JD McPherson Adds New Wave Glam to His Rock ‘n’ Roll
Nite Owls is JD McPherson’s most fully realized front-to-back example of his talent yet, and it points the way to an even more exciting follow-up.
rock n roll
How Dion DiMucci Influenced Bruce Springsteen
Fifteen years before a 20-something Bruce Springsteen sweated out his original sin in clubs along the Jersey Shore, there was the rock and roller Dion.
Thelma and the Sleaze’s ‘Holey Water’ Is the Rock Album We Need
Thelma and the Sleaze continue their reign as the queens of loud, gaudy, disreputable rock ‘n’ roll on Holey Water, one of the funnest rock albums of the year.
Low Cut Connie Pays Homage to New York and Lou Reed on ‘Art Dealers’
Low Cut Connie’s Art Dealers offers empathetic portraits of people and places that he presumes have been undeservedly ignored or overlooked.
Dr. John’s ‘The Montreux Years’ Highlights His Very Best
The 14 performances recorded over 26 years at the Montreux Jazz Festival capture New Orleans’ Mac “Dr. John” Rebennack at the peak of his powers.
‘Rip It Up: The Best of Specialty Records’ Makes the Case for Being Rock ‘n’ Roll’s Ground Zero
Art Rupe’s little Hollywood label, Specialty Records celebrated Black culture’s boundless beauty, energy, joy, and excitement. It was also an originator of the rock ‘n’ roll sound.
Elvis Presley’s Unlikely Comeback
Eric Wolfson’s Elvis Presley’s From Elvis in Memphis examines the greatest accomplishment of Elvis’ career: a comeback album that reinstated his relevance.
Black Diamond Queens: African American Women and Rock and Roll (excerpt)
Ikette Claudia Lennear, rumored to be the inspiration for Mick Jagger's "Brown Sugar", often felt disconnect between her identity as an African American woman and her engagement with rock. Enjoy this excerpt of cultural anthropologist Maureen Mahon's Black Diamond Queens, courtesy of Duke University Press.
Laura Nyro’s “Save the Country” Calls Out from the Past
Laura Nyro, a witchy, queer, ethnic Russian Jew, died young, but her non-conformist anthem, "Save the Country", carries forth to these troubled times.
10 Great Little Richard Songs You’ve Never Heard
Little Richard is remembered best for his groundbreaking run of 1950s hits, but the late "Tutti Frutti" belter sporadically recorded gems over his last 50 years.
Wyldlife Celebrates Flowers, Friendship, and Jesus and Mary Chain in Their New Song, “Automatic” (premiere)
New York quartet Wildlife has plenty of glam and pop swagger to go around on single "Automatic" from upcoming LP Year of the Snake.
The Claudettes Celebrate Love and Solitude With “24/5” (premiere + interview)
Eclectic Chicago quartet, the Claudettes, return with High Times in the Dark, which spotlights their musical ferocity and flexibility. Hear the new single "24/5".