poptransmission

Author: DSquared

  • American Rust: Life & Crime in Rust Belt, PA

    American Rust is a crime drama television series set in Rust Belt, PA, shifting back and forth from the fictional small town of Buell to the big city of Pittsburgh. It premiered on Showtime in 2021 and was canceled after its first nine-episode season. It recently resurfaced on Amazon Freevee as American Rust: Broken Justice…

  • Psychedelic Furs & Exene/John Doe: Still Sparkling on Stage

    I’ve seen the Psychedelic Furs and X three times each in concert – 1990, 2012, and 2018 for the former and 1980, 1983, and 2007 for the latter. (Also, Exene once, and John Doe a couple times, in solo acoustic shows.) I usually am satisfied at seeing a band three times in concert and saving…

  • New Music Alert: Shoegaze is Alive and Well

    I heard these ten songs recently and think the bands might be worth exploring. As usual for the New Music Alerts, some are new bands, some older bands with new music, and most are new to me. I’m still drawn to the shoegaze syndrome, so about half of the songs have elements of that genre.…

  • Hitchcock’s Blondes: An Inside Look at Eight Remarkable Actresses

    With over 50 films to his credit, Alfred Hitchcock was a ubiquitous presence in cinema. From the silent movies of the 1920s to the color films of the 1960s, his list of indelible Hollywood moments goes on and on…Ingrid Bergman with co-stars Cary Grant and Gregory Peck, Grace Kelly and co-stars Cary Grant and Jimmy…

  • Dark Matter: Pearl Jam Still Going Strong at 35

    We’ve heard it all before with bands that have been around for a while. The new album is a “return to form” or “their best since …” Pearl Jam’s latest is getting that kind of talk. I’ll admit to being a big fan since Ten, but have they ever really lost their form? (Ok, maybe…

  • My Record Store Day: Pearl Jam and Blur Special Editions

    Happy Record Store Day! One of my favorite days of the year. And it just keeps getting bigger. What started in 2008 as a rather low-key affair, Record Store Day (RSD) has become a community event to celebrate the locally owned record store. RSD brings together fans, artists, and thousands of independent record stores across…

  • The Sympathizer: A Different Perspective on the Vietnam War

    “In America it’s called the Vietnam War. In Vietnam it’s called the American War.” During the pilot episode, HBO’s latest addition to Sunday night TV makes it clear that The Sympathizer is about the American War; a shift from the common perspective of the U.S soldier to the plight of the Vietnamese people. Directed by…

  • 15 Iconic Album Covers That Still Capture Our Attention

    They are cultural and artistic expressions. The initial attraction to a potential trove of new music. Titillating, mysterious, or in-your-face. Album covers are all these things and more. Their indelible images have come in the form of flawless portraits, unconventional artwork, and cutting-edge graphics. Some rock musicians, such as Michael Stipe (Accelerate), Jimmy Page (Led…

  • Undercover: Another International Treat from Netflix, This Time a Dutch Crime Thriller

    The scenario: Undercover agents infiltrate a drug kingpin’s operation by posing as a couple at the campground where he spends his weekends. They gain his trust and become close friends and partners in crime. Bad cops, twists and turns, double crosses, and sexual tension. Sound familiar? Of course, we’ve all seen a variation of this…

  • 1984: Top Ten Albums From 40 Years Ago

    Time for another look back. 1984 was an eventful year in music: Sometimes I go into making these lists with a clear favorite (or two or three), in mind, but not this time. While there were some fine albums released in 1984, upon reflection, there were no definitive albums of the year for me. Some…

  • Future Islands Continues the Sweet Synths and Emotional Vocals on New Album

    Future Islands have graced these pages a couple of times since I first heard them in 2020 thanks to Sirius XMU radio. I was a fan the minute I heard “For Sure” and quickly bought the album, As Long as You Are (see my album review Future Islands: As Long as You Are Review). After…

  • Bob Marley: One Love – His Reggae Music Still Rules

    Does “Is This Love” get your body bouncing? Does “Redemption Song” get your emotions stirring? If so, hopefully you enjoyed the new Bob Marley movie in the surround sound of the theaters. If not, you still may have time before One Love ends its theater run. And don’t let the lukewarm critical reviews sway you.…