Bob Dylan’s Long Road to ‘Rough and Rowdy Ways’
In contemplating the Bard’s remarkable new album, Rob Nicklin obsessively revisits his mammoth 60-year career, before bringing it all back home. (Long read ahead).
Good Reads
Love Will Tear Us Apart: Joy Division’s ‘Closer’ at 40
The life and death of an album that defined and abruptly ended an era.
ALBUM REVIEW: ‘RTJ4’
Killer Mike and El-P’s glorious late-career renaissance continues with another profoundly timely, brilliantly explosive masterpiece.
THE CORNER CLUB: Gil and Jorge
On this edition of The Corner Club (#3), a look at the sparse alchemy of two MPB titans and one incredible jam album.
Quarantine Diaries: Time Traveling with Melody Fields
Drop the needle and right away you’re needing to give your inner eye a quick squeegee.
THE CORNER CLUB: Caetano Veloso’s Beautiful Contradictions
On this edition, we explore Caetano Veloso’s seminal 1968 debut, which sparked a movement in the face of a totalitarian state.
ALBUM REVIEW: Fiona Apple’s ‘Fetch The Bolt Cutters’ is Infinite
The songwriter laureate’s fifth record is a stewing masterpiece, brewed of raw honesty and imperfection.
ALBUM REVIEW: Thundercat Juggles Joy and Pain on ‘It Is What It Is’
The bass virtuoso drops another fantastic voyage that’s even better than than its predecessor.
ALBUM REVIEW: Shabazz Palaces Gets Funky with ‘The Don of Diamond Dreams’
The new record from Ishmael Butler’s experimental rap venture is a delightful mix of psychedelic and corporeal funk.
THE CORNER CLUB: A História do ‘Clube da Esquina’
Welcome to The Corner Club, a new column on the music of Brazil. On the flagship issue, a legendary collective of musicians come together for one of the country’s most important records.
Quarantine Diaries: The Glory of Gil Evans
So now they got me in lockdown. Man is stuck indoors. Nothing to do. Twenty three hours
1001 Albums #1: Frank Sinatra’s ‘In The Wee Small Hours’ (1955)
A series in which I listen and write about every single entry in Universe Publishing’s ‘1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die’.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: Kanye West’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s
The Greatness of Rush’s ‘Moving Pictures’
With last week’s passing of Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart, we revisits the band’s 1981 masterpiece.
Claire Brown’s Top 25 Albums of 2019
If you don’t know many of these, you’re probably over the age of 25.
My Top 5 Music Discoveries of 2019
MMC’s Editor-in-Chief reflects on his year in listening and learning.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: Radiohead’s ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s
ALBUM REVIEW: Leonard Cohen’s Takes a Final Bow on ‘Thanks for the Dance’
The Godfather of Gloom had one more timeless tome up his sleeve.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: Father John Misty’s ‘I Love You, Honeybear’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s.
ALBUM REVIEW: The Who Come Full Circle on ‘WHO’
Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey finally figured out how to forge on.
Kids Don’t Love Terrible Music, They’re Taught To
Don’t blame children for the bad music they’re exposed to.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: Deerhunter’s ‘Halcyon Digest’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s.
My Experience at Kanye West’s Sunday Service
Three years ago, in September of 2016, I saw Kanye West perform at Madison Square
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: PJ Harvey’s ‘Let England Shake’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s.
ALBUM REVIEW: Liam Gallagher Sucks on ‘Why Me? Why Not?’
Our writer is not a fan of the latest post-Oasis solo album.
ALBUM REVIEW: Wilco Marches on with ‘Ode To Joy’
The indie monolith’s 11th LP is a restrained but relentless symphony.
ALBUM REVIEW: The Gospel According to Kanye West
The man who once declared “I Am A God,” grapples with his version of what it means to be “Christ-like.”
ALBUM REVIEW: Gang Starr Comes Back to Life on ‘One of the Best Yet’
With Guru spitting from beyond the grave, ain’t a damn thing changed.
ALBUM REVIEW: Big Thief Comes Back to Earth on ‘Two Hands’
If fans were hoping for a more direct follow-up to 2017’s ‘Capacity’ in ‘U.F.O.F.’, they finally got it here.
YOU GOTTA HEAR THIS: ‘The Time For Peace Is Now’
Move aside Kanye. If you want some Christian music that really slaps, Luaka Bop’s latest compilation is your salvation.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: Jamie xx’s ‘In Colour’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s.
THE UNDERDOGS: Animal Collective’s ‘Centipede Hz’
A column about underrated albums that didn’t get their due.
ALBUM REVIEW: JPEGMAFIA’s ‘Cornball’ is a Searing Manifesto for the Internet Age
The experimental rap firestarter returns with a fragmented, complicated work that capitalizes on the increasing hype around his name.
My Experience at MineGala, the Most Bizarre Music Festival Ever
A virtual music festival for very real music nerds.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: Destroyer’s ‘Kaputt’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s.
ALBUM REVIEW: Sleater-Kinney Sounds like Someone New on ‘The Center Won’t Hold’
Depending on your perspective, the riot grrrl heroes’ St. Vincent-produced ninth LP is either a triumph or a tragedy.
ALBUM REVIEW: Lana Del Ray Finds the Silver Lining on ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell’
We knew Lana can swear like a sailor, but the knowledge that she can feel things comes as more of a shock.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: The National’s ‘High Violet’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s.
ALBUMS OF THE DECADE: Japandroids’ ‘Celebration Rock’
MMC Writers reflect on their favorite records of the 2010s.
Hidden Gems: Lil Ugly Mane’s ‘Mista Thug Isolation’
With Hidden Gems, we look back at great albums that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve.
BAD ALBUM ANNIVERSARIES: ‘Chicago Transit Authority’
Not all anniversaries are good.
Sunset Rubdown: A Decade of Absurdity and Escapism
Ten years since their final album, Sunset Rubdown’s discography is a welcome reprieve from the modern world.
THE UNDERDOGS: Spoon’s ‘Transference’
A column about underrated albums that didn’t get their due.
Interview with a 17-Year-Old Music Meme Star
Brandon Gleneicki (@beglivesforthebeats) discusses selling out, Weyes Blood and turning his brother into a Bladee fan.
ALBUM REVIEW: Bon Iver Comes Full Circle on ‘i,i’
The new record from Justin Vernon and company is an expansive, welcoming culmination of everything they’ve done.
What’s In A Name: Pink Floyd
A series exploring how our favorite bands got their name.
‘Fear Of Music’ Turns 40
Talking Heads’ third record remains one of the most foreboding records ever made.
ALBUM REVIEW: Fontaines D.C. Make One Hell of an Impression on ‘Dogrel’
The Irish post-punk outfit’s loaded debut is a love letter to Dublin.
ALBUM REVIEW: Peppa Pig’s First Album is One Wild Ride
A dark and harrowing listen from the beloved children’s show character.
Kiefer’s Music Mondays: The Strokes’ ‘Is This It’
The turn of the century classic turns 18 years old this week.