The Riff
@theriffmedia.bsky.social
Medium's premier music publication
🚨 Captain Beyond Album Discussion — Join Our Meetup tomorrow!
We’ve got a great host and a killer record, all set to go. All we need now is you!
Meeting is at 4 PM eastern.
Here’s how to join the fun:
medium.com/the-riff/ann...
We’ve got a great host and a killer record, all set to go. All we need now is you!
Meeting is at 4 PM eastern.
Here’s how to join the fun:
medium.com/the-riff/ann...
Announcement: Captain Beyond Album Discussion — Join Our Meetup!
We’ve got a great host and a killer record, all set to go. All we need now is you! Here’s how to join the fun.
medium.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:48 PM
🚨 Captain Beyond Album Discussion — Join Our Meetup tomorrow!
We’ve got a great host and a killer record, all set to go. All we need now is you!
Meeting is at 4 PM eastern.
Here’s how to join the fun:
medium.com/the-riff/ann...
We’ve got a great host and a killer record, all set to go. All we need now is you!
Meeting is at 4 PM eastern.
Here’s how to join the fun:
medium.com/the-riff/ann...
Reposted by The Riff
Join us to discuss The English Beat’s third album:
○ August 24th 1pm PST/4pm EST via Zoom
○ Hosted by @theriffmedia.bsky.social
○ Zoom link & details at the end of article
Powerpoint is ready:) Newcomers welcome! We are a great, international group of friendly but discerning nerds. #TheBeat
○ August 24th 1pm PST/4pm EST via Zoom
○ Hosted by @theriffmedia.bsky.social
○ Zoom link & details at the end of article
Powerpoint is ready:) Newcomers welcome! We are a great, international group of friendly but discerning nerds. #TheBeat
"The English Beat’s catalogue continues to resonate with uncontainable vitality and provide a source of refuge with its forceful buoyancy while managing to meditate on the darkness of the world”
#TheBeat #TheEnglishBeat #Ska #Punk #MusicEvent #SpecialBeatService #Album
medium.com/the-riff/spe...
#TheBeat #TheEnglishBeat #Ska #Punk #MusicEvent #SpecialBeatService #Album
medium.com/the-riff/spe...
Special Beat Service
August Album of the Month
medium.com
August 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Join us to discuss The English Beat’s third album:
○ August 24th 1pm PST/4pm EST via Zoom
○ Hosted by @theriffmedia.bsky.social
○ Zoom link & details at the end of article
Powerpoint is ready:) Newcomers welcome! We are a great, international group of friendly but discerning nerds. #TheBeat
○ August 24th 1pm PST/4pm EST via Zoom
○ Hosted by @theriffmedia.bsky.social
○ Zoom link & details at the end of article
Powerpoint is ready:) Newcomers welcome! We are a great, international group of friendly but discerning nerds. #TheBeat
👀
I caught up with @robjanicke
whose new book unpacks how 1991 became the breakout year for grunge, changing music—and lives—forever.
Check out the interview+ see how you can win a signed copy of the book!
whose new book unpacks how 1991 became the breakout year for grunge, changing music—and lives—forever.
Check out the interview+ see how you can win a signed copy of the book!
A New Music Book You Should Check Out
In conversation with Rob Janicke on his new book and how you can get a free copy
open.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
👀
This is gonna be awesome, but it's be even better with you there. Join us!
"What they all have in common is that they move me, in one way or another... I hope that you will find a few things here that scratch an itch you didn’t know you had."
#music
Join us tomorrow!
#music
Join us tomorrow!
An Album of the Month Event You Should Check Out
We've got a great host and a killer playlist, all set to go. All we need now is you! Here's how to join the fun.
open.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
This is gonna be awesome, but it's be even better with you there. Join us!
"As majestic strings give way to a lush mid-tempo bounce, the track doesn’t so much command the dance floor as lure partygoers off the wall like a stylishly attired pied piper."
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
Soulspin 2000: Lucy Pearl — Lucy Pearl
Neo-soul’s grooviest grown folks party turns 25
medium.com
May 18, 2025 at 2:56 PM
"As majestic strings give way to a lush mid-tempo bounce, the track doesn’t so much command the dance floor as lure partygoers off the wall like a stylishly attired pied piper."
