The Dean of American Rock Critics: Most recent files added to or significantly edited. http://www.robertchristgau.com en-US http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2026-03-11 Growing up pop, band dreams vs. critical practice, The Only Ones on record and in print, Yankee Hotel Mea Culpa, the Tallahatchie Bridge not taken, and sixteen live ones. Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:53:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2026-03.php At the top: Aesop Rock, Buck 65, Masaka Kids Africana, and The Paranoid Style. Plus: The Cucumbers, Gogol Bordello, Madonna, Charli XCX, and Abdallah Oumbadougou's desert blues. Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:53:01 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2026-02-18 Some health notes, Bird: still lives, the live Dead, the A shelves explained, reissues not reevaluated, and some faves. Sat, 21 Feb 2026 16:44:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2026-02.php One of the great interpretive singers of our epoch takes on Lou Reed, abstract and impressive amapiano, the most explicitly leftist album in far too long, and a reliable Nashvillian with 11 winners Wed, 11 Feb 2026 18:34:08 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-12-19 Favorite instruments, Xgau at the radar station, classical colleagues, Phish still fishy, heavy reading, and wanker's delight. Thu, 25 Dec 2025 17:07:50 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-12.php Detailed and complicated songs of marital strife, super rhyming over a panoply of speedy beats, an A+ Thelonius Monk compilation, and an ancient Ugandan instrument provides brand new kicks. Sat, 13 Dec 2025 12:35:42 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-11-26 What's in a name, live vs. recorded, tuneful vs. melodic, Pulnoc at P.S. 122, a lost Clash cassette, and a half-century-plus of delightful rhetoric. Sun, 30 Nov 2025 11:36:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/snider-25.php "Preaching Agnosticism (With Laugh Lines)," from "The Barnes and Noble Review," April 30, 2012 Mon, 17 Nov 2025 20:29:47 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-11.php Shameless beauty track after track, an inspirational Afropop surprise, mood pieces suitable for the despondent historical moment, and a country album that fights the blues with more blues. Sun, 16 Nov 2025 18:53:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/seeger-25.php From her first solo album in 1955 at 19 to her Last Farewell tour earlier this year at 90, Peggy Seeger has sung with effervescence, power, and a feminist edge. Wed, 05 Nov 2025 22:35:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/goodall-25.php 'Famous Last Words: Dr. Jane Goodall' (2025) Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:20:12 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-10-16 Let us praise first-rate collections of first-rate songs but let us skip the twenty-four albums awarded some variation of the E grade. Also: albums vs. songs, Mary J. Blige, Geese, and chansons. Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:06:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-10.php Nearly half an hour of covers that qualify as beautiful, a remarkably warm and rich love album, a perky bad-ass faces down this grim moment, and amorous vulnerability intensified by a croak. Thu, 09 Oct 2025 22:18:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/joplin-25.php Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:03:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-09-17 African American science fiction, Eno before and after rocking, where (or who) in the world is Stephen Malkmus, first musical loves, variants of the art-rock mindset, and listening without prejudice. Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:18:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-09.php Soul jingles meet ad jingles, "Dumb Luck" rhymes with "IDGAF," three L.A. sisters savor sex and tunes, and the Mahotella Queens shine on their own. Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:59:13 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/jenkins-25.php Sacha Jenkins, 'Sunday Best' (2025) Sun, 07 Sep 2025 01:07:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-08-20 Thoughts on AI, advice to young critic, the Angry Samoans as dinner music, "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" as ASMR, the road to humane politics, and 21 Louis Armstrong albums in no particular order. Thu, 21 Aug 2025 02:31:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-08.php Kentucky road dog goes global/cosmic, no longer pure heroine has erotic adventures, Afro-prop variants are assembled into a congruent groove, and gifted singer-songwriter essays a concept album. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 16:04:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/mekonslb-25.php "The Curse of the Mekons," from "The Village Voice," 1991 Thu, 31 Jul 2025 09:46:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/mekons-25.php The Mekons at the Bowery Ballroom, July 17th, 2025 Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:04:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-07-17 Top three dream gigs, A plus upgrades briefly considered, enjoyable (not remarkable) bluegrass, the joy of doc (Swamp Dogg edition), the joy of disc (compact edition), and the TV party that wasn't. Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:23:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-07.php Quiet music that's anything but insubstantial, Chuck D in conversational-philosophical mode, Chuck & Flav in politically conscious mode, and idiosyncratic protest songs about poverty and sexuality. Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:30:31 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/lennon-25.php A B minus no longer Sat, 05 Jul 2025 13:13:08 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-06-26 Stopping the car for the Beach Boys, choice Leadbelly collections, best of the '80s, Hong Fat and Michael Hurley remembered, and dud vs. neither (Warren Zevon edition). Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:23:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/wilson-25.php A guest post from Tom Smucker, author of "Why the Beach Boys Matter" Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:49:03 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-06.php Speechifying from Springsteen, rockin' on the mechanism from Buck 65, disruptive noise from Lambrini Girls, and words to stay alive for from Ezra Furman. Wed, 11 Jun 2025 20:19:02 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/grateful-25.php "The Grateful Dead in Four Dimensions," from The Village Voice, June 13, 1977 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:53:32 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/graffiti-25.php Ramon Guthrie, "Graffiti" (1959, 72 pages) Thu, 29 May 2025 14:06:10 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-05-21 On guitar: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bones check, the spiritual exhaustion of the Must to Avoid, quality albums never to be heard again, the excellence of the A minus, and Xgau on film. Thu, 22 May 2025 13:45:46 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/gangoffourlb-25.php "We Condemn the Gang of Four (Just Kidding)," from the Village Voice, July 27, 1982 Thu, 01 May 2025 14:10:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/gangoffour-25.php The Gang of Four, Sony Music Hall, April 24th, 2025 Mon, 28 Apr 2025 12:32:13 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-04-16 Essential pre-internet reference works, El Lay vs L.A., more music from the Great White North, de gustibus non disputandum est, roll over Beethoven, and party politics briefly considered. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 21:03:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-04.php Flawlessly executed down-and-out Americana tales, a gentler approach to a veteran speed soukous master, Pepto-Bismol and other troths explored, and hilarious noises that may make your eardrums bleed. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 17:33:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/tinytim-25.php A report from Sly Stone's Madison Square Garden wedding, from "Newsday, June 7, 1974. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:00:30 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/sly-25.php Sly Lives! (AKA The Burden of Black Genius Fri, 28 Mar 2025 22:34:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-03-19 Music of the True North, boxing days, the Bobbsey Twins as vocabulary builders, no soul radio (see also: Mark. 8 Verses 34 to 38), patriotic verb clusters, and remembering David Johansen. Fri, 21 Mar 2025 02:31:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-03.php A centenarian's big band experiment, catchy pop-rock making a big romantic leap, varied songwriting suffused with darkness and detail, and desert guitar in search of justice. Thu, 13 Mar 2025 21:59:49 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/nydolls-25.php "Sensualistic, Polytheistic," from The Village Voice, August 8, 2006 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:34:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/ray-25.php Maruta Lietiņš Ray, "Refugee Girl: A Memoir" (2021, 248 pages) Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:40:33 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-02-19 Louis Armstrong and the Beatles in book form, 'Brat' but it's a lowish A but also still 'Brat,' Emmylou Harris and Wussy grades grubbed, and combating the evil which is going on. Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:53:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-02.php A smart and sexy womans frustrating quest for true love, a polyrhythmic meeting of Peruvian electronica and Congolese guitar, mean jokes and next-level feminism, and gnomic wisecracks postpunk style. Wed, 12 Feb 2025 22:32:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj24.php The 74 best albums of the past year (or so) Wed, 05 Feb 2025 03:46:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans24.php The 74 best albums of the past year (or so) Wed, 05 Feb 2025 03:46:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2025-01-29 The Consumer Guide in the streaming era, the A Lists (the missing years), softening on Madonna and Taylor (but in different ways), spending time (see: fleeting) relistening to Randy Newman. Wed, 29 Jan 2025 22:48:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/newman2-25.php "Irony, Compassion and Randy Newman," from Newsday, October 29, 1972 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:16:29 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/tpm-25.php Knowledge is power. Tue, 21 Jan 2025 21:14:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/rock/newman-78.php Randy Newman Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:52:56 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/newman-25.php Robert Hilburn, A Few Words in Defense of Our Country: The Biography of Randy Newman (2024, 544 pp.) Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:29:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2025-01.php A post-riot-grrrl trio that hasn't given up on love; grooves that break into tunes, sound effects, or both; alt-rappers with sonic treats; and not-one-but-three releases from our heroes in Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:14:07 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/carter-25.php From The Village Voice, Jan. 31, 1977: "Whose People Were at the People's Inaugural?" Thu, 09 Jan 2025 21:11:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-12-26 Moral compasses and the election, coming soon to Bluesky, morning TV avoided, the second sex comes first, Randy Newman upgrades, and song by song by Christgau. Sun, 29 Dec 2024 22:10:31 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/wussy-24.php A guest post from RJ Smith on Wussy's November 15th show at the Woodward Theater in Cincinnati. Sat, 23 Nov 2024 02:46:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-11-20 Thoughts on Kamala and the election, Elton and listening time, Young Thug and trap, bohemia (what dat?) Billy Bragg and Woody Guthrie, and genius (again: what dat?). Wed, 20 Nov 2024 02:03:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-11.php Guitar rock verging on the philosophical, boom-bap from an alt-rapper here to stay like that shit in your panties, a titanic work of art from 1956, & East African dance records from a DJ on a mission. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 02:54:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/jordan-24.php Formally, this jump-blues pioneer presaged rock and roll, though he was decades older than Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, or Little Richard. Tue, 29 Oct 2024 02:11:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-10-16 At the Apollo, in the library, ABBA reconsidered (briefly), the end considered (also briefly, and not the one involving the Doors), thoughts on music writing, and a reading list. Mon, 21 Oct 2024 22:46:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-10.php Guitar rock verging on the philosophical, boom-bap from an alt-rapper here to stay like that shit in your panties, a titanic work of art from 1956, & East African dance records from a DJ on a mission. Thu, 10 Oct 2024 20:05:23 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/doyle-24.php Roddy Doyle, "The Women Behind the Door" (2024, 262 pp.) Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:44:32 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-09-18 Consumer Guide music discovery, some subjects for further research, dancing to "Africa Dances," John and Faith Hubley, the hottest young male newcomer in the biz, and Geoffrey Stokes remembered. Thu, 19 Sep 2024 20:42:15 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-09.php Louis Armstrong lively ups London in '68, the Unholy Modal Rounders do the same to NYC in '77, Chris Smither sings into the void, and Morgan Wade sings with sweetness about the ones that got away. Thu, 12 Sep 2024 22:23:20 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/old97s-24.php "You May Think It's Stupid, Rhett Miller Thinks It's Art," The Village Voice, Mar. 27, 2001 Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:57:09 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-08-21 Howard Keel-Tommy James-Springsteen connection explained, the Jazz King of Corona (and everywhere else), Louis Jordan, Dylan gone electric-acoustic-whatever, Wes Goodwin remembered, Honky Tonkin'. Sat, 24 Aug 2024 20:21:36 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-08.php The greatest artist of the 20th century as pop interpreter, an r&b pro gone bluegrass, 13 songs about romantic bliss gone bad, and a thrill seeking soprano with captivating tunes and runaway grooves. Wed, 14 Aug 2024 22:26:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/pereubu-24.php Pere Ubu Lives in This Shit! The Village Voice, May 7, 1979 Mon, 05 Aug 2024 02:53:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-07-17 Getting Kinks-y, The Insect Trust, Alejo Carpentier, unexplored quiddities, underrateds & one-offs, and jazz for dinner. Wed, 17 Jul 2024 20:21:36 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/moed-24.php C.O. Moed, "It Was Her New York: True Stories & Snapshots" (2024, 184 pp.) Fri, 26 Jul 2024 02:45:55 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-07.php Jazz that swings from tunefulness to abstraction, a Nashville songbird with a can of gas and a match, Seattle self-described bit players with 13 songs in 27 minutes, & blues in search of lasting love. Fri, 12 Jul 2024 12:04:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/toronto-24.php From "The Show" Thu, 04 Jul 2024 16:46:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-06-26 Keeping (or losing) a taste for the new stuff, the (non) Battle at Artists Space, the album artistry of Otis Redding, forerunners vs. forefathers, existential anxiety, and the appalling Gaza war. Thu, 27 Jun 2024 22:00:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/deusner-24.php Stephen Deusner, "Where the Devil Don't Stay: Traveling the South with the Drive-By Truckers" (2021, 320 pp.) Wed, 19 Jun 2024 16:23:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-06.php An exploration of erotic and existential turmoil, five albums (across nine years) from Jon Langford, and two more from an East African supergroup. Plus: Afropop, amapiano, blues, Isbell, and Taylor. Wed, 12 Jun 2024 16:36:07 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/driveby-24.php "The Righteous Path," Barnes & Noble Review, March 24, 2011 Sat, 01 Jun 2024 18:49:30 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.comxgausez.php?d=2024-05-22 'Honey' with some schlock, the b-word, namesake kaffe, dear old Dartmouth, Vampire vibes, and 1968 albums (slight return). Wed, 22 May 2024 17:48:33 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-05.php Three (count 'em, three) albums from a universalist, one from a Welsh beatmaker blessed with a silver tongue, the latest from our greatest female pop singer, and jazz's greatest tenor player at 28. Thu, 16 May 2024 20:47:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/marsh-24.php James Marsh, The "Theory of Everything" (2014); Todd Haynes, "Dark Water" (2019) Mon, 13 May 2024 11:52:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/clinton-24.php From 1997, The Goduncle Wed, 01 May 2024 20:45:32 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-04-17 Pick hits: Margret Drabble and Marshall Berman. Must to avoid: Smashing Pumpkins at Lollapalooza '94. Plus: Radio time (or lack thereof), Dave Marsh (disco mix), and old & new instant excitements. Wed, 17 Apr 2024 02:03:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-04.php A blatant genius given to unassuming meditations; one of rap's most eloquent; a bootleg (gone legit) documenting a definitive band becoming such; and musical intelligence vs. the world falling apart. Mon, 15 Apr 2024 13:24:29 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-03-27 Hip-hop lyricism, the year of the woman circa 2018, very best vs. all-time greatest, Underoath vs. depression, in praise of Kim Stanley Robinson and Swedish socialism, remembering David Schweitzer. Wed, 27 Mar 2024 21:54:50 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-03.php Intelligence that values the lubricious, blues-soaked fun and politics, engaged yet also casual flow that's too smart for cute, and songs situated in day-to-day dilemmas and disappointments. Thu, 21 Mar 2024 21:38:50 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/legacy-24.php A paper from the recent PopCon at the USC Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:39:27 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/ono-24.php Three live shows from 2012 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 20:43:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-02-22 Some thoughts on Eminem, trying (and failing) to get into Neutral Milk Hotel, Chicago blues (Chess and otherwise), A+ best-of albums, pretty good live Stones, and the affordability of CDs. Thu, 22 Feb 2024 19:41:43 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-02.php Eternal bebop, aesthetic force with brains, country soul from Newark, and hip-hop dreams with humanistic impulses. Plus: robot limbs, the aging alt-rock bohemia, hypnotic guitar minimalism, and more. Wed, 14 Feb 2024 17:15:20 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans23.php The 83 best albums of the last year (or so) Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:20:46 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj23.php The 83 best albums of the last year (or so) Mon, 05 Feb 2024 20:19:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/stones-24.php The Rolling Stones, "Hackney Diamonds" (Geffen) Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:57:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2024-01-17 Radiohead and the pitfalls of prog, an executive decision, the remarkable Ms. R, cannibalizing great songs, the uncollected Consumer Guide, and the varieties of musical experience. Thu, 18 Jan 2024 17:09:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2024-01.php Brisk takedowns of Tucker Carlson and Jeff Bezos alongside shoplifting advice; hip-hop with undaunted flow and hip-hop with adult anxieties; and indomitable riffing courtesy of Detroit punks. Thu, 11 Jan 2024 19:27:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/roche-24.php Dave Roche, "On Subbing: The First Four Years" (2004, 128 pp.) Fri, 05 Jan 2024 22:19:51 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-12-20 An implausible hypothetical briefly considered; Taylor's rerecordings, same; PJ Harvey and the two tests; tips welcome; a jazz starter kit for toddlers; CDs welcome. Wed, 20 Dec 2023 16:04:11 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-12.php Dolly ranges from good fun to genius, Buck 65 ranges through the alphabet, the Feelies range through the Velvet Underground, and the Human Hearts range through simple yet well-honed melodies. Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:06:30 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/steelydan95-23.php "Not Alone With Steely Dan," The Village Voice, November 15, 1995 Wed, 06 Dec 2023 22:29:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/steelydanlb-23.php "Steely Dan's Boogie Has Its Own Boom," Newsday, April 14, 1974 Wed, 29 Nov 2023 18:35:29 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/steelydan-23.php Alex Pappademas and Joan LeMay, "Quantum Criminals: Ramblers, Wild Gamblers, and Other Sole Survivors From the Songs of Steely Dan" (2023, 268 pp.) Wed, 22 Nov 2023 19:00:26 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-11-15 Therapy, the Vandellas vs. the Supremes vs. the Marvelettes, Wilco (The Reviews), the listening method, the Kennedys then and now, and Pazz & Jop motivations. Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:44:09 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-11.php Sixteen unfaltering songs from a Navy vet; painful honesty from Indonesia; electronic textures and beats with occasional choruses; and songs of global warming and the rich getting richer. Wed, 08 Nov 2023 22:50:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/class-23.php A presentation from the 2011 EMP Pop Conference Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:13:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/farewell-23.php Music to accompany two days of mourning and celebration Tue, 07 Nov 2023 17:49:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-10-18 Sinead's voice, Chinese novels, Placebo and the ecstasy of influence, the squall of Johnny Thunders, radio days, Spofity's Roganomics. Wed, 18 Oct 2023 21:35:10 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-10.php Two country singers searching for connection in different ways, democratic-socialist folk-rock agitprop grab bag, and a singer/songwriter/bandleader relearning and reclaiming her undeniable gifts. Wed, 11 Oct 2023 21:09:01 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-09-27 Unhappy news, the one-man campaign to render "Mr. Lee" a recognized classic, working with the State Department, McCartney (not Paulie), genius and generations, whining from down under. Wed, 27 Sep 2023 20:30:45 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/harvey-23.php Joy Harvey, 1943-2023 Thu, 21 Sep 2023 15:46:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-09.php Lovequests, sobriety songs, combustible guitar effects, and the last will and testament of 91-year-old believer, mother, artist, over, sister, and grandmother. Wed, 13 Sep 2023 21:11:35 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-08-23 Episode 1 million of "Why Haven't You Reviewed . . .," Prince x Dickens, the depressive A list, digging the Band (or not), Sun Ra and a 1969 dispatch from Slug's, and music for rethinking eternity. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 02:10:02 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/stampfel-23.php A story of a voice lost and found Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:54:30 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-08.php Unabashed eroticism, commonplace maturity, baseballese guitar rock, and three songs from four decades ago that will kick your ass. Thu, 10 Aug 2023 17:18:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/auriculum7.php Wed, 02 Aug 2023 23:05:27 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/cheetah-23.php On the vagaries of the Wikipedia entry for "Cheetah" magazine, and an excerpt of a piece from the February, 1968 issue. Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:43:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-07-19 Is there a definitive Hag compilation? What about the Rocketman? Also: jazz, comics, '70s decadence (toe fetish not included), and a few words in defense of democracy. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 23:09:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-07.php Sweet melodies buoying up existential weight, trying Jesus when other men let you down, sad and brilliant tales of failed relationships, and jazz with a pop-friendly sense of identity and purpose. Thu, 13 Jul 2023 01:27:55 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/anderson3-23.php From the Village Voice music section, reviews of Joan Jett, Slowdive, and the Ramones Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:05:55 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/auriculum6.php Rob Sheffield and the First Quartetly Pazz and Jop Report Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:44:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/anderson-23.php Steve Anderson, "As the Day May Determine" (2021, 280 pp.) Wed, 28 Jun 2023 14:50:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-06-21 Artistic vitality and momentousness considered, the blind pull, metallic K.O. without arrogance, journalistic angels, and some thoughts about the Beatles. Wed, 21 Jun 2023 21:42:54 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-06.php Lovestruck avowals, stealth-ethical jokers, Black pop standards, and lovers smart enough to understand how much worse it could be. Wed, 14 Jun 2023 18:26:54 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/johansenbl-23.php "Kid Patriarch Makes His Move," The Village Voice, June 12, 1978 Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:12:23 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-05-24 The King of the Gentle Blues Singers, uncountable grooves and subgrooves, brevity, a fun job (as jobs go), octogenarians who keep on truckin', and Carola's favorite science-fiction novels. Wed, 24 May 2023 19:57:27 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/capaldi-23.php Lewis Capaldi, "Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent" (Capitol)"); Wed, 17 May 2023 19:18:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-05.php Melodies that mitigate pain and navigate stumbling relationships, a spiritual force on tour, 25 songs or rants about (among other things) street life, racism, automobile fetishism, and ice cream. Wed, 10 May 2023 16:56:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/johansen-23.php "Personality Crisis: One Night Only," directed by Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi Wed, 03 May 2023 14:42:15 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-04-19 To B+ or not to B+, all-time Yankees, pondering the limitations of AI singer-songwriting, reelin' in the Minutemen, God and Clapton in Pasadena, and 15 cultural fundaments (Backstreet Boys included). Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:57:27 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-04.php Honed and loud pronouncements from a 67 year old, indelible copyrights from a 77 year old, some 58-year-old saxophone wisdom, and uniquely individualistic hip-hop from two born-in-the-'80s rappers. Wed, 12 Apr 2023 15:52:36 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/marcel-23.php The amazing adventures (and tragic elements) of being tiny in a human-size world Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:54:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-03.php From the UK, a trustworthy superstar. From Canada, shoegazing power-pop. From Brazzaville, rhythms that rock as much as they roll. And from an ex-fundamentalist, courage, idealism, and self-sacrifice. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:53:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/cgrevue-23.php From New Orleans to Kharkiv, with stops in between for the invention of rock & roll, the greatest ballad singer this side of Frank Sinatra, Africa's biggest pop star, and, of course, fried ice cream. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 15:35:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-03-15 Laughter in review, Afrobeats eartime and Afropop explorations, an audio book recommendation, the artistic gas crisis, and infirmity keeps creeping. Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:42:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/stead-23.php Three pieces, two writers, one novelist Thu, 02 Mar 2023 13:20:36 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/smith-23.php From the 2015 EMP Pop Conference in Seattle Thu, 23 Feb 2023 22:41:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-02-15 Rock and roll's early days, the limits of the megastar pop life, Beyoncé and the road to an A plus, S - Y = ?, "Beth Ann and Macrobioticism," books that read like butter (and some that don't). Wed, 15 Feb 2023 22:09:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-02.php High IQ catchiness from Ireland, death defying songs from Australia, persuasive and heartbreaking outtakes from New York City, and some truth and uplift from London. Fri, 10 Feb 2023 01:30:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/marcus-23.php Fri, 03 Feb 2023 15:16:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/television-23.php From "The Village Voice," June 19, 1978 Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:40:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/verlaine-23.php On the glory of "Marquee Moon," from "Going Into the City" Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:40:10 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans22.php The 86 (not 84) best albums of the last year (or so) Tue, 31 Jan 2023 16:24:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj22.php The 86 (not 84) best albums of the last year (or so) Tue, 31 Jan 2023 15:08:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2023-01-18 The limits of lists, the power of craft and wisdom over time, the vocal brilliance of Charley Pride, the educational playfulness of Sophie, '2666' remains on the shelf, and middle ground for socialism. Fri, 20 Jan 2023 21:21:07 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2023-01.php Hip-hop from the desert island our planet has become, chamber folk concerning another island (Haiti), polyrhythms that rock, and 18:36 of irresistibly whispery soprano. Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:29:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/taylor-23.php Matt Rogers: "Goodnight Boogie: A Tale of Guns, Wolves and the Blues of Hound Dog Taylor" (2022, 241 pp.) Mon, 09 Jan 2023 01:09:12 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/snider.php On Todd Snider's third (official) live album, "Return of the Storyteller" Tue, 03 Jan 2023 01:55:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-12-21 Music without distraction, the Kanye question, liking what you like, murder most foul, being a long-haired Clash fan, and Courtship 101. Wed, 21 Dec 2022 19:23:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-12.php Joining a polysyllabist in battling the algorithms: a midwestern folkie, Congolese avant-gardists, quiet songs with roots in Alabama and Texas, gorgeous textures that span Asia and Africa, and more. Thu, 15 Dec 2022 15:09:10 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/lewis-22.php A lecture from NYU in 2016 Wed, 30 Nov 2022 22:05:02 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/smith-22.php RJ Smith, Chuck Berry: An American Life (2022, 415 pp.) Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:52:32 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-11-16 À la recherche du temps perdu ('50s edition), worthwhile Canadians, Taylor v. Joni, Sarah Palin v. Jeffrey Lewis, and the electric kool-aid Dock Ellis revelation Fri, 18 Nov 2022 01:05:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-11.php From Nova Scotia, a proud alum of Altered State University; from Montreal, guitar & sour fiddle; from Nashville, a concept album with its pants down; and from the road, the return of the Storyteller. Thu, 10 Nov 2022 20:31:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/luen-22.php A review of catastrophic and existential risks from Semipop Life. Wed, 02 Nov 2022 21:18:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/colson-22.php Colson Whitehead, "Harlem Shuffle" (2021, 336 pp.) Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:10:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-10-19 On identifying left Democrat but not audiophile, rooting for Harry Styles, missing Gram Parsons, avoiding the b-word, and loving Canada (but not the Tragically Hip) Wed, 19 Oct 2022 15:35:12 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-10.php A Ukrainian revolutionary, an always-say-die grouch, a profusion of differently complicated sex lives, and a nuanced trifecta-of-sorts from the world's hottest under-30 pop star. Thu, 13 Oct 2022 21:39:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cdrev/old97s-06.php Liner notes (2006, Rhino) Sat, 08 Oct 2022 19:54:27 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/springheeljack-22.php From "The Village Voice," Oct. 22, 1996: "Prog Jungle" Sat, 08 Oct 2022 16:52:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/judge-22.php On Aaron Judge's putsuit of a home-run record. Wed, 28 Sep 2022 22:07:20 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-09-21 Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:55:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-09.php Guitars for those who believe in hope and those that don't, the finest album of one of hip-hop's most prolific careers, and rock-as-electrodance about struggle not devoid of satisfaction. Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:54:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/singles-22.php Remarks from a 2013 New Music Seminar panel Fri, 02 Sep 2022 01:08:42 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-08-24 The greatest jazz composer as a player, considering Zappa and 'Pet Sounds,' the internet's capacity for evil, Christian nationalists' capacity for same, and thoughts not from the killing floor. Thu, 25 Aug 2022 16:12:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-08.php Women having fun (with and without Basquiat-buying power), the best-sounding battle rap you're likely to hear this year, adulthood alt-rock narratives, and pop-rock devoted to the arts. Thu, 18 Aug 2022 21:45:47 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/midler-22.php From The Village Voice, September, 1993: Bette Milder Sings . . . Everything Sat, 06 Aug 2022 17:26:32 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/todd-22.php "Our Great National Parks," Sophie Todd (series producer), Barack Obama (executive producer, narrator) Sun, 31 Jul 2022 01:32:21 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-07-20 Francophone bias, loving the '90s without loving grunge, quoting a misogynist without endorsing a misogynist, B sides, don't stop can't stop won't stop, and a few words from the estimable C.D. Thu, 21 Jul 2022 17:14:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-07.php Songs from New York, Pretoria, Berlin, and São Paulo, as delivered by performers ranging in age from 20 to 95. Plus: guitar rock from Nashville and Cambridge, drones from North Jersey, and more. Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:14:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/clinton-22.php In an ever more hideous political moment capped for the nonce by a hideous Supreme Court decision that won't be the last I thought it mete to revive my most thoughtful brief for electoral politics in a Hillary Clinton-praising Big Lookback from 2016. Wed, 29 Jun 2022 15:35:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/selo-22.php Selo i Ludy: Live And Unconquered Mon, 27 Jun 2022 01:29:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-06-15 Standing by some old judgments; grade-grubbing Nas, Al Green, and A Tribe Called Quest; appreciating Billy Joel's attention to prose; and an encomium to the estimable C.D. Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:01:03 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-06.php Songlets from Africa, songs from Brooklyn, thoughts on fame and sudden wealth from a Pulitzer winner, and unique music to match unique rhymes. Fri, 10 Jun 2022 14:33:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/sheffield-22.php From the ARTicles blog of the National Arts Journalism Program, a Sept. 20, 2010 review of Rob Sheffield's "Talking to Girls About Duran Duran." Wed, 01 Jun 2022 21:57:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/davids-22.php C.A. Davids, "How to Be a Revolutionary" (2021, 296 pp.) Wed, 25 May 2022 15:57:51 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-05-18 Spreading out from NYC, Pulitzer to pop: drop dead, reviews not on the road to ruin, impressed by David Crosby (sorta), abundance and multiplicity vs. marginal differentiation, and wedding playlists. Thu, 19 May 2022 02:00:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-05.php Sexual autonomy & mortality in a country style, almost abstract polygrooves in a South African style, and indie-femme pop sopranos. Plus: soul heroines, leftist shitfits, & more. Wed, 11 May 2022 21:47:45 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/rnr-22.php Thoughts on John and Yoko, the MC5, People's Park and the difference between changes in style and structure, from 'The Village Voice,' July 3, 1969. Wed, 04 May 2022 21:25:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.comhttps://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/guest-post-greil-marcus On music and politics, the musicality of writing, and a Village Voice column from 1969. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.comhttps://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/guest-post-rob-sheffield A Consumer's Guide to the Consumer Guide Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/honkytonk-22.php A 41-song playlist to mark 80 years. Tue, 19 Apr 2022 20:32:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-04.php The best band in Kharkiv is the best band in a Consumer Guide that includes the best punk band in Melbourne, the strangest James Brown album on earth, an album I'd never heard pre-Grammys, and many old white guys keeping on in today's And It Don't Stop. Thu, 14 Apr 2022 01:37:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.comhttps://robertchristgau.substack.com/p/guest-post-tim-quirk Some thoughts on writing about music from someone who has both made art and written criticism of other people's art. Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:00:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/wonder-22.php From 1999, written for the program to the Kennedy Center Honors induction Wed, 30 Mar 2022 21:17:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bkrev/dilla-22.php The biography "Dilla Time" by Dan Charnas illuminates the hip-hop legend's seismic rhythmic innovations with deep and vivid reporting Fri, 25 Mar 2022 19:21:31 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/rasmussen-22.php Jonas Poher Rasmussen (director), "Flee" (2021) Fri, 25 Mar 2022 18:52:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-03-16 On not grading on a curve, not loving Nina Simone, not pledging unqualified fealty to Bruce Springsteen, & not finding fun in fascism, Kid Rock, or Kanye West. Plus: the story of Nirvana's "Bluebaby." Fri, 18 Mar 2022 14:42:51 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-03.php Haunting delicacy that clatters, queer noise-pop that's cleansing, a Malian feminist produced by an ex-punk, & a Romani horn band covering Bill Withers. Plus: songs from Trinidad, Lagos, & John Prine. Wed, 09 Mar 2022 20:47:59 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/maidan-22.php Evgeny Afineevsky, "Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom" (115 minutes, 2015); Sergey Loznitsa, "Maïdan" (130 minutes, 2014); Kalani Pickhart, "I Will Die in a Foreign Land" (300 pp., 2021) Mon, 07 Mar 2022 12:14:21 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/young-23.php >From 1997, "Wasted on the Young," a survey of a vast catalogue that has only grown since then. Wed, 02 Mar 2022 15:33:32 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/ramones-16.php Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:49:33 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/kaye-22.php Lenny Kaye: "Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock and Roll" (496 pp., 2022) Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:48:31 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-02-16 Old men's poems, some two dozen Dead shows (and not counting), Radiohead and Mingus and classical music, and grading the late-'60s Stones. Wed, 16 Feb 2022 17:44:55 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-02.php Sex-not-love songs from women born 98 years apart, pansexual classroom autobiography, and fictional love & hip-hop drama. Plus: Nas's heavy head, bare-boned rock, & heroines of blues, gospel and rock. Wed, 09 Feb 2022 19:03:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/bkrev/stead-83.php by Carola Dibbell Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:44:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/misc/coming-76.php by Carola Dibbell Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:35:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/dakar-22.php From MSN Music in 2010, a week in the capital of African pop Tue, 01 Feb 2022 16:49:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans21.php The list. Tue, 01 Feb 2022 15:58:57 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj21.php The introductory essay. Mon, 31 Jan 2022 19:06:59 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/music/bangs-15.php by Carola Dibbell: Revisiting Lester Bangs Sat, 29 Jan 2022 16:07:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/music/tucker-94.php by Carola Dibbell Mon, 24 Jan 2022 15:13:57 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/misc/moreau-76.php by Carola Dibbell Mon, 24 Jan 2022 02:21:42 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2022-01-19 Notes on Ornette Coleman at Carnegie Hall, hope for Elvis Costello fans, no hope for Silver Surfer fans, and Dave Hickey's Greatest Hits. Sun, 23 Jan 2022 21:58:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2022-01.php A 29 year old starts again, an 80 year old comes alive, and a "Marque Moon" cover from two guys separated by 37 years. Plus songs from Georgia, Timbuktu, Congo, Nashville, and the Velvet Underground. Sat, 15 Jan 2022 11:53:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/chuckd-22.php From the Village Voice, Oct. 22, 1991: Greg Tate and Robert Christgau interview Chuck D Sun, 09 Jan 2022 19:29:51 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/hummingbirds-21.php Paul Reddish (writer-director); David Attenborough (narrator), "Hummingbirds: Jewelled Messengers" (2012) Thu, 30 Dec 2021 15:24:15 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/misc/tate-bkf.php Greg Tate (1957-2021) Wed, 15 Dec 2021 21:39:47 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-12-15 A Wikipedia shout out, the alt-right assault on election workers and school-board members, desert-island Miles, fondness for ABBA revealed, the serial comma defended, and a brief history of rhyme Wed, 15 Dec 2021 21:24:43 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/misc/tate-21.php A note for NPR Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:00:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-12.php Protest music then & now, decency with slightly sour pitch, politics not charity, hip-hop that's flying and grounded, Xmas song greatness, pandemic anomie, and Greg Tate's Arkestra goes for Miles Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:03:27 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/roches-21.php From the Feb. 20, 1978, "Village Voice": Carola Dibbell on the Roches live at Kenny's Castaways Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:05:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/sanneh-21.php Kelefa Sanneh, "Major Labels" (496 pp., 2021) Sat, 27 Nov 2021 14:27:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-11-17 The UC Davis writers' enclave, baseball movies worth a swing, respecting the Dead, Virgil Thompson and Harold Bloom vs. the hoi polloi, the plot against democracy, and underestimating evil Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:52:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-11.php Songs about God, scrumptious pussy, climate change, pool hopping your way to love, living paycheck to paycheck, and buying this and that but wanting flowers from outer space. Fri, 12 Nov 2021 02:20:15 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/clover-21.php Joshua Clover, "Roadrunner" (119 pp., 2021) Sat, 06 Nov 2021 14:19:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/stones-21.php From "Blender," a review of the Stones at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut August 26, 2005 Wed, 27 Oct 2021 18:06:29 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-10-20 Once more unto the mongering, the Stones sans Charlie, baseball avec sabermetrics, grading the second Velvets albums, appropriation vs. appreciation, Billie Eilish vs. Al Green Thu, 21 Oct 2021 02:21:47 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-10.php Songwriters from Austin, Chattanooga, and Nashville. Rappers from London by way of Nigeria and Belgium by way of the Congo. Also: a worldly sophisticate, a genuine adult, and a Wolf who howls. Thu, 14 Oct 2021 12:33:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/yankees-21.php As a topsy-turvy, streaky season draws to a close (or does it?) some thoughts on this year's Yankees and the Yankees of 47 years ago Tue, 05 Oct 2021 16:58:59 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/robinson-21.php Kim Stanley Robinson, "The Ministry for the Future" (2020, 563 pp.): Kim Stanley Robinson deploys low-action science fiction and high-finance capitalist suasion in two phenomenally cerebral yet heartfelt attempts to pit prose against human extinction. Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:36:50 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/songs-21.php Ballots for Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs poll and some thoughts on precious dollops of pleasure Tue, 28 Sep 2021 18:04:33 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-09-22 The rock-critic economy, rumba reading, not sucking in your 70s, Van the Prick, and the meaning of meaning-mongering. Tue, 28 Sep 2021 18:00:36 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/ghost-21.php The struggle to make sense of how things felt--and sounded--0 years ago Sat, 18 Sep 2021 01:45:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-09.php A decade worth of New Jersey indie rock, Tune-Yards' very best, erotic engagement and ennui from the '20s (the 1920s, that is), and Lucy Dacus's verbally and musically detailed religious apostasy. Wed, 08 Sep 2021 18:04:07 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/records-21.php The Big Lookback: A 1971 piece on singles from Tommy James, Jean Knight and Freda Payne, the joys of AM radio and the dark forces of shlock-rock. Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:02:11 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/attica-21.php Red-diaper baby gets the Attica documentary she deserves. Wed, 25 Aug 2021 14:47:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-08-18 Pleasure without guilt, inspirational verses, the generosity of Sonny Rollins and David Bowie (et. al.), bridging the language gap (or not), and the selling of bridges and other products of capitalism Sun, 22 Aug 2021 18:43:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-08.php Discontented candor, miraculous West Indian guitar, political hip-hop with aesthetic vortex, and punk-sparked roots. Plus: Ghanaian Afrofunk, a happy armed robber, and rhythm as a unit of meaning. Thu, 12 Aug 2021 18:32:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/phair-21.php Liz Phair: "Horror Stories" (258 pp., 2019); Marc Ribot: "Unstrung: Rants and Stories of a Noise Guitarist" (216 pp., 2021); Jim Flannigan: "Don the Burp and Other Stories" (42 pp., 1980) Wed, 04 Aug 2021 12:36:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-07-28 Generalizations too vast to swear by, instrumentals worth hearing, the algorithm vs. the people, and Frank Zappa vs. George Clinton. Thu, 29 Jul 2021 17:06:15 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/misc/quine-psf.php Tribute note for Perfect Sound Forever, 2004. Fri, 23 Jul 2021 21:40:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/markie-21.php In 1991, Biz sampled Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)" and changed hip-hop--though not in ways anyone intended Tue, 20 Jul 2021 15:49:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-07.php Underwear-clad quarantine broadcasts, bouncy Sleater-Kinney, mood music for a time of perpetual disquiet, and Cobain variations. Plus: strong women on love, cheerleaders and the men who rule the world Thu, 15 Jul 2021 19:38:28 