But while I am nervous for what’s to come, I’ve always found comfort in Paramore—whether I was: 15 and head banging to “Misery Business” during anime club; crushing it on my Rock Band drum set to “That’s What You Get”; fucking up at my first publishing internship with an earful of “Ain’t It Fun”; or lip-syncing to “Still Into You” in my junior year dorm room, at 4 a.m., when I was in denial about how in love I was with a best friend.

If this album were a place, it would be a penny candy store: high fructose and courting an overdose. 

This album feels like rain; like those moments when you are half asleep in bed reviewing the day.

New Miserable Experience Gin Blossoms Label: A&M Released: August 4th, 1992 Length: 45:02   When I... more

I was still in diapers when American Fool was released, so by the time I made my way to Indiana for college, it was already a classic. And it’s not until you live in Indiana—in small-town Indiana—that you feel Johnny Cougar Mellencamp in your veins.

And so even though my flight was the next morning and my phone was dying and I had neither a charger nor anyone else’s phone number written down, I went to the show, alone.

We were there to see Belgian metal band Oathbreaker. And I bought a Khemmis shirt, in part because theirs was one of the best, most metal, riffiest sets I’ve ever seen and in part because their shirts were the kinds of all wizards and skulls that you want in a metal shirt. But it was Jaye Jayle I found most hypnotic.

I don’t know if I ever actually listened to Blink-182, but I told people that I did.

Preparation:

- In pint glass, pour Rumchata over ice. 

- Top with Dr. Pepper or Root Beer, whichever he is feeling.

- Drink through a straw.

And I had to wonder while I watched the mosh-pits if these kids were even listening.

From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah Nirvana Label: DGC Released: October 1st, 1996 Length: 17 songs, 54... more

This was the “Year of the Whopper”:          
I ate a Whopper.
I ate a Whopper.
You dumped me.

A Tribe Called Quest We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service Released: November 11,... more

Leonard Cohen was untouchable. I’m not a fan of poems about poetry—or at least, I’ve never been able to pull it off—and that’s all Cohen is. Poetry. 

22, A Million Bon Iver Label: Jagjaguwar Released: September 30, 2016 Length: 10 songs, 34 minutes   The first... more

Maybe we need a few more windows-rolled-down drives out to the country with good tunes cranked up

This whole album is full of wandering. Play it at a high altitude, and the line might fade entirely between dream and reality.

Chaos and beauty, sirens, dancing and weeping.

There’s maybe nothing more fitting

He bought a house in the country: he’s looking into some chickens. 

But with all to take in, when Jerry came out, it was as though God himself had appeared.

Cleopatra (Deluxe) The Lumineers Release Date: April 8, 2016 Label: Dualtone Length: 46... more

Christmas Past Bill Murray has come a long way. His corner office is all black lacquer and... more

Roy Scheider is afraid of the water. He has been his whole life. It’s a difficult one to explain,... more

Pierce Brosnan only has so much time left. He doesn’t know it yet, but this will be... more