Whimsical curmudgeon Stephin Merritt is undeniably one of the most significant artists of the past 20 years. A clever wordsmith equally devoted to Human League and Cole Porter, Merritt's nascent musical explorations produced the lo-fi, synthesized sound of the Magnetic Fields. Even then, with his intellectual interest in diverse pop and folk instrumentation and the timeless art of charming, sentimental songs, glimmers of a contemporary pop genius shone through.... Read More

Dangers' 2006 release, Anger, was a forthright blast of acrimony encapsulated in traditionally abrasive hardcore. However, where that formula worked just fine, the Southern Californians ― Graf Orlock/Ghostlimb guitarist Justin Smith and long-time colleagues Al Brown (vocals), Tim Culver... Full Review

The early 1980s were an amazing time for music lovers. Underground genres like metal, punk, synth pop, reggae and hip-hop were burbling up into the mainstream. You could hear new music via nascent music TV channels or a newly FM-licensed college radio station near you. You could buy just about anything in your local record store and if they didn't stock it, you could special order.... Read More