Kasey Chambers

Here are two videos from the great Kasey Chambers, an Australian country singer/songwriter. I think hers is one of the most unique voices in music today – both her actual voice, and her songwriting.

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen a lucky man this Christmas

Leonard Cohen in 2008 by Rama. This Christmas, music took a strange turn towards the democratic, at least in the UK. And it did so in a fairly unexpected way: not in iTunes or because consumers voted with their credit … [read more]

Seal Soul

Listening to: Seal, Soul

A review of Seal’s Soul (2008) At the beginning of his classic track “Killer,” Seal says, “It’s the loneliness that’s the killer.” And maybe that’s just it: after you marry a supermodel and get her to duet with you on … [read more]

Idan Raichel Project

Listening to: Idan Raichel’s Project

A review of Idan Raichel’s Project’s The Idan Raichel Project (2006) Am I dating myself (38) by talking about world music? Does anyone other than 35 plus year olds with a liberal bent still listen to world music? These days, … [read more]

Van Morrison by Leo Reynolds

Van Morrison

I’ve been listening to Van Morrison for days now. He’s someone I had somehow ignored so far in my 25 years of listening and collecting music. In the 80s, when my listening habits were formed, Van was on a path … [read more]

Depeche Mode Violator Deluxe

Today’s desert island disc: Depeche Mode, Violator

A review of Depeche Mode’s Violator (1990) It’s hard to remember, from today’s perspective, just how powerful Depeche Mode’s Violator was when it came out in 1990. It neatly, elegantly bridged the gap between punk and mainstream pop while at … [read more]