poptransmission

Category: Music

  • 10 Songs that Made Memorable Moments on TV

    The National song “Terrible Love” came on recently during the final scene of The End; Showtime’s Australian dark comedy about life, death, and dignity. The song’s melancholy vibe and chorus (“It takes an ocean not to break”) added dimension to the family playing together in the ocean. Another reminder of how music can transform our…

  • Finding New Music (and Some Old) – There’s Still the Radio

    Remember listening to AM and FM radio? Probably not for some of you. For me growing up in L.A., that was my initial introduction to music (along with my older brother’s record collection). Starting with AM’s KHJ Top 40, followed in high school by the cooler FM stations KLOS, KMET, and later the famous KROQ,…

  • Bob Mould: Still Rocking (Put in the Earplugs!)

    Remember Husker Du? Sugar? Did you know Bob Mould has 15 studio albums, including recent releases. He is indeed still rocking…loudly, and even bringing sunshine to his music. Husker Du formed in 1979 in St. Paul with Bob Mould on guitar/vocals, Grant Hart on drums/vocals, and Greg Norton on bass/vocals. After a few early punk…

  • Top 20 Rock ‘N’ Roll Cover Songs From Aretha to X

    Cover songs are a fundamental part of rock ‘n’ roll history. Think about your favorite songs. Chances are there’s a cover song (or two) on the list. Some cover songs serve as the introduction to new bands that catapult their careers. Some become iconic songs in their own right surpassing the impact of the original.…

  • The Top 20 Songs in Movies That Moved, Shocked, and Surprised Us

    As I’ve acknowledged before, us pop culture geeks love our best-of lists. That’s one of the main joys I got from the High Fidelity book and movie (I haven’t watched the Hulu series), for I too can give you my top 5, say Pearl Jam songs, on a moment’s notice. We love it when a…

  • Bands That Took 20 years (or more) Between Albums – Part 5: The WHO

    WHO. At this point in their career, what more do they need to say. The WHO album came 13 years after Endless Wire which came 24 years after It’s Hard. While, the Who were a touring force over this time period, they only produced two albums in 37 years. How do these two later albums…

  • Reggae Music: In Honor of the Roots

    I like reggae. It really does hit the spot sometimes, especially on hot summer days. Its repetitive nature, however, makes it a small dose diversion for me. But it’s repetitive by design. The staccato chords of the guitar (or piano) playing on the offbeat of the dominant rhythm section. It’s instantly recognizable. So, while it…

  • Concerts: Let’s Celebrate Their Return with a Highlight from “Before”: Elvis Costello and Blondie 2019 Tour

    As we return to attending concerts, I’m sure we’ve all looked back at what was our last concert. Mine was Courtney Barnett at the Fremont Theater on February 1, 2020. I saw Elton John for the first time in September, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. What a show in the true sense of…

  • Record Store Day Spotlight: Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, CA

    One of my favorite things to do in life has always been a trip to the local record store. As an early teen it was DoReMi on Pico Blvd. in West L.A. As a high-schooler it was the original Rhino Records on Westwood Blvd. near UCLA. At UCSB, it was Morninglory Records in Isla Vista…

  • Bands that Took a Long Time Between Albums: Part Four – The B52s

    The B52s. What comes to mind right away? Fun? Dancing? Party? The Beach? Outer Space? All of the above? Yes, in honor of coming out of our COVID shells and the beginning of summer, what better band to celebrate with than the B52s. So, let’s go to the Funlex, put our Hot Pants on, and…

  • Bands that Took 20 Years (or more) Between Albums: Part Three – Ride (and a shout out to Shoegazers)

    Shoegazer. A name given to bands from the U.K. in the late 1980s and early 90s who stood motionless during live shows with their heads down due to heavy use of foot pedals. The bands were characterized by an ethereal mix of obscured vocals, distorted guitars, and feedback. Their music was a LOUD blur of…

  • Remain in Love by Chris Franz: A Story of Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club, and Love

    I love rock bios. I’ll have to admit that the extreme decadence of constant sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll makes for a wild read. The antics and stamina of Led Zeppelin, the Stones, Van Halen, Aerosmith, and many more are hard to believe. Remain in Love is not that book. First and foremost, it’s…