

You could write a whole screenplay retrofitted to this one line.

Kraftwerk’s iconic “Radio-Activity” recently turned 50, and a deluxe reissue has been released. I reviewed this groundbreaking album for PopMatters.

I think this is the third Phillip Golub album I've reviewed over the past couple of years and it might be my favorite. Dazzling microtonal jazz, kind of a Zappa-meets-Sun Ra vibe. Great stuff.

Blue Origin and Amazon Prime have officially merged. Your package is either: * Delivered * Delayed * In orbit * A smoking crater in Florida

We are 131 petitions short of 17,000 signatures. Please sign & share.

Rest in peace. Sonny was an absolute giant.

It’s Bob Dylan’s birthday! My top ten favorite albums (subject to change): 1. Blood on the Tracks 2. Highway 61 Revisited 3. New Morning 4. Another Side of Bob Dylan 5. Infidels 6. Desire 7. Oh Mercy 8. Bringing it All Back Home 9. Blonde on Blonde 10. John Wesley Harding

like, the whole band?

Not a fan of this shirt, which the social media algorithm thought I would like. It looks like something SNL’s On Blast Guy would wear

I made dinner tonight, but my wife sent me directions from work via a series of text messages, so I guess it’s a true group effort

Impeachment is no longer sufficient. He must be dangled by a crane over the yawning pit of the demolished ballroom and shaken by his bloated ankles until all the money falls out. This is the new median position

I reviewed the new record by ambient country masters SUSS.

Ritchie Blackmore’s Wikipedia page is a wild ride

The beginning of a series. Ten Songs I Love, Part I:

Lmao

I’ve been a fan of Matt Evans’ music since I first heard his excellent 2020 album, “New Topographics.” The percussionist/composer/experimentalist’s new record, “Daydream Observatory,” is another exercise in dynamic, alien musical shapes. Here’s my review. www.popmatters.com/matt-evans-d...

Ron DeSantis and the Republican Florida legislature spent years banning books in schools, trans kids from using the bathroom, and mentioning LGBTQ people in schools. The result? Florida's test reading scores have sunk to dead last in the country. www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/f...

Sad news for Frank Zappa fans, longtime band member Ike Willis passed away at the age of 70. Here I am with him in March 2000 in Boston after he did a set with Project/Object, the Zappa tribute band he often fronted. An amazing vocalist and guitarist. He’ll be missed

hey john. its your cousin marvin. marvin cage! you know that new sound youve been looking for? well listen to this *hangs up phone*

Can’t recommend the new Unwed Sailor album strongly enough. A beautiful post-rock, ambient vibe. I reviewed “High Remembrance” for PopMatters.

I reviewed the breathtaking new album by Jolanda Moletta, which explores the power of the female voice.

When we took office, NYC had a $12B deficit. Today it’s zero. And we didn’t close that gap on the backs of working people. We closed it while funding parks, libraries, safer streets, & public housing. Call it Pothole Politics or Democratic Socialism: We are government that delivers for the people.

A couple of amazing Cecil Taylor concerts from 1969 have been released in a stunning new boxed set from Elemental Music. I reviewed “Fragments” over at PopMatters. www.popmatters.com/cecil-taylor...

It’s not necessarily just the booing that’s instructive; it is, as noted, that she is absolutely gobsmacked by it. She very obviously had no idea there was any remote possibility this would happen.

I reviewed the excellent new album from NYC-based indie artist Ben “Baby” Copperhead, a delightful, dense slab of imaginative psych-folk.

It’s Orson Welles’ birthday Seen here in Rome, 1974

The new split release from OOIOO and Lightning Bolt is just as amazing and unhinged as you imagine it would be. I reviewed it for PopMatters.

John Flansburgh turns 66 years old today. John Linnell turns 67 next month. It’s weird. I always pictured these guys to be permanently in their 40s.

600k a year, over 4 or 5 years, that’s getting up into the mass murder big leagues. Trying to unseat the big H.

Hey, why not: three mix discs I made for my friend Scott, circa 2008?

Watching “ Against All Odds” for the first time and hey, 1984 Jeff Bridges was a snack

Sorry, but I will continue to voice my unpopular opinion that Wes Anderson is a hack thehardtimes.net/culture/new-...

I’m a bit stoned and this dad joke-level headline combined with this particular photo is making me laugh a lot www.theguardian.com/film/2026/ap...

I reviewed the typically stellar new Paul Weller live album for PopMatters, which emphasizes more recent solo material, but also features older songs and some inspired covers.

Paul Weller has a brand new live album out, which I reviewed for PopMatters. You’ll see that soon enough, but first, allow me to indulge you with a feature story I wrote about him a couple of years ago. Interviewing him was a supreme pleasure. www.popmatters.com/conversation...

a good name for a horse would be Kris Klipclopperston

Stephen Becker describes his new album, “Gravity Blanket” as “a living diary.” It’s an oddly engaging slice of indie pop with deep sophistication and unique textures. Read my PopMatters review! www.popmatters.com/stephen-beck...

When the maracas come in at 1:45 youtu.be/v-1OgNqBkVE?...

Not all heroes wear capes

TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT

I realize nobody is exactly putting Everything Must Go at the top of their favorite Steely Dan albums list, but this song has been in heavy rotation with me for a while. Nothing earth-shattering, but the groove is a killer youtu.be/5COKx5os4EY?...

Woke up at dawn and walked for eight miles. It’s a weekend thing I’ve been doing for the past several months. Gotta keep the body moving!

Definite contender for album of the year. Zappa meets Sun Ra. Incredible. phillipgolub.bandcamp.com/album/partis...

I love this deadline.com/2026/04/rosa...

Hot Beatles take: “Piggies” is a banger

New York-based duo Frog, featuring brothers Daniel and Steve Bateman, released their latest album last week, a tuneful, quirky collection of brilliant, lo-fi bedroom pop. I reviewed “Frog for Sale” for PopMatters. www.popmatters.com/frog-for-sal...

I’ve been a fan of Thin Lear’s music since I first heard his excellent album “Wooden Cave” back in 2020 (an declared it my favorite album of the year). His new one is out on Friday and I reviewed it for PopMatters.