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/rollingstones-21.php In the 43 years since "Some Girls," "Dirty Work" is the best album the Stones came up with. No, fuck you. Wed, 30 Jun 2021 19:09:35 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/guyton-21.php Amanda Petrusich, "Mickey Guyton Takes On the Overwhelming Whiteness of Country Music" (2021, 15 pp.); Geoff Mann, "Why Does Country Music Sound White?: Race and the Voice of Nostalgia" (2008, 28 pp.) Wed, 23 Jun 2021 15:09:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-06-16 Lousy (or not) Stones albums, world champion Beatles albums, some musical geniuses, some upbeat albums, and whither rock & roll? Plus: the story of 1974's Consumer Guide to America's Yogurts. Thu, 17 Jun 2021 13:01:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-06.php Seeing the light with Loretta Lynn, driving with Olivia Rodrigo, mourning cats with Dry Cleaning, and wrapping your troubles in Lou Reed's dreams. Plus: sounds from Ghana, Japan, Norway, and Chicago Wed, 09 Jun 2021 18:05:38 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/joyofcooking-21.php The 50th anniversary of Joy of Cooking's first-of-its-kind first album Thu, 03 Jun 2021 01:57:33 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/weisbard-21.php Eric Weisbard, "Songbooks: The Literature of American Popular Music" (2021, 530 pp) Sun, 30 May 2021 16:31:11 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-05-19 Some thoughts on dolts (or not), the Smart Monkee, rock bios, the greatest albums of the '90s (not ranked) and the best novels of the 21st century (ranked). Plus: In every dream life a headache. Fri, 21 May 2021 15:12:38 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-05.php The gospel from an Atlanta rap collective, hummable hooks from LDR, free flowing zingers from a well-read alt rhymer, and powerhouse vocals from the Sahara via the Hudson Valley. Sat, 15 May 2021 17:45:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/nelson-21.php In the inaugural edition of The Big Lookback: A lecture from the 2019 Museum of Pop Culture Conerence, which was themed around music, death, and afterlife. Fri, 07 May 2021 14:57:55 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/stampfel-21.php Peter Stampfel's 20th Century in 100 Songs Fri, 30 Apr 2021 14:46:43 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-04-14 Taste vs. judgment, the (somewhat) enduring appeal of Leon Thomas, the diminishing appeal of Green Day, reading about if not listening to Joanna Newsom, and the hymnals of Judee Sill and Todd Snider. Thu, 15 Apr 2021 18:41:09 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-04.php Dispatches from the inferno as seen from Melbourne, the Twin Cities, Detroit, NYC and Prague. Plus the White Stripes ring the bell, Neil Young empties the rust bucket, and '60s blues wrecks. Fri, 09 Apr 2021 19:36:35 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/sublette-21.php Ned and Constance Sublette, "The American Slave Coast" (2016, 754 pp) Wed, 24 Mar 2021 16:13:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-03-17 Groove with a side order of vocal emotion, soul with a (small) side order of jazz organ, Queen with less kitsch and more camp, and parody with honor. Plus: two movies, one a must a see. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 16:36:23 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/auriculum5.php Under discussion: the big fun work (and anxiety) of assembling top 50 albums ballots for the "Rolling Stone 500," why "What's Going On" didn't make the cut, and why DeBarge did. Wed, 17 Mar 2021 14:12:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-03.php Rhyme sprees from a revolutionary, a poet with laundry to do, and a compulsive veteran. Plus staccato guitar outbursts, an Arkansas bard, a South African doyenne, and losers get a glow up Wed, 10 Mar 2021 18:06:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/matos-21.php Review of Michaelangelo Matos, "Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year" (2020, 468 pp). Thu, 25 Feb 2021 13:59:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-02.php Hip-hop from an anxiety-ridden melodicist, an FDNY veteran, and an unpredictable eccentric. Plus bellowing punk protest, durable jangle-pop, solo acoustic road tales, and Gaga Gaga Gaga Sat, 20 Feb 2021 21:14:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/auriculum4.php Sat, 20 Feb 2021 20:34:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/ohok-21.php A reissue of the liner notes to a reissue. Sat, 20 Feb 2021 20:29:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans20.php Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:02:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj20.php Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:37:20 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj18.php Pazz and Jop essay for 2018. Sat, 23 Jan 2021 18:37:57 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2021-01-20 Going underground with movies and the Velvets, saying yes to sampling and no to Sidney Bechet and the War on Drugs, and putting "Brown Sugar" out to pasture. Wed, 20 Jan 2021 16:47:20 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2021-01.php Music from Morocco, Senegal, Kingston (Jamaica and New York), Minneapolis, and Omaha, Nebraska. Plus rhyme as analysis and rhyme as meaning, and Taylor Swift's future Christmas classic. Wed, 13 Jan 2021 13:29:56 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/seely-21.php Jeannie Seely: Sixty-seven years of love lessons Mon, 04 Jan 2021 03:41:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/cockrell-20.php Dale Cockrell, "Everybody's Doin' It: Sex, Music, and Dance in New York 1840-1917" (2019, 270 pp.) Mon, 04 Jan 2021 03:23:09 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez/php?d=2020-12-16 The art of storytelling and album covers. Also: consensus meters, epic curation, and a protest playlist. Thu, 17 Dec 2020 21:04:45 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-12.php Gender defiant hip-hop, environmental hip-hop, and free-form hip-hop. Plus: enraged guitar chanters get philosophical, Christmas songs get sad, and the baddest woman in country music comes alive. Wed, 09 Dec 2020 14:30:29 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/blinken-20.php On the first rock critic Secretary of State Fri, 27 Nov 2020 20:44:48 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-11-18 Some thoughts on family, work, dancing, and the permanent-collection CDs that come out at mealtime. Also: country songs about systematic oppression & screwing with the hegemony of classical aesthetics Wed, 18 Nov 2020 21:25:46 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-11.php Voices of compassion and complexity from Philly, Brooklyn and Nashville. Plus a proudly biracial genius who invented his own jazz language, and Thelonious Monk flexing his muscles in a high school gym Wed, 11 Nov 2020 15:29:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/sante-20.php Luc Sante, "Maybe the People Would Be the Times" (2020, 328 pp.) Wed, 28 Oct 2020 17:37:21 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-10-21 Streamed lectures and streamed music, the jazz apple and the rock orange, the enduring skippability of "Oar," the Lion King vs. the Black Panther, and the power of "WAP." Special guest: Carola Dibbell Mon, 26 Oct 2020 21:38:08 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-10.php Citizens -- of the South, of Africa, of Jamaica, of California, of Strong Island -- telling the world how much their lives matter Sat, 17 Oct 2020 13:47:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/flag-20.php Some thoughts on Jimi Hendrix, the national anthem, and the F-bomb Thu, 01 Oct 2020 14:10:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/lists-20.php Ballots for the third "Rolling Stone" inventory of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time Thu, 24 Sep 2020 20:09:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/miller-20.php Isabel Miller: Patience & Sarah (1969, 184 pp.) Thu, 24 Sep 2020 16:53:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bkrev/crouch-20.php An obituary and appreciation for the late critic. Mon, 21 Sep 2020 20:34:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-09-16 Several 30 seconds of greatness, formalists formally considered, Ray Davies informally considered, list-making explained, hip-hop unexplained, and the "The Harry Smith B-Sides" expurgated Wed, 16 Sep 2020 19:56:15 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/vote-20.php On how to do more than just vote to defeat the "fascist fraudster turned impeached president Donald J. Trump." Mon, 14 Sep 2020 18:34:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-09.php A rapper gone love man asks what's going on. A philosopher-musicologist and a Leicester thirtysomething poke at the class system. Plus songs about goons, gaslighters, random violence and childhood. Wed, 09 Sep 2020 19:40:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/sharlet-20.php Jeff Sharlet: This Brilliant Darkness: A Book of Strangers (2008, 320 pp.) Wed, 02 Sep 2020 20:44:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-08-19 Life with (and without) cats, some thoughts on the back catalog of James Brown (and Sinatra and Nat King Cole), Lady A versus the schlocksters, born again Dylan versus born again Kanye Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:43:44 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-08.php Voices as instruments, Miamians from the trenches, sex & romance from London & LA, and a utopian wish from Stoughton, Mass. Plus: pastoral mysticism, ebullient escapism, and old-school caterwauling. Wed, 12 Aug 2020 16:08:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/baseball-20.php The return of the New York Yankees. Mon, 10 Aug 2020 19:01:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/zoology-20.php The Zoo (Animal Planet series 2017-) Thu, 23 Jul 2020 16:57:14 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-07-15 Grades that hold up (and one that didn't), lyrical determinacy (or not), Kendrick's minuses (and pluses), pleasant enough music, unpleasant mail and the eternal greatness of T.S. Monk's "Bon Bon Vie." Wed, 15 Jul 2020 15:20:18 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-07.php Parades, protests, rhyming philosophical apercus, and $13 beers, plus alt-rock standouts from Spain, Italy, the '90s, and Katie Crutchfield Wed, 08 Jul 2020 22:03:24 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/sublette-20.php Ned Sublette: "The Year Before the Flood" (2009, 452 pp.) Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:39:16 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-06-17 Book picks, David Murray and Prince grades, singing with the brain, the two best albums never reviewed, and you say you want a revolution . . . Fri, 19 Jun 2020 00:39:22 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-06.php From 50 million sold to giving it away for free, from righteous anger to righteous humor, from everything is beautiful to everything sucking--it's a big world out there. Let's hope it stays that way. Wed, 10 Jun 2020 14:41:29 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/misc/young-08.php On the Neil Young documentary film, originally published in Film Comment (July-August 2008). Wed, 27 May 2020 20:03:36 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/robinson-20.php Kim Stanley Robinson: Aurora (2015, 501 pages) Wed, 27 May 2020 19:48:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-05-20 New questions and answers: John Prine's half century of great songs, playlisting for fun and work, 72 words in 24 hours, and what's at stake on November 3rd Fri, 22 May 2020 00:07:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-05.php One man's plague songs for use, many women's plague songs for catharsis, a plague victim's jokes to live by, plus kind words and strange sounds to keep us sane. Wed, 13 May 2020 19:38:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bb/richard-20.php Obituary. Mon, 11 May 2020 16:37:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/dylan-20.php Bob Dylan's "Murder Most Foul" Mon, 27 Apr 2020 18:30:26 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/hooker-20.php Boogie Man: The Adventures of John Lee Hooker in the American Twentieth Century (2000, 505 pp.) Wed, 22 Apr 2020 19:22:07 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/auriculum3.php Part 3 of a podcast with Robert Christgau and Rob Sheffield. Wed, 22 Apr 2020 18:36:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-04-15 New questions and answers: How we're doing, songs celebrating conjugal love, the last time Kanye was brilliant, the long road nowhere from "461 Ocean Boulevard" and lunch with Randy Newman Thu, 16 Apr 2020 16:56:13 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/auriculum2.php Part 2 of a podcast with Robert Christgau and Rob Sheffield. Fri, 10 Apr 2020 21:43:21 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-04.php Two proud country women, two grrls getting started, two songsters hanging in there, a flood of spiritual wisdom from a saxophone saint, and a wittier brand of wisdom from one of COVID-19's fallen. Thu, 09 Apr 2020 01:31:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/dibbell-20.php Carola Dibbell: The Only Ones (354 pp., 2015). Wed, 25 Mar 2020 19:56:06 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/misc/stemcell-19.php Carola Dibbell: Thread on stem cell transplant surgery. Sat, 21 Mar 2020 03:49:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/music/kerpel-03.php Carola Dibbell: On Gaby Kerpel's Carnabailito [2003] Fri, 20 Mar 2020 15:06:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/u/cd/music/b52s-98.php Carola Dibbell: On B-52s [1998] Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:42:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-03-18 New questions and answers: Xgau in China, Judy Garland, John and Yoko's feminism, Brian Wilson, contemporary jazz, and the best album of the 21st century Wed, 18 Mar 2020 18:53:42 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/guvenc-20.php On the "traditional sufi healing music" of Oruç Güvenç Tue, 17 Mar 2020 19:10:23 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-03.php Two herstories and two youngish MCs, avant art and arrant art, Malian "rock" and grrrlpunk "rock," old Duke and new Pet Shop Boys and a lil something else Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:42:13 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/thigh-20.php The 77 Year Old Rock Critic meets his 77-year-old body Tue, 03 Mar 2020 20:57:27 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/cather-20.php Willa Cather: My Antonia (1918, 272 pp.) Wed, 26 Feb 2020 15:44:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/krueger-19.php Rich Krueger Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:58:15 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/hickey-19.php Dave Hickey: Perfect Wave: More Essays on Art and Democracy (2017, 207 pp.) Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:57:54 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/movies-20.php My contribution to an already fading Twitter game Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:57:30 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/daley-20.php James Daley, Ed: Great Speeches by American Women (2008, 179 pp.) Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:57:12 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/clash-19.php The Clash's London Calling at 40 Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:56:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/derogatis-19.php Jim DeRogatis: Soulless: The Case Against R. Kelly (2019, 306 pp.) Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:56:12 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/oberg-19.php Dawn Oberg Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:55:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/cullen-19.php Art Cullen: Storm Lake: A Chronicle of Change, Resilience, and Hope From a Heartland Newspaper (Viking, 317 pp.) Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:55:12 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/lemann-19.php Nicholas Lemann: Redemption: The Last Battle of the Civil War (257 pp., 2006) Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:54:43 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/deanslist-19.php The 25 best albums of the last 10 years Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:53:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2019-09.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:13:30 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2019-10.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:12:09 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2019-11.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:11:30 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2019-12.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:10:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-01.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:09:47 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cg2020-02.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 17:09:01 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/music-19.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:29:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/dontstop/start-19.php Tue, 25 Feb 2020 16:27:46 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-02-19 New questions and answers: Aesthetic morality, Macca and history, hitting a benchmark, "Sweet Home Chicago," working class Wussy and all in the family. Sat, 22 Feb 2020 03:58:59 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans19.php Mon, 27 Jan 2020 01:44:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-01-15 New questions and answers: Parsing posthumous Coltrane, grading Big Star and Lil Wayne, and the uses of critical esotericism and formalism. Wed, 15 Jan 2020 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2020-12-18 New questions and answers: In praise of differenter things, suggestive titles and (relatively) unmediated aesthetic pleasure. Wed, 18 Dec 2019 16:00:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-11-20 New questions and answers: Killer rock bios, the Motorhead-Pixies connection, and the most beautiful song in the English language (as of 1972) Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:08:23 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-10-16 New questions and answers: Sly Stone versus peace-and-love, Steely Dan's chewy perversity, alt-rock also-rans, and the heroines of boygenius. Mon, 28 Oct 2019 20:50:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bkrev/gioia-19.php A review of Ted Gioia's "Music: A Surversive History." Wed, 16 Oct 2019 03:31:35 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-09-17 New questions and answers. Tue, 17 Sep 2019 16:30:13 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bkrev/lemann-19.php Bookforum review of Nicholas Lemann's "Transaction Man: The Rise of the Deal and the Decline of the American Dream" (Farrar Straus and Giroux) Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:14:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-08-27 Tommy and Townshend, Lucinda Williams grows older, celebratory satire, the politics of rock criticism, resisting Trump's war on democracy, and spelling for amateurs in the latest triweekly edition of Xgau Sez. Mon, 26 Aug 2019 17:20:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/hendrix-19.php Jimi Hendrix's 'Star Spangled Banner' is the anthem we need in the age of Trump. Wed, 14 Aug 2019 21:50:08 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/misc/whoknows-17.php Covering music in Drumpfjahr II. Thu, 08 Aug 2019 16:58:46 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-08-06 Grading/writing, grade inflation/rotten tomatoes, right/not so fast, Al Green/Peter Stampfel, Rostam/Ezra, and blogging/retiring in a week-late