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
Reposted by The Riff
This is an incredible story from @robjanicke.bsky.social
Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
"Kurt hasn’t been with us for a while, and I had already bid on his Cardigan sweater from the Nirvana MTV Unplugged performance and wound up as the second highest bidder. "
#Music #Writing
medium.com/the-riff/the...
#Music #Writing
medium.com/the-riff/the...
The Man Who Bought The Jeans
A pair of Levi’s jeans, owned and worn by the late Kurt Cobain, sold for a record-breaking $412,750.00. Who is the man behind the sale?
medium.com
April 28, 2025 at 1:53 PM
This is an incredible story from @robjanicke.bsky.social
Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.
"Kurt hasn’t been with us for a while, and I had already bid on his Cardigan sweater from the Nirvana MTV Unplugged performance and wound up as the second highest bidder. "
#Music #Writing
medium.com/the-riff/the...
#Music #Writing
medium.com/the-riff/the...
The Man Who Bought The Jeans
A pair of Levi’s jeans, owned and worn by the late Kurt Cobain, sold for a record-breaking $412,750.00. Who is the man behind the sale?
medium.com
April 28, 2025 at 1:39 PM
"Kurt hasn’t been with us for a while, and I had already bid on his Cardigan sweater from the Nirvana MTV Unplugged performance and wound up as the second highest bidder. "
#Music #Writing
medium.com/the-riff/the...
#Music #Writing
medium.com/the-riff/the...
"At its core, Reasonable Doubt is both an origin story and a use case for the ethos that defines its through line. Jay-Z’s worldview is best summed up in the opening verse of the album’s centerpiece, “Can I Live”: “I’d rather die enormous than live dormant.”
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #hiphop
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #hiphop
Backspin: Jay-Z — Reasonable Doubt (1996)
Rather die enormous than live dormant. (93.5/100)
medium.com
April 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
"At its core, Reasonable Doubt is both an origin story and a use case for the ethos that defines its through line. Jay-Z’s worldview is best summed up in the opening verse of the album’s centerpiece, “Can I Live”: “I’d rather die enormous than live dormant.”
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #hiphop
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #hiphop
"It’s not colour or shading, it’s the centrepiece that gives the song a feeling of perpetual movement that matches the frantic nature of the vocal. "
You Need to Listen to this Song Right Now #74
Heavy Rotation — God Part 2, U2 (Rattle and Hum, 1988)
medium.com
April 19, 2025 at 9:48 PM
"It’s not colour or shading, it’s the centrepiece that gives the song a feeling of perpetual movement that matches the frantic nature of the vocal. "
“American Doll” sees Rebecca sending a pointed message to all who wish women would play their roles like the titular doll brand churns out. Instead of something bright and sarcastic, Black opts for the oppressive crunch of thick synths and metallic beats."
#music #albumreview
#music #albumreview
Album Review | ‘Salvation’ by Rebecca Black
Black soars to new heights on her latest electrifying, EDM-laced EP.
medium.com
April 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
“American Doll” sees Rebecca sending a pointed message to all who wish women would play their roles like the titular doll brand churns out. Instead of something bright and sarcastic, Black opts for the oppressive crunch of thick synths and metallic beats."
#music #albumreview
#music #albumreview
"Instead, she invites us to join her in the messy, wonderful, painful process of being human. Whether she’s singing about the heartache of youth or the quiet acceptance of adulthood, Lorde’s music gives us space to feel everything we might otherwise try to ignore."
#Lorde #Music
#Lorde #Music
This Is What Feeling Everything All at Once Sounds Like
I no longer apologize for crying to songs at midnight. Lorde taught me that the feelings are the art.
medium.com
April 18, 2025 at 12:55 PM
"I couldn’t place a label on it or even an easy reference point, and this scared and exhilarated me."
Want to share your thoughts about this record? Join us on Sunday! It's free, and all are welcome.
Meeting links are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
Want to share your thoughts about this record? Join us on Sunday! It's free, and all are welcome.
Meeting links are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
An Album of the Month Event You Should Check Out
We’ve got a great host and a killer record, all set to go. All we need now is you! Here’s how to join us.
medium.com
March 22, 2025 at 12:16 AM
"I couldn’t place a label on it or even an easy reference point, and this scared and exhilarated me."
Want to share your thoughts about this record? Join us on Sunday! It's free, and all are welcome.
Meeting links are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
Want to share your thoughts about this record? Join us on Sunday! It's free, and all are welcome.
