Music Media Review

For 25 years , John Mayer has sung and played guitar in contemporary singer/songwriter opportunities. Releasing a new single 5 years after his previous solo album , " Tom and Jerry " consists cryptic mysteries when and why it came out now. Admiring his work through personal memories, I recap John's pivotal moments and " Tom and Jerry " 's marketable significances.  The Sphere  2027 residency dates...

Based on the 1964 children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory   came out 6/30/71 . Celebrating 55 years, The Library of Congress just hosted an event for its milestone anniversary. Regarded for its fantastic movie and soundtrack, here's a double review of both works interviewing Life's But A Song podcast host  Jon Reilly .  Brooklyn's The Rat NYC venue...

Country singer Lauren Alaina ranked runner-up on American Idol's 10th season in 2011. Still making music successfully, she just earned her 4th #1 country hit with "All My Exes" feat. Chase Matthew . What makes this achievement more significant is that the song came out a year ago! Find out the different reasons that led to top country radio, and how it measure up to Lauren's 3 prior #1s.  Lauren's...

Fitting around Halloween, 2 songs from the same artist have haunted pop charts for a year! Australian artist Kevin Parker goes by alternative name Tame Impala , media promotions escalated his 2025 singles " Dracula " and " Loser ". Find out how and the hidden meanings of both tracks'  2026 popularity.  " Dracula (Jennie Remix) " "Loser" in  Spiderman: Brand New Day  Beck's "Loser" (1993-1994) Beck...

Miranda Lambert 's 10th new solo album glistens a restored music era. Crisco   mixes country and disco! We've seen yacht rock make waves, will "crisco" add more grease to the music melting pot? I research country-disco's origin , provide my album critique, and its specialty work. Like a vinyl record and disco ball, give this episode a spin!  Miranda Lambert discography Crisco YouTube channel video...

Twice this year, I missed seeing Lenny Kravitz live. Until I'm given another chance, I read his 2020 memoir Let Love   Rule , and bought his new Ken doll ! Worshipping an amazing biography and music, I recommend these 10 songs in this countdown. Playlist: 10. “ Thinking of You ” (1998) 9. “ Ride ” (2018) 8. “ Stand” (2014) 7. “ TK421 ” (2023) (Explicit) 6. “ Let Love Rule ” (1989) 5. “ American Wo...

Twice this year, I missed seeing Lenny Kravitz live. Until I'm given another chance, I read his 2020 memoir  Let Love Rule , and bought his new Ken doll ! Worshipping an amazing biography and music, I recommend these 10 songs in this countdown.  Playlist: 10. “ Thinking of You ” (1998) 9. “ Ride ” (2018) 8. “ Stand” (2014) 7. “ TK421 ” (2023) (Explicit) 6. “ Let Love Rule ” (1989) 5. “ American Wo...

MTV 's gone many changes in its 45 network years, The 43rd VMAs will be no exception. Tons of tribute and category choices are aiming to please diverse demographics. Before the show airs, I analyze 10 popular categories to predict whom may win. Check our social media links below to view my ballot an hour "before" showtime, and results night "after".  VMAs full ballot Recap episodes:  Music Media R...

For 25 years, Brandon Flowers has sung lead in The Killers ' alternative band. Recently, he released a personal solo album flipping a completely different genre.  THRASHER delves his family background in Americana styled music. Find out why he set to try this genre, The Killers' origin, and the record's debut standings.  Brandon playing Oasis with his son.  Newport Folk Festival 2026 Tour Schedule...

Happy belated b-day to Beyoncé , and second album B'Day ! She released a third version on 9/4/26 , her actual birthday and its exact 20th anniversary . Current single " Morning Dew (Donk) "  was an announced bonus track , but much more got added. I review all 3 editions providing historical and music contexts for each.  Ellen Degeneres Show episode: 9/5/06 - interview , " Deja Vu ",   " Irreplacea...

Freddie Mercury epitomized classic rock as Queen' s enthusiastic frontman! Recording almost 2 decades worth of music came to a heartbreaking when he died of AIDS 11/24/91. Freddie would've turned 80 September 5th , and every Labor Day weekend his fan club host celebratory birthday events to keeping his memory alive. Raised a lifelong Queen fan, I devote this tribute episode with exclusive memories...

Benson Boone 's an indie-artist who temporarily used American Idol 's platform, then topped globally with 2024 power ballad " Beautiful Things " . A possible third album is in the works, but not until correcting some realities that occurred during his second one from 2025. Find out why and how " The Time of My Life " 's current single is a good lesson dealing with the price of fame.  Quitting Amer...

Actress Hayden Panetierre tragically lost her life 8/16/26, 5 days before turning 37. Devastating the entertainment industry and fans, her music is trending from country primetime drama  Nashville . I've watched the whole series real time, and blogged an  article when I worked in radio. Recap Hayden's character Juliette Barnes and listen back to her great singing voice in this special episode trib...

