This month in previous years

Posts

PostDateExcerpt
Holger Czukay – Der Osten Ist Rot02/23/2024In 1984 former CAN member and co-founder Holger Czukay released his third solo album. The story of Der Osten Ist Rot!
Pavement gains true steam on Crooked Rain Crooked Rain02/14/2024On Valentine's Day 1994 Pavement release their second album. The story of the superb Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain!
In 1974 Eno debuts with Here Come The Warm Jets02/08/2024In 1974 Eno debuted as a solo artist with Here Come The Warm Jets, a unique, unconventional and varied piece of work.
Stiff Little Fingers releases a punk classic: Inflammable Material02/02/20241979 saw the release of one of the best punk albums of all time: Stiff Little Fingers' Inflammable Material.
Frank Zappa at the Hammersmith Odeon London 197802/28/2023In 1978 Frank Zappa performed in London. The recordings were released posthumously on his 70th birthday. Another impressive release!
Cat Power – You Are Free02/18/2023In 2003 Cat Power released an album with her own material. It was called You Are Free, an impressive collection of haunting songs.
Carmen Electra debuts on Paisley Park02/09/2023In 1993 the Carmen Electra album was released on Paisley Park Records, was it a worthy release by a Prince satellite act?
Max Romeo’s classic War Ina Babylon02/24/2021In 1976 the first part of Lee "Scratch" Perry's "holy trinity" was released: Max Romeo's great War Ina Babylon!
Crass, Freud and feminism: Penis Envy02/14/2021In 1981 Crass released their third album, the anarcho punk feminist Penis Envy. A look back at a brilliant album!
J Dilla – Donuts02/07/2021Three days before his untimely death, J Dilla released the influential Donuts. A look back at an important hip-hop album!
Prince – Google’s most searched guitar solo02/29/2020Google announced "the most searched" results in honor of Black History Month. A look at Black History Month, Google's findings and Prince's guitar prowess.
Tröckener Kecks, from punk to new wave to rock02/21/2020Tröckener Kecks was my favorite rock band in the early 1980s to sing in the Dutch language. The story of the Amsterdam band following their discography.
The Black Crowes Present $hake Your Money Maker02/13/2020Seemingly out of nowhere a great rock & roll debut album was released in 1990: The Black Crowes Present $hake Your Money Maker. A look back
The Smiths release their second masterpiece: Meat Is Murder02/11/2020Early 1985 The Smiths release their second masterpiece. Meat Is Murder turns out to be a beautiful album that contains a number of timeless Smiths classics. A look back.
U.K. Subs – Crash Course02/01/2020In 1980 U.K. Subs released their live album Crash Course. It would be their biggest success. The story behind the band and the album!
Mark Hollis 1955-201902/25/2019And suddenly news broke that Mark Hollis had passed away. Twenty years after withdrawing from the limelights it was still world (music) news. A tribute.
Van Hunt debuts02/24/2019In 2004 Van Hunt makes his debut. A promising new artist, who makes 'real' soul and can do everything by himself. A look back at his first album.
Thomas Dolby – The Flat Earth02/18/2019In 1984 Thomas Dolby released his second album. Was it just as good as his fantastic debut and She Blinded Me With Science? A look back.
David Bowie – Serious Moonlight (live ’83)02/15/2019Yet another great David Bowie release. The Serious Moonlight Tour, which catapulted Bowie's career into the stratosphere. Finally available as an audio release!
New photo’s Prince & The Revolution Live 198602/10/2019An A Pop Life exclusive. Twenty photos, which have never been published before, of Prince & The Revolution live in Ahoy Rotterdam in 1986!
LCD Soundsystem – Electric Lady Sessions02/08/2019Today the latest album by LCD Soundsystem was released: Electric Lady Sessions. A live album containing three covers. Is it a good one (yet again)? A review.
Crass – The Feeding Of The 500002/02/2019At the end of the 1970's Crass started her full-on attack on society. The Feeding Of The 5000 was their first feat. An anarchopunk classic!
Madonna – Ray Of Light02/22/2018Madonna's Ray Of Light made sure that Madonna could be taken seriously. Was it that good an album? Yes, it most definitely was!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push The Sky Away02/18/2018Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' 2013 Push The Sky Away album finds Nick Cave still being relevant. He delivers a great album, which contains two all time Nick Cave classics. Impressive!
Van Halen – The best debut album of all time?02/10/201840 years ago one of the best debut albums of all time was released: the first album by Van Halen. The savior of hard rock and a new standard for guitar players. A look back.
Iggy And The Stooges – Raw Power02/07/2018By 1972 The Stooges and Iggy Pop were in shambles. As a long time fan, David Bowie helped out. It would result in the ultimate template for punk: Iggy And The Stooges - Raw Power!
The best Australian songs02/24/2017In light of an upcoming emigration, the 10 best songs from artists with Australian ties. From AC/DC to Olivia Newton John!
Prince – Sign O The Times – single – 30 years old02/18/201730 years ago today the single Sign O´ The Times was released!
Simon And Garfunkel – The Concert In Central Park02/16/2017Early 1980's New York's Central Park was in chaos. The solution came in the form of a concert by legendary duo Simon And Garfunkel. How an improbable reunion grew out to be a triumph.
Pavement – Brighten The Corners02/11/201720 years ago Pavement's Brighten The Corners was released, their finest album. The re-release in particular, turned out to be a real treasure. From Denmark, no less!
Divine – My First Album02/05/2017Drag queen Divine got into music 35 years ago and emerged with My First Album: a great dance album!

