Queens of the Stone Age Played Long Game with ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’
Circumstances surrounding Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’ forced the band to transition and double down on their iconic brand of alternative rock.
Music Features
Ellen McIlwaine Was a Goddess Ahead of Her Time
Director Alfonso Maiorana talks about music pioneer Ellen McIlwaine, who raised the power and profile of female musicians, and how she achieved her hard-earned “goddess” status.
Cryogeyser’s Shawn Marom Goes Time Traveling
Alt-rocker Shawn Marom discusses Cryogeyser’s career-peak new record, which is a magical, heartfelt journey through grief and growth.
The 100 Best Alternative Songs of the 1990s
The best alternative songs of the 1990s highlight the “golden age” of indie/alternative rock. Britpop, grunge, art rock, shoegaze, and more came to the fore.
Caylee Hammack’s Country Comeback Is Captivating
Releasing her first album since 2020, country crooner Caylee Hammack drew on plenty of experiences with heartache. So much that she decided to write a novel.
Bob Mould’s Righteous Anger and Hope for the Future
Alternative rock legend Bob Mould returns with a very timely, politically-minded album, Here We Go Crazy, a spring tour, and chats about his musical work.
The 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2005
Jump back 20 years, listen to the best jazz albums of 2005, and hear the state of the art. It was an era of brilliant veterans and bold, new innovators.
MetalMatters: The Best Metal Albums of February 2025
In February’s best metal, Pissgrave produce laser-focus disgust, Retromorphosis dazzle with technical prowess and Sleep Paralysis blur the lines between genres.
Lollapalooza Is an Artifact That Will Never Be Replicated
Lollapalooza dragged alternative culture into the sunlight, created a safe space with Mötley Crüe-level hedonism, and became an artifact that will never be replicated.
Music/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Lists/Music Features/Pop Past/PopMatters Picks/The Best Music of 2005
The 10 Best Electronic Albums of 2005
Jump back 20 years, listen to the best electronic albums of 2005, and hear the era’s state of the genre’s art. It was a highly innovative and influential time.
How One Innovative LP Carved a Dusty Trail to Alternative Country
Don’t Shoot collected country tracks by Los Angeles rockers in the mid-1980s. Cutting edge then, it presents a blueprint for today’s alternative country.
Souled American’s Slow Resurrection
Souled American’s Rise Above It offers slow guitar notes chiefly to hear them decay in the abundant silent space of time and distance.