The Top Ten Albums of 2009 (Part 1)

So let me just start by saying that this was the best year in music history. Let me continue by qualifying the last statement (for all the critics out there) – 2009 was the best year in music history as far as I am concerned. I actually had to cut out quite a few albums, [...]

J.Ro’s Top 8 of ‘08 (Part 4)

2. “Dear Science,”, TV on the Radio

To call it a critical success would be an understatement, as the newest album by Brooklyn’s TV on the Radio won “Album of the Year” awards from Rolling Stone, Spin, MTV, The Onion AV Club, The Guardian, and Pitchfork.  It also became the trendy album last year for music [...]

J.Ro’s Top 8 of ‘08 (Part 3)

Here comes my #4 and #3 albums of last year, can you believe it?  I know, I know, it’s been months.  I really like making the “end of year album list”, but it unfortunately takes me most of the next year to finish writing them up.  By the time I’m done, it’s time to start [...]

J. Ro’s Top 8 of ‘08 (Part 2)

Ok, here’s the next installment of my Top 8 of ‘08 — that didn’t take long at all, did it? Be sure to read Part 1 of 4 for the #7 and #8 albums, and the honorable mentions. Let’s continue.

J. Ro’s Top 8 of ‘08 (Part 1)

Ok, it’s getting to be time — I’ve come up with a list for the Best Albums of 2008. There were too many for a top 5, but I wasn’t confident enough on some of them to make it a top 10, so I settled on a “Top 8 of ‘08″. See if your favorites made the cut, and maybe you’ll discover something new to check out!

Rant: The Top Five Most Overrated Bands in the History of Rock Music

Few things inspire as much passion and controversy as lists of the best — or worst — musical artists. While the tastes of each individual may vary, there’s a great deal of collective opinion and mass popularity that is constantly used to measure up the overall importance of a band. Sometimes it is on the mark, and sometimes not. Here I present five (ok, more than five — I took some creative liberties in making the list) bands that, for one reason or another, have been given much more credit than they deserve.

Rave: Vossler’s Top 5 Favorite Albums of 2008

Our resident rocker Ben Vossler reviews 2008 with his list of Top 5 albums. Be sure to let him know how wrong he is in the comments!

Rant: I hate that Coldplay stole from Joe Satriani

Coldplay has been on a downward spiral since the release of X&Y, their disastrous third album that dissapointed fans and critics. Yet, the charge that they stole parts of Joe Satriani’s work is especially stinging.

Why does it break whatever shred of respect we still had for Coldplay? Why should it tell us that they truly are among the fallen? And why does it make me really, really, really hate them?

Because it’s not just the fact that you stole that matters. It’s who you stole the riff from that makes all the difference.