Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Like its predecessors, this latest compendium inevitably sounds as if it were designed for someone with multiple personalities.
Read More »Music Reviews: 99 Hits from 1956 and Two Blasts from the Blasters’ Past
Holiday Music
Music & Video Reviews: Rolling Stones’ ‘Black and Blue’ Box Set, plus Robert Gordon with Link Wray, and Melissa Carper’s Christmas Album
Melissa Carper's 'A Very Carper Christmas' is the best Christmas album of 2025, and one of the very best so far in this century.
Read More »Concert/Cabaret Review: ‘A Goyishe Christmas to You!’ from New York Festival of Song
The tradition of Jewish songwriters writing Christmas tunes dates back at least to Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas.'
Read More »Music & Film Reviews: Rolling Stones’ ‘Welcome to Shepherd’s Bush,’ plus Sun Ra, Christopher Cross, and B.B. King
A “secret” 1999 concert at London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire music venue by a fired-up Rolling Stones included some rarely heard numbers.
Read More »Music Interview: Amoraa on ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’
"Christmas is my favorite time of year!"
Read More »Music Reviews: Frank Zappa’s ‘Over-nite Sensation’ Box Set, the Feelies’ Velvet Underground Tribute, and More New Releases
Reviews of an expanded edition of Frank Zappa's Over-nite Sensation, the Feelies' 'Some Kinda Love,' and more.
Read More »Music Review: Ensemble Correspondances – ‘Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Messe de Minuit’ (Christmas Music from 1694)
This recording of the Midnight Mass and other Christmas music by the French baroque master definitely brings some joy to the world, no matter what holidays you may celebrate.
Read More »Music Reviews: Choral Music for Christmas from The Crossing and Cappella Romana
New albums of Christmas-related choral music from contemporary choir The Crossing and Eastern Orthodox music specialists Cappella Romana have brightened my holiday season.
Read More »Concert Review (NYC): John Adams’ ‘El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered’ from American Modern Opera Company
A compelling performance of Julia Bullock's chamber version of John Adams' 'El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered' was an unusual way to usher in Christmas at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.
Read More »Music Reviews: Guns n’ Roses’ ‘Use Your Illusion’ (Super Deluxe Ed.), plus Jimi Hendrix, Amy Ray, James Houlahan, Eddie & the Hot Rods, and Louis Armstrong
A gargantuan box set adds two live concerts and more to Guns N' Roses' 'Use Your Illusion' albums.
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