This month, reviews of Kendrick Lamar, a collection of international dance music, Miss Pooja, Bat For Lashes, the Funkees, Elle Varner, Pitbull, and Gudda Gudda.
Music
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (November 2012)
I hate to say this after Obama’s reelection, but my faith in popular taste has been shaken a little: except for Fiona Apple, none of the biggest sellers this month are worth your time. You could think of these records as the music industry’s way of stealing your money. Or you could simply refuse to buy them. BitTorrent, the world needs you.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue: Run-DMC Special
CHICAGO — Inspired by Michael Tatum’s Downloader’s Diary, where Tatum has so far published two full-artist reviews, I tried my hand at this form, and this is where it got me. It’s a great excuse to extensively play records I otherwise wouldn’t have enough time for, not to mention a way to understand a type of chronological progression that most people listening to music retrospectively often miss. Why I picked this one specifically I’m not quite sure, but it was worth it. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Run-DMC, the hardest-rocking band in hip-hop.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (October 2012)
This month, reviews of Twin Shadow, Bob Dylan,The Rough Guide to Highlife, Istanbul 70, The Sheepdogs, Orient Noir, Deadmau5, and Jens Lekman.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (September 2012)
This month, reviews of Flo Rida, Ab-Soul, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Purity Ring, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Blood on the Dance Floor, Frank Ocean, and Lee Brice.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (August 2012)
This month, reviews of Curumin, Tyga, Rye Rye, Waka Flocka Flame, Clams Casino, Patti Smith, The Gaslight Anthem and A Place To Bury Strangers.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (July 2012)
This month, reviews of Far East Movement, Loudon Wainwright III, Kimbra, Lee Ranaldo, Norah Jones, Royal Thunder, Rhett Miller, and Nicki Minaj.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (June 2012)
This month, reviews of Plug, Silversun Pickups, Issa Juma & Super Wankiya Stars, Allo Darlin’, Yuna, Amadou & Mariam, Odd Future and Beach House.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (May 2012)
This week, reviews of Esperanza Spalding, Madonna, Black Dice, Spoek Mathambo, All-American Rejects, Rusko, Jack White and Chromatics.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (Apr 2012)
This week, reviews of Die Antwoord, Sleigh Bells, Gotye, Karantamba, Frankie Rose, Fun., Todd Snider, Cloud Nothings and more.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (Mar 2012)
This week, reviews of Dr. Dog, Mohsen Namjoo, Rodrigo y Gabriela & C.U.B.A., Sia Tolno, Lana Del Rey, Clams Casino, Leonard Cohen, Snow Patrol and more.
Fagen’s Critical Catalogue (Feb 2012)
Reviews of music by Sorry Bamba, Josh T. Pearson, Childish Gambino, Bachata Roja, Pusha T, Eric Church, Bon Iver and Drake.