Stephen Thomas Erlewine
@sterlewine.bsky.social
Music writer and journalist, a founding editor of Allmusic now freelancer for hire. Bylines at Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Mojo Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and more. Subscribe to my Newsletter: sterlewine.substack.com
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Ever the Optimist, the lovely new album by the Trashcan Sinatras that now seems achingly poignant after the unexpected death of their rhythm guitarist John Douglas this week.
Trashcan Sinatras: Ever the Optimist
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
In observance of what would've been Adam Yauch’s 62nd birthday, the first long article I wrote about these guys (in the Boston Phoenix), preceding an even longer and much more widely read piece I did (for Creem) by a few months. They weren’t quite famous yet. But I had a feeling they soon would be.
Beastie Boys review, 1987
Not my most famous piece about the band.
chuckeddy.substack.com
In many ways it could be regarded as the Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper".
WHAT A FUCKING RECORD@whatafuckingrecord.bsky.social · 20h ago60
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Ever the Optimist, the lovely new album by the Trashcan Sinatras that now seems achingly poignant after the unexpected death of their rhythm guitarist John Douglas this week.
Trashcan Sinatras: Ever the Optimist
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
So many gems in this expanded edition of 12GCG. For me the highlight is finally getting the polished version of their Stones' cover, Fool To Cry.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine@sterlewine.bsky.social · 5d agoOver at @pitchfork.com, I review the 30th anniversary Deluxe Edition of one of my favorite albums: Ween’s 12 Golden Country Greats. Plenty of great music on the two bonus discs, including “I’ve Got No Darkside,” my favorite unreleased Ween song.
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review the 30th anniversary Deluxe Edition of one of my favorite albums: Ween’s 12 Golden Country Greats. Plenty of great music on the two bonus discs, including “I’ve Got No Darkside,” my favorite unreleased Ween song.
Ween: 12 Golden Country Greats (Deluxe Edition)
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
A gifted actor and VERY nice man (and Bronx neighbor!) who gave me so many good tidbits for the Gandolfini book. RIP deadline.com/2026/08/vinc...
Vincent Pastore Dies: 'The Sopranos' Star Was 80
Vincent Pastore, known for playing mobsters in film and TV, most notably Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's The Sopranos, has died. He was 80.
deadline.com
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review the 30th anniversary Deluxe Edition of one of my favorite albums: Ween’s 12 Golden Country Greats. Plenty of great music on the two bonus discs, including “I’ve Got No Darkside,” my favorite unreleased Ween song.
Ween: 12 Golden Country Greats (Deluxe Edition)
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
Jesus died for somebody's sins...but just in case
Rich Raho@richraho.bsky.social · 5d agoPope Leo received singer and songwriter Patti Smith in private audience this morning. The Pope and Smith are both Chicago natives. She was accompanied by @antoniospadaro.bsky.social, undersecretary for the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education.
The Strokes make an album for the age of AI with Reality Awaits. My review of the AutoTune-slathered record:
The Strokes, Reality Awaits
The Strokes make an album for the age of AI.
sterlewine.substack.com
The Strokes make an album for the age of AI with Reality Awaits. My review of the AutoTune-slathered record:
The Strokes, Reality Awaits
The Strokes make an album for the age of AI.
sterlewine.substack.com
Jack White carries through on the no-nonsense No Name with the bitter, invigorating Frozen Charlotte. My review:
Jack White, Frozen Charlotte
Jack White carries through on the no-nonsense No Name with the bitter, invigorating Frozen Charlotte.
sterlewine.substack.com
Jack White carries through on the no-nonsense No Name with the bitter, invigorating Frozen Charlotte. My review:
Jack White, Frozen Charlotte
Jack White carries through on the no-nonsense No Name with the bitter, invigorating Frozen Charlotte.
sterlewine.substack.com
"I deserve retirement" is such a strong statement here. Touring is work. Performing is work. Musicians are workers.
Will Hermes@willhermes.bsky.social · 2w agoVery inspiring to speak w/ Linton Kwesi Johnson, a great hero of mine. Topics: The wordless LP he just finished with wingman Dennis Bovell. The artistic renaissance among Britons of West African heritage. How this moment in history reminds him of the '60s, and why he's optimistic about the future.
Madonna delivers Confessions II, an assured sequel that oddly plays like a concept album in the classic rock sense. My review:
Madonna, Confessions II
Madonna returns to the dance floor for Confessions II, an assured sequel that oddly plays like a concept album in the classic rock sense.
sterlewine.substack.com
Anthony Newley is one of those strange, hidden-in-plain-sight figures like Lee Hazlewood or Rod McKuen--massively successful, then ignored and/or misunderstood for decades. "The Strange World of Gurney Slade" was at least three or four decades ahead of its time. Now that it's back, don't miss it.
Ned Raggett@nedraggett.bsky.social · 2w agoExtremely pleased to see that the UK-based boutique TV/film Blu-ray firm @networkonair.bsky.social is officially back (under new management, in essence, after shutting down a couple of years ago). The webstore is back up and that mean you can get this amazing, crucial release once more.
Madonna delivers Confessions II, an assured sequel that oddly plays like a concept album in the classic rock sense. My review:
Madonna, Confessions II
Madonna returns to the dance floor for Confessions II, an assured sequel that oddly plays like a concept album in the classic rock sense.
sterlewine.substack.com
a perfect example of a musician who so many people have heard play (if not Pink Panther, then "Peter Gunn" or "Rockin' Robin"), but didn't know his name. a studio legend: www.nytimes.com/2026/07/21/a...
Plas Johnson, Saxophonist Behind ‘The Pink Panther,’ Dies at 94 (Gift Article)
His recording for the theme song, written by Henry Mancini, included a solo improvised in the studio. He also backed Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.
nytimes.com
A quick primer on the last decade-plus weirdness around Brad Paisley. 👇
Country Universe@countryuniverse.net · 2w agoAfter his album Wheelhouse dropped-- launching a whole lot of discourse around the (very bad, very misguided) "Accidental Racist"-- he went from someone whose Normie Southern Liberal stances Music Row would put up with to someone they were looking to sideline as out of step w their current drift.
The five year old hearing Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Up Against the Wall, Red Neck Mother” on the radio: “Oh yeah!! I love this song!!” (Note: she’s never heard the song before)
My review of Foreign Tongues, the loosest, liveliest Rolling Stones album since Dirty Work.
The Rolling Stones, Foreign Tongues
The bands loosest, liveliest album since...Dirty Work?
sterlewine.substack.com
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review YEARNALISM, the new album from the excellent neo-soul singer Baby Rose.
Baby Rose: YEARNALISM
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
My review of Foreign Tongues, the loosest, liveliest Rolling Stones album since Dirty Work.
The Rolling Stones, Foreign Tongues
The bands loosest, liveliest album since...Dirty Work?
sterlewine.substack.com
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review YEARNALISM, the new album from the excellent neo-soul singer Baby Rose.
Baby Rose: YEARNALISM
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
RIP Pat Oliphant, for whom all US presidents were awful, just in varying degrees
Always loved this Dr. Feelgood line-up. Two plain-clothes coppers (bass and drums) and two absolute psychos (guitar, vox) out on parole.
Birmingham 81@birmingham81.bsky.social · 3w agoRemembering Wilko Johnson on his birthday. Here are Dr Feelgood performing Roxette on the OGWT in 1975
