Black Sky Thinking

Why The World Doesn’t Need New Nu Metal

As the the terrifying prospect of a nu metal revival darkens the horizon, Dayal Patterson takes a look back at the genre and explains why it should be stopped at all cost

Why Fucked Up Show Punk Rock Is In Rude Health, By John Robb

Suave and piratical punk rocker John Robb casts the goat's entrails across the linoleum and foresees a genre reborn

Drinking In Jakarta: Dodging. Expat Drool In Search Of Refreshment

Our man in Indonesia discovers the seedier side of expat life as he heads into the Jakarta night to satisfy his bibulous urges

And You Will Know Us By Our Excellent New Album: Trail Of Dead Rock

Don't like Trail of Dead? Fuck you buddy! is Stephen Burkett's considered response.

Give Him A Bono And He’ll Gnaw It. Mr Agreeable Reviews U2

Are Chrome Hoof The Best Live Band In The UK In 2009?

Live, the mighty Chrome Hoof follow in the footsteps of Parliament, Funkadelic and David Bowie, says Luke Turner. But in these strangely conservative times, are they literally too good for the mainstream?

A Valentine’s Day Letters Special From Uncle Agony Aidan Moffat

Aidan Moffat might have a new album out this week, but that hasn't prevented him from finding time to pop to the garage for a 99p rose and a lurid pink card, and settling down to fix your Valentine's vexations

Part One: The Quietus’ Tropical Correspondent On Walking In Jakarta

The Quietus' man in Indonesia begins a new regular column explaining why, on the streets of Jakarta, people are less common than floods and randy tomcats

Careful With That Axe: Pink Floyd Reappraised, By Taylor Parkes

Taylor Parkes goes behind The Wall to find Pink Floyd's post-Syd Barrett greatness in a series of live albums that showcase them at their inventive, truly progressive best

Bruce Springsteen: The Best Of The Boss For One Side Of A C90

Everyone loves Bruce Springsteen. It's just not that everyone realises that they love Bruce Springsteen yet. Let David McNamee don his blue collar and explain his choices and choose the most interesting Boss covers.

Bruce Springsteen Attacks Quietus Scribe With Soda At Giants Stadium

Me, Balls, and The Boss. As Bruce Springsteen limbers up for this weekend's Super Bowl XLIII, Mark Eglinton remembers a soggy meeting with his idol at an American Football game

Beastie Boys: Selecting The Best For One Side Of A C90

In honour of the reissue of Paul's Boutique Toby Cook creates a C90 mix tape of Beasties tracks that ignores the organic funk, the hardcore punk and the singles in favour of hip hop jams

Mr Agreeable: Drinking Outside The Box

Why Slumdog Millionaire Is The Obama Of Oscar Politics

The nominations are in and there are no real surprises. Dave Moats compares this year's race to the American election and hopes that _Slumdog Millionaire_ is this year's Obama.

Does Free Music Service Spotify Offer Hope For The Future?

Is record label-backed music streaming service Spotify the best response yet to the issue of illegal filesharing?

The Best Of The BBC Radiophonic Workshop On One Side Of A C90

David McNamee compiles a Quietus mixtape of choice selections from the BBC Radiophonic Archive

Jeremy Allen Recalls How Drinking With Saxon Put Him On A Putney Grave

Jeremy Allen remembers a night outdrinking Lemmy from Motorhead with Brit metal loons Saxon. He nearly reformed Genesis, but soon realised he needed to reform himself.

Uncle Agony Aidan Moffat Returns To Mend Your Wounded Hearts & Privates

New Year is traditionally a time for relationship strife and itches in the nethers from unfortunate encounters after December's office party season. Thank goodness Aidan Moffat is back to sort you all out

Florence And The Machine And The Desperation Of The Annual Tipster Orgy

Florence And The Machine? A tip for 2009? Luke Turner has a tip for the A&R department: don't get off a moving bus.

Pavement: Selecting The Best For One Side Of A C90

David McNamee trawls his dusty racks for gems by American indie overlords Pavement to make up a compilation for one side of a cassette.

Guns N’Roses and Chinese Democracy

Dayal Patterson suggests that in the inevitable rush to castigate Chinese Democracy, critics may have missed something: a pretty good album.

(Business) Parklife: Blur’s Reformation Is Part Of A Depressing Corporate Trend

As Live Nation's tills ring, Tim Burrows asks if the constant trend for reformations isn't a corporate ploy to keep the music fan in dumb adolescence

Grace Under Fire: Jeff Buckley Fans Should Stop Mithering About Leonard Cohen Cover

Outraged fans of the late California troubador are hatching a plot to scupper the _X Factor_ winner's bid for #1 - but maybe they should stop mewling like their hero, says Alex Denney

Hey Student! The Quietus Praises The Learners

For those about to learn - John Doran salutes you.

Britney Spears: The Perfect Pop Star For Our Times?

With the head-shaving craziness behind her, the stage is set for Britney Spears' triumphant return. Is she the perfect pop star for our time, asks Charles Ubaghs

One Side Of A C90 From Synth Pop Pioneer Gary Numan

David McNamee trawls his crate of Numan records to select ten delicacies to fit on one side of a 90 minute cassette

Trick Trick’s Homophobia Has Crossed The Line

Writer and OutRage! campaigner Brett Lock asks would we be as willing to ignore Trick Trick's vile hatefulness if he were a racist. It is, needless to say, a rhetorical question.

Net Result: Why Blog Rock Is Finally On The Make

2008 is the year blog bands threw their homework into the fire, put their dancing shoes on and went out into the big wide world. But what did everyone else think?

The Unusual Sensation Of Feeling Sorry For The US Republican Party

Is The Daily Show America’s Saviour?

Big Ben Myers casts his jaded eye over coverage of the US presidential elections and finds only The Daily Show comes up smelling of roses.

Taking The Peth: Rhys Ifans vs. Paddy Considine As Rock ‘N’ Roll Singers

Welsh "shagger" Rhys Ifans of The Peth and "workman like" Midlands bloke Paddy Considine of Riding The Low go head to head in our one hundred percent spurious battle of the bands. (Which was tested with good humour by Jeremy Allen.)

The Cure: Selecting The Best For One Side Of A C90

To celebrate the release of their 13th album, permanently teenage Cure fan John Doran recommends a primer to get you in the mood for crimping and back combing, culled solely from album tracks.