Mattel designed a new celebrity Barbie doll to their toy collection: Whitney Houston ! The product unveiled 8/9, which was her birthday . Her 2012 gone-too-soon death horribly upset fans and the music industry. 2 posthoumous biopics adapted Whitney's biography, and she remains acclaimed as one of the greatest singers of all time. Saluting a 25-year singing career , I countdown 10 hits remembering...

Independent singer Tucker Pilsbury improvised a live guest concert appearance a year ago, starting a fun gimmick at his ROLE MODEL shows. Transforming  "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out" 's morning after story, celebrities and fans became surprise pop-ups for audiences hyping up a #1 viral song! Ending 'Sally''s ride when 2025 did, a new acquaintance emerged for new album  Chuck Timely & The Hour...

For 3 decades, Shania Twain 's music broke ground out of Canada, sonically shifting modern country, and adult contemporary. Surviving family hardships, she's ready expressing her thoughts on new album   Little Miss Twain . Lyrically looking back, I curated a top 10 countdown reflecting the life events from these hits I recommended.  10. “Giddy Up!” (2023) 9. “Life’s About to Get Good” (2017) 8. “F...

Sienna Spiro   is a young jazz/pop prodigy. Her etiquette and vocals depict generations back, predicting Best New Artist nominations , and new album  Visitor for upcoming award shows. I tell Sienna’s biography, and review her new music shaping mainstream stardom. Singles: "You Stole The Show" ,  "Die On This Hill" , "The Visitor" , "Great Expectation" The Devil Wears Prada 2 Soundtrack; "Material...

World Cup 2026 has fully taken over a summer we won't forget. The games, tourism , and teams spirit have crafted global unity. Another area  FIFA' s excelling in is music. Licensed songs were released to promote the coverage, so have some retro hits fans turned to cheering on nations. My endgoal in this episode is tying in 2026's World Cup theme song by an artist who's sang for them 4 times, revie...

While America celebrated its 250th Independence Day , Madonna put out 15th album  Confessions II ! It musically reboots a past album, but candidly expressing more than we've heard personally from her. I recap Madonna's discography and compare Confessions II ' s quality to 2005's  Confessions on a Dance Floor 's record.  Celebration - 2009 compilation Confessions II - The Film Coachella 2026 feat S...

Happy 4th of July 250 ! Celebrating this milestone Independence Day weekend, let's flashback the last time U.S. did from bicentennial 's weekend: July 4, 1976 . I picked 10 songs from that weekend's top 40 of the Hot 100 , curating a perfect party playlist for you to enjoy.  Bicentennial Playlist: “A Fifth of Beethoven” - Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band “Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off...

What will be 2026's Song of the Summer ? My theory is Justin Bieber 's "Speed Demon" . This song has come out of nowhere, and isn't  from 2026! Find out what led this tune zooming through radio charts , and how its origin is defying odds the music industry didn't see coming.  Justin Bieber's YouTube Channel SWAG , SWAG II ,  (2025) "Yukon" at 2026 Grammys Coachella (Weekend 1) - 4/11/26; Setlist C...

Kicking off Summer 2026 and Fathers Day weekend, Keith Urban recorded yacht rock cover album  flow state . Rock journalist, podcast host, and a great friend from my radio days Eric Senich, co-hosts this track-by-track review.  Yacht Rock links: Yacht or Nacht , Masterclass' Yacht Rock article ,  Sirius/XM's Yacht Rock channels , Amazon Music , Pandora, Yacht Rock Revue ,  Yacht Rock web series  Er...

Disney/Pixar   are making movie and music history. Spanning over 30 years,  Toy Story 5  will be released in theaters June 19th, and  Taylor Swift  composed the new movie theme ! Reliving this childhood franchise, recap the movies and themes songs in this episode.  Films: Toy Story (1995) , Toy Story 2 (1999) , Toy Story 3 (2010) , Toy Story 4 (2019) Toy Story 30 Years & Beyond - 20/20 Special...

Rock is having big viral moments , including a father and daughter releasing albums spring 2026. Foo Fighters put out their 12th album  Your Favorite Toy , and Violet Grohl (eldest daughter of frontman Dave Grohl) reawakens '90s punk/grunge in  Be Sweet to Me . I review both albums, tying personal effects curating the new songs.   Your Favorite Toy 's YouTube playlist The Hannukah Sessions (2020-2...

Younger country singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves is back with a new album guiding herself through life. Her 7th album Middle of Nowhere   came out May 1st, combining songwriters she's worked on her past albums playing country, folk, and alternative. Collectively, the record fits in her discography with guest vocalists and Tejano instrumentation. I give my track-by-track review as a dedicated fan....