1986

African Pop 

Gumboots: Paul Simon’s ‘Graceland’ Turns 40

August 27, 2026August 27, 2026 Dave Steinfeld 0 Comments 1986, 40th Anniversary, Ashley Kahn, Graceland, Hearts and Bones, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon, Roy Halee, Under African Skies, You Can Call Me Al

New book shines light on a pop masterpiece

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Alternative Rock Rock 

Lifes Rich Pageant Turns 40

July 28, 2026July 29, 2026 Ron Hart 0 Comments 1986, 40th Anniversary, Bill Berry, I.R.S. Records, Lifes Rich Pageant, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck, R.E.M.

A quick salute to an R.E.M. classic

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Pop Synth 

He Wrote the Book Of Love

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026 Ron Hart 0 Comments 1986, Book Of Love, Depeche Mode, Jade Lee, Lauren Roselli, Rhino Entertainment, Susan Ottaviano, Ted Jensen, Ted Ottaviano

A Pride Parade interview with synthpop pioneer Ted Ottaviano

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Pop Progressive Rock Rock 

Is ‘Invisible Touch’ the Best Worst or Worst Best ’80s Pop Album?

June 8, 2026June 8, 2026 Jim Allen 0 Comments 1986, 40th Anniversary, Genesis, In Too Deep, Invisible Touch, Land of Confusion, Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, Throwing It All Away, Tony Banks

At 40, how has the polarizing Genesis blockbuster aged?

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Punk 

Apeman Hop: The Ramones’ ‘Animal Boy’ Turns 40

May 19, 2026May 19, 2026 Lee Zimmerman 2 Comments 1986, 40th Anniversary, Animal Boy, Dee Dee Ramone, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Richie Ramone, Ronald Reagan, The Ramones

Looking back at one of their most underrated albums

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Hip Hop 

Talk This Way: Run-D.M.C.’s ‘Raising Hell’ Turns 40

May 17, 2026May 17, 2026 Dan Weiss 0 Comments 1986, 40th Anniversary, Adidas, Aerosmith, DMC, It's Tricky, Jam Master Jay, My Adidas, Profile Records, Raising Hell, Rev Run, Run-D.M.C., Walk This Way

Looking back on the Queens trio’s breakthrough 3rd LP

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Pop Rock 

The Bangles’ Different Light Turns 40

January 13, 2026January 14, 2026 Lee Zimmerman 0 Comments 1986, 40th Anniversary, Apollonia, Christopher, Columbia Records, Debbi Peterson, Different Light, Jules Shear, Manic Monday, Michael Steele, Prince, Susanna Hoffs, The Bangles, Vicki Peterson, Walk Like An Egyptian

Basking in the glow of their smash 2nd LP

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Alternative Rock Experimental Indie Rock Noise Post-Punk Rock 

Tower of Glower: On Sonic Youth’s Walls Have Ears

February 16, 2024February 17, 2024 Raymond Cummings 0 Comments 1986, Bad Moon Rising, Bob Bert, Brighton, Goofin' Records, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, London, Sonic Youth, Steve Shelley, Thurston Moore, UK, Walls Have Ears

How the band learned to stop worrying and love the bootleg

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Alternative Rock Rock 

The Replacements Announce Tim: Let It Bleed Edition

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023 Ron Hart 0 Comments 1986, Bob Mehr, Bob Stinson, Box Set, Chris Mars, Jason Jones, Paul Westerberg, Rhino, Sire Records, The Replacements, Tim, Tim: Let It Bleed Edition, Tommy Stinson

Anticipated 4CD/1LP box set will be released on September 22nd 

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Music Journalism 

The Trouble With Skylarking

November 2, 2021November 11, 2023 Ron Hart 5 Comments 1986, Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory, Dear God, Ken Stringfellow, Todd Rundgren, XTC

XTC’s pop masterpiece turned 35 last week, but has Andy Partridge’s online behavior compromised our ability to appreciate it like we once did?

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African Pop 

A Queens Boy Under African Skies: Paul Simon Is 80

October 13, 2021April 3, 2022 Ron Hart 1 Comment 1986, 80th birthday, Ali Farka Toure, Dollar Brand, Fela Kuti, Graceland, Johnny Clegg & Savuka, King Sunny Ade, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Orchestra Baobab, Paul Simon, Warner Bros.

How Graceland helped guide me to a lifelong love for global music

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Heavy Metal Remembrance 

Remembering Cliff Burton: Orion in Iron

September 27, 2021April 3, 2022 Jim Sullivan 1 Comment 1986, Cliff Burton, James Hetfield, Kill 'Em All, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, Master of Puppets, Metallica, Orion, Ride The Lightning, RIP

Looking back on the artistry of the legendary Metallica bassist on the 35th anniversary of his tragic passing

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