The year 1991 marked a significant change in the sound of pop music. The days of bubblegum (Debbie Gibson, Rick Astley, New Kids On The Block) and hair metal (Poison, Warrant, Motley Crue) were suddenly numbered as alternative rock and grunge culture bubbled up to the surface and heavily infiltrated the mainstream. Perhaps sensing the turning tide, veteran acts like U2 and Michael Jackson headed in new directions, musically. Meanwhile, R&B was all about new jack swing, Motownphilly and a whistle-register songbird named Mariah. Flip through our gallery to revisit 10 classic albums that celebrate their 20th anniversaries this year. More »
OK, this brand-new feature might be one that will run “every so often” more than “weekly,” but who better to kick it off: Bill Drummond of the legendary KLF will be reading from his new book 17 in London this Thursday. (Theoretically, anyway.)
Idolator has already reported on Utah Saints’ recent run up the British Charts, but as far as I’m concerned, there’s no musical micro-genre more welcome for a comeback than Britain’s dance music of the early ’90s. I have a brightly colored striped shirt and a pacifier just sitting in box waiting to be used!
A good idea and a frustrating one! Because this Wednesday will be the third “No Music Day,” as masterminded by the KLF’s Bill Drummond, where he encourages people to get off the musical pipe by shutting off their stereos and otherwise avoiding it the best they can. And though in the past it’s seemed like the only way to pull off No Music Day would be to seal yourself up in a soundproof room for 24 hours with a good book and a bottle of scotch, the event finally has “practical consequences” in 2007, at least for listeners in parts of the U.K.
Bidding is currently at £203 ($401). What better shirt to wear while perusing The Manual on a hot summer day? More »
KLF founder Bill Drummond is suffering from clogged ears, so he’s called tomorrow–and every Nov. 21 following–No Music Day, where people can shut themselves off to all recorded sound. More »