It happens every year. The opening chords of Vince Guaraldi’s “O Tannenbaum” surprise me in a coffee shop or store. Notes dance around like falling snow and...
Music
A number of years ago I heard a friend of mine from the Philippines listening to Christmas music in September. When I inquired why he was listening to...
Living for the Other Side The Hillbilly Thomists (Dominican Records, 2021) First off, we have to deal with the band’s name. It comes from Flannery O’Connor...
Peter Stampfel’s 20th Century in 100 Songs Peter Stampfel (Louisiana Red Hot Records, 2021) In 2001 folk musician Peter Stampfel set out to select one song for...
Dark in Here The Mountain Goats (Merge Records, 2021) The sweeping new release by alternative band the Mountain Goats is infectiously upbeat despite its title...
Happier Than Ever Billie Eilish (Interscope, 2021) “I’m getting older, I think I’m aging well” slinks the 19-year-old Billie Eilish as she opens her sophomore...
This Sunday, Kanye West released a new album, Donda, named after his late mother, Donda West. It’s been teased for weeks through massive livestreamed and in...
Jubilee Japanese Breakfast (Dead Oceans, 2021) “Hell is finding someone to love / And I can’t have you,” Michelle Zauner, lead singer and songwriter of indie...
Evermore Taylor Swift (Republic Records, 2020) I did not want to write this review. The reason is simple: Other than her work ethic and productivity, I have...
Good Woman The Staves (Atlantic Records UK, 2021) The opening track of The Staves’ 2021 album Good Woman is so strong, I’ve had it playing on repeat for the...
