Andrew WK gave everyone the permission to party hard. Yes, even to Cat Stevens. This week Spotify rolled out its annual Year in Review app, for subscribers to see what their top songs and artists of 2019 were. This year, since 2020 is right around the corner, they stretched…

Peter Hook and the Light perform at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Nov. 8, 2019. Photos: Martin Lacey. SAN FRANCISCO — Since 2010, Peter Hook has been bringing New Order and Joy Division albums back to life by playing them in their entirety on tour with his band…

Peter Hook performs at Royal Albert Hall in London on Sept. 29, 2018. Courtesy Jody Hartley. The warm laugh from the other end of the phone line seems out of character for Peter Hook. As the bassist for minimalist and melancholy English band Joy Division, and then synth-pop pioneers…

In Paul Simon’s 1980 film One Trick Pony, a diminutive performer has just left the stage after pouring his heart into sweet songs of longing with complex jazz chords to a lukewarm reception from the audience. He stands at the side of the stage as the B-52s launch into the…

Do you recognize these skinny boys? I really, really wanted to include “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in the 1983 top 5 song list. You know the “so bad it’s good” genre of movies? Stuff like Plan 9 From Outer Space and Manos: The Hands of Fate? “Total Eclipse of the…

When listening to New Order’s new live album, NOMC15, it’s phenomenal to think that most of the band has been playing together for more than 40 years. The reminders come in the tightly orchestrated introductions and delicate details layered under the synth and guitars. NOMC15 New Order May 26…

Alex Frankel of Holy Ghost! was a difficult musician to interview because rather than committing to definitive answers to my questions, he answered in shades of gray. This led me to ask for clarifications, and ask the questions in different ways. Not a knock on Frankel, of course, but…