I know I'm starting to sound like some dude constantly harping on his old favorites, but the reissue of Bikini Kill's singles compilation couldn't not be mentioned. 25-some years in, these songs still are such a monumental triumph, calling patriarchy, harassment and prejudice towards women to order, before ripping right through it.

It was awesome seeing Kathleen Hanna perform with the Julie Ruin last year – she's a bona fide hero. Their show was great in and of itself, so they didn't need to, but lord was it great that they did: ending the show with the defining rallying cry of female confidence: "Rebel Girl".

Lala Lala's album is one of the highlights of this year. She's (supposedly) playing at Vera Groningen on February 23rd, and at the Paradiso on February 25th. Her song “Destroyer” reminds me of Pavement – in a good way.

The Pull of Autumn represents everything that's terrible about the music of 2018.

I can't in recent memory remember having disagreed so totally as with this album review of Boston band The Pull of Autumn. To my ears, it's a bland and hopelessly boring affair that reminds me of the worst of 80's pompous prog-rock. To DOA's ears, it's supposedly “what might be one of 2018’s most memorable albums”.

Never thought I'd be so happy recovering my stupid guitar plucking in Voice Memos after a phone reset.

In similar news, Low's new album is out to glowing reviews. I have to admit I'm more curious that I thought I would be – they somehow lost me in the mid-'00s where none of their albums following “Trust” truly resonated with me.

Some of my longer posts from a while back are here. A few concert reviews are here.

After a few years in limbo, The Decemberists released an unexpectedly good album this year. Colin Meloy breaks down standout song "Once In My Life" on Song Exploder.