Christine and the Queens perform at Fox Theater in Oakland on Oct. 26, 2018. Photo: Shawn Robbins. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not Christmas. I’m talking end–of–the–year list season. While I enjoyed RIFF editor Max Heilman’s list, it left  a strong metallic taste in my mouth.…

Blood Orange Kyle Kohner’s top 100 list countdown continues with numbers 75 through 51. Catch up with part one first and then dive in. 75. “This Is America” – Childish Gambino Inciting reactionary essays and theorized debates, Childish Gambino creates a piece of music that transcends a contagious chorus.…

Experimental folk artist and cellist extraordinaire Arthur Russell may be one of the greatest underground musicians of his day. In spite of releasing only one traditional non-collaborative studio album, World of Echo (he died in 1992), Russell was one of the most hardworking and prolific artists of his time, with…