After the epic arena-rock grandeur of “Ok Computer,” Radiohead retreated to a world of electronic experimentation and isolation with the equally brilliant “Kid A.”   After the Beatles defined psychedelic pop with their masterwork “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” their next full-length album was a return to their rawest possible elements, the anti-Pepper, even lacking in color ... [Read]

Former Culture Club singer, solo artist and icon Boy George turns 52 today.  So what better way to mark the occasion than take a look some of the best moments from his long and successful career?   Culture Club – “Miss Me Blind” Boy George and his band had a string a major hits in America and around the world ... [Read]

As we lurch inexorably towards the mid-year point of 2013 (can it truly have gone by so quickly??) it’s time to look back at some of the best albums released this year thus far.  It’s been a great year for music already, and it was hard to narrow it down to 5, but these would be my picks so far ... [Read]

June, 1983 – 30 years ago – Irene Cara was at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart with her mega hit movie theme song “Flashdance… What a Feelin’”, which was co-written and produced by the one and only Giorgio Moroder (who also features prominently on this week’s current #1 album by Daft Punk, “Random Access Memories”).  Irene ... [Read]

Earlier this week Chris Gerard created a strong list of what he called "10 Essential Pride Tracks," a grab bag of prideful anthems you should have in your collection.  What you'll find here is a completely different kind of grab bag: Mostly up-to-the-minute pop or rock songs by artists who will be performing this Sunday, June 9, at the Capital Pride ... [Read]

His Royal Badness turns 55 on Friday, June 7.  In celebration, we take a look back at his career and examine some of his lesser-known gems.  Everybody knows his long list of classics:  “When Doves Cry,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Kiss,” “Purple Rain” to name just a very few, as well as his 2nd tier of hits like “Thieves in the ... [Read]

British electronic duo Hot Chip follow-up their excellent 2012 album "In Our Heads" with a new single, "Dark and Stormy," which is currently available to view on YouTube and will be released via digital download on July 23.  It's a lush, atmospheric mid-tempo track, with perhaps a fuller production than much of the stripped down vibe of "In Our Heads". ... [Read]

Only a few weeks after releasing the high-energy mostly-instrumental “Axis”, the first single from the Pet Shop Boys’ eagerly awaited new album “Electric”, the legendary duo has unleashed another track this week, and it’s another killer.  “Vocal” is the second single to be issued, and offers another tantalizing glimpse at the Stuart Price-produced album due to be released in ... [Read]

New York City-based indie-rock trio The Lost Patrol is back with their latest album, “Driven”, and it doesn’t disappoint. This is late-night listening at its best. Mollie Israel’s haunting and gorgeous vocals float over a dense backdrop of swirling guitars and keyboards, lush and ethereal but with an edge. Somebody should get David Lynch or Quentin Tarantino on the ... [Read]

If you're looking for something to do tonight and you can't wait until this Sunday, June 9, to hear this week's Metro Weekly cover ladies Icona Pop at the Capital Pride Festival, U Street Music Hall has essentially the next best thing. British singer-songwriter Charli XCX -- born Charli Aitchison -- will perform at 8:30 p.m. at the subterreanean venue ... [Read]

It’s Capital Pride week in D.C. once again. A time for reflection on the accomplishments of the past year, to celebrate who we are, revel in our triumphs, commiserate our struggles, and contemplate all of those who gave so much to put our community where we now find ourselves: watching progress moving forward faster than we ever could have imagined, ... [Read]

Today the Swedish dance-pop duo Icona Pop, whose irresistible Top 10 hit “I Don’t Care (I Love It)” has now reached ubiquity, released new song “Girlfriend.” It’s a teaser of what’s to come on the duo’s debut album, due later this summer, and follows up last fall’s EP Iconic. The Icona Popsters, Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt, also announced today ... [Read]

You may not have read about it in the New York Times -- the Gray Lady has been disquietingly silent on the matter -- but earlier this month the world lost a music industry and gay clublife legend. Peter Rauhofer, a native of Austria but most associated with his adopted hometown of New York City, died May 7 of brain ... [Read]

Barbra Streisand's new album Release Me drops on Tuesday, Oct. 9. The music video from "I Think It's Going to Rain Today," is available to watch on Vimeo now. Barbra Streisand "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" from Columbia Records on Vimeo. ... [Read]

The electronic duo Orbital -- Paul and Paul Hartnoll -- is coming to the states next week to several west coast dates. They'll be playing major festivals, namely Nocturnal Wonderland, Beyond Wonderland, and Decibel Festival as well as dates in Vancouver and Portland. Orbital's latest album is Wonky, their first in eight years. Pitchfork said of the album, "Thank whatever ... [Read]