Pulin Kothari

rock

203. QUADROPHENIA by The Who

I promised back in issue 175 that I would cover my favorite album by The Who, so here it is - Quadrophenia. The Who, previously discussed here, is my most beloved band. Unfortunately, I started following them right after they played in Houston, Texas on their 1982 tour. So, I

grunge

202. NEVERMIND by Nirvana

There are several significant historical events that are burned into the psyche of Gen X'ers like myself in that we remember exactly where we were or what we were doing when news of said event broke. For example, the space shuttle Challenger explosion in 1986 and 9/11

indie folk

201. FLORIST (self-titled)

This indie folk band out of Brooklyn, New York are just out with this 2022 record. Though self-titled albums are traditionally reserved for debuts, that's not the case here - this is their fourth. I was only introduced to the band via this latest outing, so have yet

singer songwriter

200. SERMON ON THE ROCKS by Josh Ritter

I continue to follow Josh Ritter closely as he is one of my favorite artist discoveries of the past 10 years or so. Previously covered here, everything I said back then still holds true today. An absolute stellar singer, songwriter, performer, social activist, etc., I could listen to his music

electropop

199. SURRENDER by Maggie Rogers

Here is the long-awaited 2022 follow-up to indie/pop/alt musician Maggie Rogers' first record (previously covered here). She reportedly wrote upwards of 100 songs during the interval between debut and sophomore albums (which, of course, encompassed the pandemic), so hearing what she ended up culling from the collection

noise pop

198. DARKLANDS by The Jesus and Mary Chain

This 1987 record is the sophomore effort by The Jesus and Mary Chain. Whereas their debut album was considered a landmark in the noise pop genre that eventually lead the way to shoegaze, this album toned down the fuzz and distortion and ramped up the melody which, in my opinion,

funk

197. THE SWING by INXS

This 1984 record by the Australian band (previously covered here), their fourth, marked a turning point from the post punk and new wave roots from which they stemmed to more of a pop and funk outfit. The Swing served as the launching point for international stardom that would finally arrive

pop

196. DIVA by Annie Lennox

This 1992 record, Lennox's debut as a solo artist, is, by far, her best album. Up to this point, Lennox was considered one-half of the British synth-pop duo Eurythmics. However, with her already established extraordinary vocal abilities, all she had left to prove was whether she could serve

folk

195. ENTERING HEAVEN ALIVE by Jack White

This 2022 record, fresh out today, is a welcome respite from White's previous album (released just 3 months ago and covered here), where he played the mad scientist and we his guinea pigs. As promised back then, Entering Heaven Alive (ascension in the religious sense) gives us the

indie

194. ACT I: ORIGINS by Young The Giant

This indie/alternative band from SoCal (previously covered here) are back in 2022 with the first of a series of 4 EPs, this one called Origins. The idea is that all four of the EPs, once released, will encompass a full record titled American Bollywood. The goals here are lofty.

goth rock

193. DISINTEGRATION by The Cure

I've set myself up for failure by picking this 1989 record by The Cure (previously covered here) to feature today. Why? Well, how does one choose just 3 to 5 songs off this absolute masterpiece to get the unenlightened started? Conversely, how will the diehard fans ever agree

reggae

192. EXODUS by Bob Marley and The Wailers

This 1977 reggae record came about as a result of unfortunate circumstances - an unsuccessful assassination attempt at Marley's house/compound in Jamaica prompted him to 'exile' to London - Exodus was the album that came out of his time in England. Divided into 2 sides

post punk

191. EXCESS by Automatic

The Los Angeles-based synth/bass/drums trio (previously covered here) is back in 2022 with their second record. If you had a chance to listen to their debut and liked what you heard, then you're in store for more goodness here. The bass and synth heavy tunes continue,

indie pop

190. HOME, BEFORE AND AFTER by Regina Spektor

Previously covered here, Regina Spektor is back with this just released 2022 record. Ever since I first heard her, I've been enamored and mesmerized by her voice - I can't not listen to what she has to sing. She's not your straightforward singer songwriter;

pop rock

189. A NEW WORLD RECORD by Electric Light Orchestra

This 1976 record is considered one of the top two ELO albums in their discography (the other being 1977's Out Of The Blue). Most lists ranking ELO's records land Out Of The Blue in the top spot and it's hard to argue with this

indie

188. VERSIONS OF MODERN PERFORMANCE by Horsegirl

This trio from Chicago recently released this 2022 indie rock record. A fuzzy mix of gentle vocals and distortion-filled guitar sounds actually makes for a pleasing listen. It's a breath of fresh air in these sometimes overproduced days. Give 'Dirtbag Transformation (Still Dirty),' 'Billy'

art rock

187. HOUNDS OF LOVE by Kate Bush

Might as well get on the Kate Bush bandwagon, right? This 1985 record by the British musician is her most popular as well as probably her most accessible as she does tend to have more art rock/prog rock leanings. My introduction to Bush was back in college, in the

alt country

186. TEETH MARKS by S.G. Goodman

This just released 2022 record by Kentucky's S.G. Goodman is her sophomore effort. It's a little bit country, a little bit alternative and a whole lot of warble - Goodman is known for the shakiness perfectly placed in her songs in the same way that

rock

185. DOUBLE FANTASY by John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Sometimes it's funny the way life works - or, in this case, death. This 1980 album, recorded with his wife and after a 5 year break from music to focus on raising his son Sean, was generally panned by critics. However, Lennon was shot and killed about 3

pop punk

184. FEELINGS by Bloods

This 2018 record by unfortunately named Australian pop punk band Bloods (I couldn't find out how/why they ended up with this name) is about 30 minutes of pop punk (and/or self-described riot grrrl) heaven. They have a new album coming out in September of 2022 so

college rock

183. I DO NOT WANT WHAT I HAVEN’T GOT by Sinead O’Connor

Powerful. That's the only way to describe this 1990 record. The effect it had on me when it was released in the middle of my college years cannot be overstated. In fact, it is one of my all time favorite albums. I covered O'Connor's

indie pop

182. THE LAST THING LEFT by Say Sue Me

I only just heard about this South Korean band last week when reading something about the anticipation of their upcoming 2022 record, now officially released. Well, we've not quite reached mid-year but I have a feeling this may end up on my year end list of favorite 2022

garage rock

181. DROPOUT BOOGIE by The Black Keys

The Black Keys go back to the basics on this just released 2022 record - and thank goodness for it. After a brief detour off the beaten path in the form of a couple albums that didn't really do it for me, they're back to what

pop rock

180. CROWDED HOUSE (self-titled)

This 1986 debut record from New Zealand/Australian band Crowded House was their introduction to the world, but it wasn't Neil Finn's. Principal songwriter and singer Finn was fresh off the break-up of his previous band, Split Enz, when he formed Crowded House a year or

blues

179. IN SESSION (LIVE) by Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan

I've been listening to a ton of blues lately which lead me down a YouTube rabbit hole of Albert King videos. The highlight is this 1983 audio recording of King and SRV's Canadian TV appearance. The great thing about these old blues legends are the stories