Meeting links are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
📅 SAVE THE DATE: On Sunday, we'll be talking about "Hallowed Ground" by The Violent Femmes.
Have some thoughts on the LP? Wanna just listen in? Join us! All are welcome. Meeting details are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
Have some thoughts on the LP? Wanna just listen in? Join us! All are welcome. Meeting details are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
The Riff’s Album of the Month Club: March 23, 2025
Come explore and discuss a hidden gem from 1984 by a one-of-a-kind Milwaukee trio. The Zoom link is at the bottom of the post.
medium.com
March 19, 2025 at 9:35 AM
📅 SAVE THE DATE: On Sunday, we'll be talking about "Hallowed Ground" by The Violent Femmes.
Have some thoughts on the LP? Wanna just listen in? Join us! All are welcome. Meeting details are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
Have some thoughts on the LP? Wanna just listen in? Join us! All are welcome. Meeting details are in the article.
#music #ViolentFemmes
Reposted by The Riff
Because the moment calls for more than a #TikTok dance: 10 #HipHop #Protest Anthems to Spark a Righteous Fire in @theriffmedia.bsky.social on #Medium
#music #rap #resistance #justice
tinyurl.com/3hdjv46p
#music #rap #resistance #justice
tinyurl.com/3hdjv46p
Lyrics of Fury: 10 Hip-Hop Protest Anthems to Spark a Righteous Fire
Because the moment calls for more than a TikTok dance
tinyurl.com
March 16, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Because the moment calls for more than a #TikTok dance: 10 #HipHop #Protest Anthems to Spark a Righteous Fire in @theriffmedia.bsky.social on #Medium
#music #rap #resistance #justice
tinyurl.com/3hdjv46p
#music #rap #resistance #justice
tinyurl.com/3hdjv46p
“By the song’s end, even the greenest newcomer would be hard-pressed not to understand the roles of rapper and DJ and how they work together to make musical magic.”
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music
medium.com/the-riff/bac...
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music
medium.com/the-riff/bac...
Backspin: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince — He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper (1988)
Hip-hop 101. (83/100)
medium.com
February 23, 2025 at 3:59 PM
“By the song’s end, even the greenest newcomer would be hard-pressed not to understand the roles of rapper and DJ and how they work together to make musical magic.”
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music
medium.com/the-riff/bac...
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music
medium.com/the-riff/bac...
"Construção is a stunning achievement of musical arrangements and haunting melodies carried by Buarque’s brilliant wordplay and syllabic rhythms...that transcend the language barrier."
Cool people talking about a cool record? You bet. Change your plans & join us! Details in link. 4 PM EST/9 PM GMT
Cool people talking about a cool record? You bet. Change your plans & join us! Details in link. 4 PM EST/9 PM GMT
The Brazilian Sisyphus
The Riff’s February 2025 Album of the Month, February 16th
medium.com
February 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"Construção is a stunning achievement of musical arrangements and haunting melodies carried by Buarque’s brilliant wordplay and syllabic rhythms...that transcend the language barrier."
Cool people talking about a cool record? You bet. Change your plans & join us! Details in link. 4 PM EST/9 PM GMT
Cool people talking about a cool record? You bet. Change your plans & join us! Details in link. 4 PM EST/9 PM GMT
"Perhaps Larrieux’s sound was a touch too ethereal for a genre characterized by earthiness. Maybe she conveyed more uptown cocktail lounge than downtown coffee house. Certainly, her musical DNA is more Sade Adu than Chaka Khan."
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #writing #Medium
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #writing #Medium
Soulspin 2000: Amel Larrieux — Infinite Possibilities
Still dawning at 25
medium.com
February 16, 2025 at 3:11 PM
"Perhaps Larrieux’s sound was a touch too ethereal for a genre characterized by earthiness. Maybe she conveyed more uptown cocktail lounge than downtown coffee house. Certainly, her musical DNA is more Sade Adu than Chaka Khan."
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #writing #Medium
@jthepisodes.bsky.social #music #writing #Medium
"I like the little injection of soul the Wurlitzer keys bring to his country diddy. Dylan’s voice holds tightly to the beauty of his surroundings to keep the lonesome blues from consuming him completely..."
#Music #Writing #Medium
medium.com/the-riff/alb...
#Music #Writing #Medium
medium.com/the-riff/alb...
