• 6 Albums Intended To Be The Artist's Last: R.E.M., Jay-Z, and more

    It's not very often that an artist or band can plan its final album. Most of the time, the band unexpectedly splits, or someone unexpectedly passes away, turning its most recent album into its last, even if it wasn't meant to be. However, these six albums were actually recorded with the intention of being the artist's last. Whether or not the artist actually kept this promise, though, is another story.
  • Ranking The 12 Songs From 'Born In The U.S.A.'

    Today is the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Bruce Springsteen's classic Born in the U.S.A., an album that sold over 30 million copies worldwide and spawned seven Top 10 singles (an all-time record tied with Michael Jackson's Thriller and Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814). To celebrate its anniversary, here's my ranking of the album's 12 songs, from weakest to best.
  • 6 Artists Who Have Released Album Trilogies: David Bowie, Green Day, and more

    For most rock musicians, the full-length album is the highest artistic statement in the medium, the equivalent of a novel for a writer, or a feature-length film for a director. Just like novels and films, specific albums within an artist's catalogue are sometimes designed as trilogies, with certain musical and lyrical themes. Here are six artists who have released album trilogies.
  • 4 Reasons Why Jack White Shouldn't Worry About The Black Keys

    In a recent (and now infamous) interview for Rolling Stone, Jack White digs deeper into his rivalry with Ohio blues-rock duo the Black Keys, whom he believes ripped off the White Stripes. Though it's obvious to everyone that the two bands are very similar, I don't think Jack White should be worrying about it as much as he seems to be. Here's why...