Concerts

ConcertDateExcerpt
U.K. Subs, 02/15/202002/15/20203½/5: Very entertaining show by U.K. Subs, who raced through their set within an hour. Great evening!
Jacob Collier, 02/13/201902/13/20193½/5: After a truly amazing and perfect first hour, the concert collapsed and we were subjected to community singing. Pity.
The Revolution, 02/10/201902/10/20194/5: The Revolution in Paradiso became a wake of Prince, The Revolution, the Minneapolis Sound and the past. And all of that in a former church.
Massive Attack, 02/01/201902/01/20192½/5: It was disappointing. Can Mezzanine be less good than we thought? Highlight was a Cure cover and Angel. Teardrop (with Liz Fraser!) definitely was not.
Kendrick Lamar, 02/27/201802/27/20185/5: Kendrick Lamar brought his DAMN. tour to Europe. Could he live up to all the expectations? Yes, seemingly effortless. King Kendrick!
Belle & Sebastian, 02/19/201802/19/20182/5: The slide-show was a highlight. Enough said.
Foxygen, 02/22/201702/22/20174/5: Very sympathetic show by Foxygen. Foxygen turned it into a great evening: inventive songs with sixties influences.
Massive Attack, 02/25/201602/25/20163½/5: At times an impressive show. Political message fit the music perfectly.
Kula Shaker, 02/21/201602/21/20163/5: Much more fun than I expected. Energetic, despite voice problems.
Sezen Aksu, 02/15/201602/15/20164½/5: I am very happy I got to know Sezen Aksu. I have seen her multiple times and this last one was the most moving.
alt-J, 02/05/201502/05/20153/5: Good show, yet a little distant and static. It seemed the band had taken on the challenge of reproducing the albums versions as perfectly as possible.
Bootsy Collins’ Funk Unity Band, 02/21/201402/21/20143½/5: Top funk with über cool bass player Bootsy!
Doe Maar, 02/12/201302/12/20133½/5: Very, very nice show. All in all, they did write a lot of really great songs!
D’Angelo, 02/10/201202/10/20124/5: Night concert; concert started at 2 AM. Together with my son Rachid, his first concert ever. Waiting in line for a long time outside of Paradiso (on one of the coldest nights of the year). And (once again) an incredible show!
Kardes Türküler, 02/24/200702/24/20073½/5: Seeing Kardes Turkuler in such a beautiful environment. Can't go wrong, and it didn't.
The Family Stand, 02/10/200702/10/20074½/5: And suddenly news broke that The Family Stand would play in Heerhugowaard. With around 25 people present, the band played a great show that went on for 2 hours straight. A very special evening!
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, 02/20/198802/20/19883/5: I remember not being too thrilled about the concert.
Tröckener Kecks, 02/05/198402/05/19845/5: Brilliant concert of what was my favorite Dutch band at the time!