Album Review | ‘I Saw the Arkansas’ by Dylan Earl
Dylan Earl weaves a story of heartbreak and homesickness on his third release.
medium.com
February 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
"I like the little injection of soul the Wurlitzer keys bring to his country diddy. Dylan’s voice holds tightly to the beauty of his surroundings to keep the lonesome blues from consuming him completely..."
#Music #Writing #Medium
medium.com/the-riff/alb...
#Music #Writing #Medium
medium.com/the-riff/alb...
"Despite its rather gristly subject matter, the song, featuring Levon Helm and Rick Danko from The Band and David Crosby of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, is a fan favorite. Neil fans, you see, like it dark.
Oh, yeah. And it rocks."
#music #writing
Oh, yeah. And it rocks."
#music #writing
How Time Spent with Charles Manson Inspired Neil Young’s Darkest Song
“Revolution Blues” Brings Cult-Inspired Dune Buggies to Kill Hollywood Stars
medium.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:07 AM
ICYMI:
#NaughtyByNature emerged with a perfect storm of accessibility, authenticity, and one of the greatest #hiphop singles. I look back at their breakthrough album in #Backspin in @theriffmedia.bsky.social
#Medium #music #entertainment #90s
tinyurl.com/fba476md
#Medium #music #entertainment #90s
tinyurl.com/fba476md
Backspin: Naughty by Nature — Naughty by Nature (1991)
The perfect storm. (83/100)
tinyurl.com
February 12, 2025 at 11:06 AM
ICYMI:
Reposted by The Riff
For the 25th anniversary of #DAngelo's #Voodoo, I look back at the album where neo soul found its voice in @theriffmedia.bsky.social on #Medium
#music #soul @rollingstone.com @pitchfork.com @albumism.com
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
#music #soul @rollingstone.com @pitchfork.com @albumism.com
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
Soulspin 2000: D’Angelo — Voodoo
25 years of black magic
medium.com
January 26, 2025 at 3:14 PM
For the 25th anniversary of #DAngelo's #Voodoo, I look back at the album where neo soul found its voice in @theriffmedia.bsky.social on #Medium
#music #soul @rollingstone.com @pitchfork.com @albumism.com
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
#music #soul @rollingstone.com @pitchfork.com @albumism.com
medium.com/the-riff/sou...
"He croons and belts, strums and tickles, taps and pounds in resistance to industry demands and audience expectations, pushing him toward the performance of soul as he grapples to connect with his soul, our collective soul, through sound."
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
Soulspin 2000: D’Angelo — Voodoo
25 years of black magic
medium.com
January 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
"He croons and belts, strums and tickles, taps and pounds in resistance to industry demands and audience expectations, pushing him toward the performance of soul as he grapples to connect with his soul, our collective soul, through sound."
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
@jthepisodes.bsky.social
"The iconic photograph of Elvis Presley sitting at the piano flanked by Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash has been written about countless times...but I’m also always surprised how many times it goes unmentioned what was being recorded that day."
medium.com/the-riff/the...
medium.com/the-riff/the...
The Recording Session That Led to a Famous Photo
The iconic image wasn’t the only thing produced on that fateful day.
medium.com
January 24, 2025 at 1:46 PM
"The iconic photograph of Elvis Presley sitting at the piano flanked by Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash has been written about countless times...but I’m also always surprised how many times it goes unmentioned what was being recorded that day."
medium.com/the-riff/the...
medium.com/the-riff/the...
Today's roundtable will cover everyone's top tracks of 2024. Bring your list and join us!
medium.com/the-riff/sta...
medium.com/the-riff/sta...
STARTING SOON: The Riff’s Top Songs of 2024 Discussion
Here’s how to join us!
medium.com
January 19, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Today's roundtable will cover everyone's top tracks of 2024. Bring your list and join us!
medium.com/the-riff/sta...
medium.com/the-riff/sta...
Our friend @stevewlauden.bsky.social with a moving story about loss, recovery, and resilience.
I came out from behind the pen name today to write about tragedy, loss and sobriety.
#CAwildfires #EatonFire #sobersky
#CAwildfires #EatonFire #sobersky
Vodka Sauce
Tragedy, Loss & Sobriety
rememberthelightning.substack.com
January 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Our friend @stevewlauden.bsky.social with a moving story about loss, recovery, and resilience.