bands
Rock n' roll, boy bands, jazz trios, and more; the greats, newbies, and forgotten icons who create our favorite groups.
The Quiet That Follows the Applause
I didn’t cry at the end of Better Call Saul. I cried three days later, while washing dishes. The water was hot, the sponge worn thin, and suddenly—without warning—I saw Kim Wexler’s hands again. Not in the courtroom. Not in the finale. But in that tiny Albuquerque office, adjusting the blinds just so, trying to control one small thing in a world spinning out of her grasp.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
The Song That Brought Him Back
After my mother passed, grief settled into our home like winter fog—thick, gray, and impossible to ignore. He stopped whistling while fixing the sink. Stopped tapping his boot to the oldies station. Even his laugh, once so loud it startled the dogs, vanished into a silence so heavy it filled every room. For two years, he moved through life like a man walking in someone else’s shoes. So when he said, voice barely above a whisper, “Let’s go south for New Year’s,” I didn’t ask why. I just booked the tickets.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
Tyla’s Chart-Topping Rise
Introduction When South African singer Tyla released her self-titled debut album in late 2023, few predicted it would ignite a global movement. But by 2025, her name was everywhere: on Billboard charts, Grammy stages, and playlists from Lagos to Los Angeles. Fueled by her breakout hit “Water”—a seductive fusion of amapiano, R&B, and pop—Tyla didn’t just enter the global music scene; she reshaped it.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
Grooves That Never Fade: The Essential Bands of 70s Funk, Soul & R&B
I am a crazy music freak. At the peak of my vinyl obsession, I owned somewhere around 15,000 to 20,000 albums and 10,000 to 13,000 singles (45s). That was a mountain of music. Later came CDs, and I ended up with another mountain — around 12,000 to 14,000.
By Rick Henry Christopher about a month ago in Beat
Richard Smallwood
Introduction In recent months, false rumors have spread online with alarming speed: searches like “gospel singer Richard Smallwood died”, “Richard Smallwood passed away”, and “Richard Smallwood cause of death” have surged—despite having no basis in truth.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
Some Favourite Record Labels II
Introduction I thought I would put together some songs from my favourite record labels. Although my tastes tend to be rock-based, I am very eclectic and sometimes things do cross over. I love soul, classical, folk, but I am not enamoured by happy techno, the stuff that comes from commercialised talent shows, and Eurovision, although there are obvious exceptions.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred about a month ago in Beat
Did All Four Beatles Smoke Cigarettes?
Much has been made of Bob Dylan introducing the Beatles to the wonders of marijuana on August 28, 1964. After experiencing the mind-opening effects of THC, Paul said that he was “thinking for the first time, really thinking.”
By Kenny Minkerabout a month ago in Beat
11 Indie Pop Songs That Dazzled the 2000s
After the grunge and nihilism of the 90s, the 2000s brought a wave of hopefulness with an edgy twist. People wanted bright colors, snarky humor and dance-pop anthems, and the music industry responded with catchy indie tunes that made people feel unique without diving too far into the counterculture. If you feel nostalgic for this time, these 11 tracks will take you back to the time when "'Rawr' means 'I love you' in dinosaur" was peak hilarity among junior high students.
By Kaitlin Shanksabout a month ago in Beat
Rock The Menorah! 20 Rock Stars Who Are Jewish . Top Story - December 2025.
Judaism has a rich musical history and tradition, so it shouldn't be a surprise that some of the most predominant rock stars in history are Jewish. In Jewish culture, music is used to celebrate, to reflect, and share scripture and prayer.
By Jenika Enoch2 months ago in Beat
10 Emotionally Devastating Songs That You'll Never Forget
Have you ever been on the verge of tears and needed to listen to a sad song to unleash the waterworks? I've had moods like that, but corny, sentimental songs don't do it for me. Instead, I listen to the tracks on this list when I need to release some bottled-up emotions. These songs capture the depths of human grief without being cheesy--and they're also great tracks on top of that, so they deserve a spot on your regular playlists.
By Kaitlin Shanks2 months ago in Beat
Thirteen Ways To Kill A Poet
Introduction This was getting a few hits on my blog, and I like the title, but I can't remember where I got it from. Incidentally, I was listening to "Selling England By The Pound" today and thought I might write something inspired by it. Then I found this, which has a lot of what I was going to say, so I thought I would share it with a few of the songs from the album, but you already have one.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred - EBA2 months ago in Beat
