We here at RIFF try to keep things positive. Music, like all art, should bring joy and understanding to the world. Even when music highlights society’s problems, it inspires us to understand and change the…

Would ya look at that? You’ve made it to the finale. If you are just joining us, please, don’t spoil the big reveal and go back to parts one, two, three and four to catch up before diving…

We’ve almost arrived, everyone! However, if you are just joining us, do not spoil the surprise for yourself and just go back to parts one, two and three to catch up before diving in here. Below you will…

Stop right there, cheaters! If you are just joining me for my countdown of the 50 best albums of 2018, go back to parts one and two to catch up and then dive on in over here. For…

All corners of the Western music world lost someone in 2018. Punk lost Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks; metal lost Vinnie Paul of Pantera, Jill Janus of Huntress, Mikio Fujioka of Babymetal and Fast Eddie…

If you read part one of my list of the top 50 albums of the year, you may already be disappointed by some of my choices, especially with Robyn’s comeback album making a “premature” appearance at no.…

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmas. I’m talking end–of–the–year list season. While I enjoyed RIFF editor Max Heilman’s list, it left  a strong metallic taste in my mouth. So now it’s…

I think this column is morphing into more of a “my favorite Roman stories” list, but what still holds true is that memorable interviews still lead better stories. I tell the RIFF staff, which includes…

We all have something we’re devoted to; something that we’d go great lengths for. For some, that thing is live music and the lengths are literal. From crossing state lines to transatlantic flights, there are…

This is the final in a three-part series. Read how I’m scoring my list and find out about my “special consideration” acts in PART 1 and 10 through 6 in PART 2. Favorite Shows 2017 | Favorite Shows 2016 | Favorite Shows…