post-vacation edition of Xgau Sez. Tue, 06 Aug 2019 04:05:59 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg70/notebr.php Addendum to British edition of "Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies" (1981). Fri, 02 Aug 2019 03:46:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-07-09 Shame, Luppi-Parquet Courts, "Heartbreak Hotel," Nick Hornby and rock and roll, live albums, and the quiddities of "retirement" (part one) in this triweekly edition of Xgau Sez. Mon, 08 Jul 2019 21:20:10 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2019-06.php Desaparecidos, Nicki Minaj, Mekons, Kristi Stassinopoulou & Stathis Kalyviotis, Western Centuries, Wreckless Eric, Better Oblivion Community Center, Robert Cray, Chai, Charly Bliss, Tacocat, Abjects, Drinking Boys and Girls Choir, Pup, Lewis Capaldi, Lizzo, Kevin Abstract, Big Thief, Vampire Weekend, Martin Frawley, Fred Thomas, The Yawpers Fri, 28 Jun 2019 14:56:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-06-18 An African top 10, Old Town Road, Sabbaf sux, jazz through the years, lifetime favorites, and love meets use value in the latest triweekly edition of Xgau Sez. Tue, 18 Jun 2019 04:06:32 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2019-05.php Lee "Scratch" Perry, Tanya Tagaq, Sneaks, Bassekou Kouyate, Youssou N'Dour, "Two Niles," Quelle Chris, Epic Beard Man, The Coathangers, Priests, Camp Cope, Ex Hex, Bruce Springsteen, Robert Forster, Chris Butler, Peter Stampfel Fri, 31 May 2019 16:53:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-05-28 Pitchfork revisionism, musical conjugality, Chuck Klosterman, "Woman Is the Nigger of the World," what me "pussy-whipped," and not all that imminent death in the latest triweekly Xgau Sez. Mon, 27 May 2019 19:01:40 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-05-07 Books that make me laugh, university presses, writer on the radio, pleasure listening, fleeting inspiration, and the Grammys in the latest triweekly edition of Xgau Sez. Mon, 06 May 2019 18:45:04 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2019-04.php Billie Eilish, Little Simz, 6lack, Khalid, Kyle, Brockhampton, Fat Tony, Salif Keita, Hama Sankare, Gato Preto, Bombino, Stella Donnelly, Sharon Van Etten, Jenny Lewis, Sir Babygirl, Girls on Grass Fri, 26 Apr 2019 14:38:56 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-bkreps.php Fri, 19 Apr 2019 20:53:50 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-04-16 Whole lotta music through my ears, whither jazz, imaginary bilingualism, lo-fi, clarity not lucidity, and R. Kelly versus James Brown in the latest edition of Xgau Sez. Tue, 16 Apr 2019 02:36:31 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com Expert Witness (March 2019) Fri, 29 Mar 2019 20:08:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-03-26 New questions and answers. Tue, 26 Mar 2019 04:39:11 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-03-05 New questions and answers. Tue, 05 Mar 2019 12:39:48 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2019-02.php Carsie Blanton, The Paranoid Style, The Rails, Kate Vargas, Caroline Rose, The Regrettes, Harriet Tubman, Thiago Nassif, Qais Essar, The Hot 8 Brass Band, RAM, Nordub, Alex Chilton, Big Star, Saba, The Coup, Czarface, G Herbo, 1800 Seconds. Sat, 23 Feb 2019 01:58:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-02-12 Pazz and Jop '18, you can't hear everything, millennial rappers, Todd Snider overrates me, pop vs. capitalism, Xgau vs, Willis in the latest Xgau Sez, which will go tri-weekly after this edition. Tue, 12 Feb 2019 01:43:56 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-01-29 Major-Minor, changing one's mind, changing one's mind again, Robyrt's Robyn, audiology, and a fan letter in the latest edition of Xgau Sez Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:34:29 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2019-01.php The Ex, Idles, Marie Davidson, Public Service Broadcasting, The Delines, Kacey Musgraves, Marianne Faithfull, Brandi Carlile, Mitski, Soccer Mommy, Adrianne Lenker, Nice as Fuck. Fri, 25 Jan 2019 15:54:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-01-15 Desert island discs, Dylan vs. Sinatra, Fiona Apple, Anthony Fantano, star grades, stylistic rules of thumb Tue, 15 Jan 2019 02:15:01 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans18.php Fri, 11 Jan 2019 19:53:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2019-01-01 Respect, grades, 1975, books and EMP lectures, the rise of the right, [REDACTED REDACTED REDACTED] Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:17:01 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-12.php Lupe Fiasco, Meek Mill, Lil Wayne, Vince Staples, Cupcakke, Leikeli47, The Goon Sax, Mad Crush, Flasher, Weekened Friends. Sat, 22 Dec 2018 01:35:58 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2018-12-18 The A list, the Turkey Shoot, the varieties of hooky experience, my homeboy Angel Del Villar, gear such as it is, and a rousing rendition of "I Am a Cuck" in the new edition of Xgau Sez. Mon, 17 Dec 2018 22:26:01 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2018-12-04 Xmas musick, my failure to adore Solange, Blackstar, and Drake. Schoolhouse rock, and the forthcoming "Book Reports" with special notes on Dreiser in this brand new edition of Xgau Sez. Mon, 03 Dec 2018 20:25:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-11.php Sons of Kemet, Doctor Nativo, "Celestial Blues," L7, Joan Jett, The Beths, Lala Lala, Homeboy Sandman & Edan, Open Mike Eagle, Atmosphere, 2Mex, Red Pill, Pistol Annies, Becky Warren, Mandy Barnett, Robbie Fulks/Linda Gail Lewis, Rich Krueger, Paul Simon, The Chandler Travis Three-O Fri, 30 Nov 2018 14:14:08 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xgausez.php?d=2018-11-20 Streaming vs. externality, 12 takes of "You're Gonna Make Me Miss You When You Go," Macca and Elvis C, Afropop primers, Sex Machine revisited, and Phylyppe Win Tue, 20 Nov 2018 03:42:05 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-isitya.php Fri, 16 Nov 2018 15:34:31 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bkrev/christgau-18.php Tue, 06 Nov 2018 17:02:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-10.php Fri, 26 Oct 2018 19:42:35 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-09.php Fri, 28 Sep 2018 01:17:21 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/rs/albums1967-17.php Sat, 15 Sep 2018 04:05:56 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/rock-69.php Sat, 15 Sep 2018 02:15:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/taha-18.php Fri, 14 Sep 2018 19:23:19 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/misc/voice-18.php Tue, 11 Sep 2018 01:08:51 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-08.php Fri, 31 Aug 2018 15:10:00 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/music/franklin-18.php Thu, 16 Aug 2018 19:13:37 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-07.php Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:14:21 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-06.php Sat, 28 Jul 2018 03:42:46 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-05.php Sat, 28 Jul 2018 23:03:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-04.php Sat, 28 Jul 2018 18:00:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-03.php Sat, 28 Jul 2018 20:50:57 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-01.php Sat, 28 Jul 2018 16:03:55 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2018-02.php Sat, 28 Jul 2018 16:00:07 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-fest.php Wed, 18 Jul 2018 01:35:10 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-cg90s.php Wed, 18 Jul 2018 01:17:46 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-cg80s.php Wed, 18 Jul 2018 01:30:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-goitc.php Wed, 18 Jul 2018 02:33:50 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-guaw.php Tue, 17 Jul 2018 19:26:10 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-cg70s.php Thu, 28 Jun 2018 01:29:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/bk-aow.php Fri, 08 Jun 2018 02:15:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg80/comps.php Thu, 07 Jun 2018 20:11:11 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-10.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:33:48 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-02.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 16:09:07 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-09.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 03:28:52 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-08.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 03:16:49 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-06.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 03:11:31 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-05.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 03:02:20 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-04.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 02:58:38 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-01.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 02:38:25 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-03.php Tue, 23 Jan 2018 01:45:41 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/deans17.php Mon, 22 Jan 2018 22:36:39 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/pnj/pj17.php Mon, 22 Jan 2018 21:50:06 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-12.php Mon, 22 Jan 2018 03:29:17 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bn/2016-10.php Mon, 22 Jan 2018 00:00:53 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg80/corrigenda.php Mon, 22 Jan 2018 17:00:47 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bk-cg80/further.php Sun, 21 Jan 2018 21:22:34 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/ew2017-11.php Sun, 21 Jan 2018 16:29:33 +0000 http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/rock/domino-17.php Fri, 27 Oct 2017 14:41:14 +0000