The 50 Best British Artists of All Time

While all eyes are on the throne, we pay tribute to our 50 favorite British artists—a rock 'n roll royal family of sorts.  read more

10 Songs I'm Pretty Sure Are About Masturbation

(Above: Judge Reinhold gets busted by Phoebe Cates in Fast Times at Ridgemont High)  Masturbation. I remember when that was a dirty word. Back in 6th and 7th grade, nobody—and I mean nobody—would cop to doing that shit. Around then, my friend Chris and I had a conversation that went a little something like this:Chris: You know, I read something in this magazine about how like 90 percent of guys in middle school masturbate.Steve: No way, man. I don't believe it.Chris: Well, that's what it said. But you're right, there's no way. [awkward pause] You don't do that, do you?Steve:...  read more

A Power Pop Primer: 10 Gateway Songs to a Lifelong Addiction

You could argue all day about what is and what is not "power pop," a discussion that might ill-advisedly convince you to attempt an exhaustive list of the genre's finest songs. I have neither the time nor the energy to make such a list, but I do enjoy me some of what Wikipedia calls "a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are usually kept to a minimum,...  read more

The Buzzcocks

After twenty five years of punk-rock mayhem, the aging Buzzcocks are still cranking out music that means something...  read more