Happy Easter! Overtly religious music aside, there are no Easter songs. My theory is that this is because Easter is, if you look at it objectively without the lenses of theology or tradition, the most confusing of holidays. For instance while Jesus’ birthday is Dec. 25, his re-birthday is…

It’s almost 2020. We’re living in an era when many of science fiction’s classics are supposed to take place. As a science fiction writer and a scholar who studies the genre, I’m acutely aware that we are not yet living in the stainless steel techno-utopia we were promised. Where’s…

Welcome to 1986! The music scene is shifting yet again. Hip-hop is becoming popular. Metal is getting harder. And hair rock is about to reach its zenith. I was tempted to make this another double-length entry since the longlist has 21 songs on it, but really I just wanted…

Courtesy Da PugletPugs The one day a year when binge drinking is socially acceptable and every asshole with a Guinness in their hand is suddenly one-sixteenth Irish is upon us again. The RIFF team would be remiss in our duties if we did not supply you, our dear readers, with a soundtrack for…

Adam Yauch during “Awesome; I Fuckin’ Shot That!” New York City Premiere at Loew’s 34th Street Theater in New York City. Photo by J. Kempin/FilmMagic. ADAM YAUCH 1964-2012. Musician, rapper, activist and director Adam “MCA” Yauch, founding member of Beastie Boys and also of the Milarepa Foundation that produced the…