It's Only Rock-n-Roll

As promised, my first foray into reviewing artists and bands of every genre in pop music. After spending the bulk of the last ten years writing about politics, I thought it'd be a nice change of pace to get back to my first love. I haven't given up on politics, mind you, but let's just say I'm looking for a more constructive release of my energies. Now before I go any further, it's worth noting that these are going to be critical reviews of each artist and band. If you're looking for non-critical reviews, I suggest you try Wikipedia. The opinions expressed here are my strictly my own and you are more than free to do with them as you will. As one of my Facebook friends pointed out when he called me Peter Christgau, I've definitely been influenced by Robert Christgau. And with good reason. The former Village Voice critic practically wrote the book on rock criticism, so why reinvent the wheel? Still, since Christgau has never actually reviewed artists and bands...

"There aren't 41 best Prine songs," rock critic Robert Christgau wrote back in 1993 with the release of John Prine's Anthology album. "There are 50, 60, maybe more." Twenty-seven years later, let me just cut to the chase and say there's a truck load more. Shit, I've got over a hundred on my iPhone and I'm still counting. "Illegal Smile," "Hello In There," " Sam Stone," Paradise," "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore," "Angel From Montgomery," "Donald and Lydia," "Souvenirs," "Yes I Guess They Oughta Name a Drink After You," "Please Don't Bury Me," "Christmas in Prison," "Dear Abby," "Blue Umbrella," "Often Is a Word I Seldom Use," "Grandpa Was a Carpenter," "Wedding Day in Funeralville," "My Own Best Friend," "He Was in Heaven Before He Died," and...