Opinion
-
Professor Music: Like ‘This is Spinal Tap,’ this column goes to 11
Distortion is an electronic effect produced by overloading an audio circuit. This simple excess of electrons is responsible for everything from Chuck Berry’s overdriven twang to Jimi Hendrix’s chewy fuzz, Black Sabbath’s bone-shaking crunch and…
-
The RIFF Tuesday Tracks writers pick their favorite finds of 2018
This is the second year the RIFF staff has compiled our weekly new music column, Tuesday Tracks, highlighting standout tunes that were, perhaps, flying under the radar. And what a productive year 2018 was. Chloe Catajan, Max Heilman, Vic…
-
Daniel J. Willis: The Worst of 2018 in Music
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…
-
Kyle Kohner’s top 50 albums of 2018: 10-1
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…
-
Kyle Kohner’s top 50 albums of 2018: 20-11
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…
-
Kyle Kohner’s top 50 albums of 2018: 30-21
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…
-
In memoriam: Eight artists we lost in 2018
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…
-
Kyle Kohner’s top 50 albums of 2018: 40-31
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.…
-
Kyle Kohner’s top 50 albums of 2018: 50-41
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…
-
PLAYLIST: Behind the scenes with Roman Gokhman’s year in interviews
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…
