“Rock & roll is dying because people became OK with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world.”
Music
Let’s Go Eat the Factory: Guided by Voices’ Lo-Fi Reunion
Robert Pollard and his band have reunited to release a charming album full of distorted, guitar-driven indie rock.
2011’s 50 Newest Members of Rock ‘n’ Roll Heaven
Along with the widely observed deaths of Amy Winehouse and Gil Scott-Heron, a number of lesser-known musical figures passed away in 2011. They didn’t get as much recognition, perhaps, but they made valuable contributions to …
The Weeknd’s Echoes of Silence: A Third Mixtape, a Third Success
Despite not yet releasing a proper album, Abel Tesfaye has crafted some of this year’s most compelling and captivating music.
James Blake Is As Crazy As Ever On His New EP
The British producer-turned-musician is making some of the catchiest, most difficult music in recent memory.
Music Monday: Common Dreams Big
The Chicago rapper’s ninth studio album, The Dreamer/The Believer, pings back and forth between dirty and uplifting.
Listen to TIME’s Protest Song Playlist On Spotify
The Protester is TIME’s 2011 Person of the Year. In honor of that decision, we’ve put together a playlist of protest songs
She’s a Dancing Machine: Girl Talk’s 71-Minute Long Music Video
The girl hustles into the ballet studio to the disapproving glare of the dance teacher, and takes her place at the barre. You can tell from the start that she doesn’t belong there among the stern, steely bunheads. Her eyes are …
Music Monday: The Rise of the Christmas Album
I’m a Christmas music traditionalist. Whereas I happily seek out new bands and explore new music throughout the year (and not just because it’s my job), around the holidays I become so conservative, so unyielding in my song …
Listen: The Best Music of 2011 Is Now On Spotify
Earlier this week, TIME released its Best of 2011 lists, which included round-ups of our favorite songs and albums of the past year. Because we’re so nice — and because we never grew out of our adolescent mixtape phase — …
The 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees: Then and Now
This year, The Beastie Boys, Guns N’ Roses, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Donovan, The Small Faces and Laura Nyro join a long list of rock legends
The Best Albums of 2011
Like crops and the stock market, the music industry has years of plenty and years of drought. 1965 saw several new songs that are now considered classic, such as Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and the Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Can you imagine what that year-end Top …
Questlove Served Me Fried Chicken
On the eve of their new album release, The Roots’ drummer took over the kitchen at New York’s Blue Note jazz club to tout his new catering business.