72 views
A Fun Reboot For America’s Pastime: How the Savannah Bananas Are Changing Baseball
Baseball’s no longer just peanuts and warm 8th inning beer. Contributing Author and Historian Bill Bois touches ’em all, and shows how both the Savannah Bananas and one hammy first baseman-turned-TV cowboy taught America that the real object of the game might just be “fun.”
123 views
JJ’s Adventures In One-Hit Wonderland: Madness
“Our House” might’ve been your first stop, but it was far from the end of the line on the Madness nutty train. Contributing Author JJ Live At Leeds takes us through all the hits, hijinks, history, and the glorious mayhem America mostly missed.
163 views
Sticky Situations: Why Relative Humidity is a Hot Mess
Ever wonder why some hot days feel like a sauna and others just feel…hot? Contributing Author and Honest-To-Gosh Actual Hydrologist Link Crawford breaks it all down with wit, science, and even a little K-pop. (Bonus points for the boss-move-deployment of “evapotranspiration.”)
151 views
About This Time 30 Years Ago… It’s The Hits Of July-ish 1995!
It’s all here: rock star rage, sitcom boyfriends, monkey-faced Britpop legends, and a 14-year-old R&B prodigy singing about dem days. As one does.
Contributing Author DJ Professor Dan dives into the pop-cultural snapshot that was July, 1995 and dares to ask: was “You Oughta Know” really about good ol’ Uncle Joey?
142 views
A Sunday Funny: Why Does An Extremely Ill-Timed Gift Basket Make Me Laugh?
This might start out as a weird gift basket story, but it’s really about creativity, and loyalty – and how a pretty good joke can turn even a public firing and corporate chaos into something funny.
202 views
From EMI Engineer to Unlikely Pop Star: The Norman “Hurricane” Smith Story
Norman “Hurricane” Smith may not be a household name, but his fingerprints are all over some of music’s most iconic sounds.
In this captivating profile, Contributing Author and Music Historian Bill Bois unpacks the understated brilliance and surprising turns of a man who went from EMI engineer to become an unlikely pop star.
240 views
UN ENFRENTAMIENTO! Spanish Covers vs. #1 Hits: Who Wins This Cross-Language Showdown?
In this good natured but spirited cross-language clash, Contributing Author and Bueno Amigo Rollerboogie pits fiery Spanish covers against beloved English #1 hits.
Put on your favorite pair of auriculares – the showdown starts now.
193 views
The Return Of The Retro Reference Roundup: Five Classic Billboard Chart Books
Contributing Author Ozmoe spins through five classic Billboard publications with the same wit and sharp eye that built his own AC reference book.
Enjoy these playlist-worthy reviews through pop’s printed past.
Contributor Posts and Articles
Chuck Small’s Record Relays: Volume 8: The Pride Edition
From Elton and RuPaul, to Stevie and Destiny’s Child, this playlist spins with the full-spectrum brilliance of sometimes obscure pop partnerships.
Contributing Author Chuck Small curates this sparkling Pride month finale mixtape with flair, finesse, and the heart of a record collector.
About This Time 40 Years Ago… It’s The Hits Of July-ish 1985!
What do you get when you mix wartime statistics, jungle yodels, Prince’s five-and-dime fantasies, and Madonna’s, um, armpits? A bonkers 1985 summer soundtrack, expertly unpacked just 4 U by Contributing Author DJ Professor Dan,
A Sunday Funny: Why Does A Two-Minute British Comedy Sketch From 16 Years Ago Make Me Laugh?
A masterfully crafted sketch from comedy duo Mitchell and Webb serves up quintessentially British wit, brilliantly skewering professional arrogance – and with a punchline that’s as sharp as it is satisfying.
Red, White, and Riddle: A Fourth of July Song Quiz for Music Buffs
I set out to write a quiz and somehow ended up smelling like sulfur, and humming “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
But good news: the M80s are spent, my attention span has returned (briefly), and this red, white, and riddled music quiz is ready for you.
Two American Women In London; Two Stories: Chrissie Hynde And Holly Beth Vincent
Contributing Author and Punk Historian Bill Bois unravels a riveting dual portrait of two women who dared to chase guitars across continents. Expect sharp insight, sly humor, and a soundtrack you’ll be humming all week.
JJ’s Adventures In One-Hit Wonderland: Dexys Midnight Runners
From stolen tapes to faked Irish names, Dexys Midnight Runners weren’t just a band – they were a controlled explosion of style, soul, and stubborn vision.
Rediscover their chaotic brilliance in this sharp and scholarly portrait from Contributing Author JJ Live At Leeds.
AT40 Roulette, Part 2: Casey Kasem’s Best Random “Specials” Selections
Who else but Contributing Author Chuck Small could deploy the word “yuck” with such panache? Wander in chartland with Chuck in this Part 2 look at Casey Kasem’s AT40 Special Countdowns with a grin, a wince, and perhaps the occasional cringe.
About This Time 50 Years Ago… It’s The Hits Of June-ish 1975!
Strap in for a boogie back to June of 1975, where piccolos seduced, Aerosmith double-entendred, and ABBA sent out the saddest distress signal ever sung in sequins. It’s a jam-packed nostalgia bomb from DJ Professor Dan who proves that 50 years ago, music was groovier, weirder, and fond of bumping hips.
A Sunday Funny: Why Do Just Three Little Words from an Obscure 80s Western Sitcom Make Me Laugh?
What do you get when you cross an obscure 80s Western sitcom, a Broadway-trained villain, and one perfectly timed line? Three little words from Leonard Frey – and a big laugh.
Strawberries and… Noodles? The Unexpected Polish Comfort Food You’ll Love
In today’s episode of “Things That Shouldn’t Work But Weirdly Do,” Contributing Author and Top Chef Bill Bois introduces us to strawberries and noodles. Yes, together. And no, it’s not a dessert. Probably. Maybe. OK, we’re not sure…
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