Stephen Thomas Erlewine
@sterlewine.bsky.social
Music writer and journalist, a founding editor of Allmusic now freelancer for hire. Bylines at Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Mojo Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and more. Subscribe to my Newsletter: sterlewine.substack.com
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Absolutely loved this from @sterlewine.bsky.social.
In the latest installment in a series I’m doing with my friend @conradflynn.bsky.social about the history of rock and the occult, tentatively titled Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and his Robert Fripp-produced album Sacred Songs.
Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and the Occult
“Mind over matter, the beauty is there, but a beast is in the heart”
sterlewine.substack.com
September 19, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Absolutely loved this from @sterlewine.bsky.social.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
In the latest installment in a series I’m doing with my friend @conradflynn.bsky.social about the history of rock and the occult, tentatively titled Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and his Robert Fripp-produced album Sacred Songs.
Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and the Occult
“Mind over matter, the beauty is there, but a beast is in the heart”
sterlewine.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 9:31 PM
In the latest installment in a series I’m doing with my friend @conradflynn.bsky.social about the history of rock and the occult, tentatively titled Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and his Robert Fripp-produced album Sacred Songs.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
When I did a phoner with Daryl to promote the album, I asked him about the statement etched in the end groove -- "New Music Is Not a Style, It is a Quality." He didn't know it was there!
September 19, 2026 at 12:16 AM
When I did a phoner with Daryl to promote the album, I asked him about the statement etched in the end groove -- "New Music Is Not a Style, It is a Quality." He didn't know it was there!
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
One of my favourite records brilliantly dissected
In the latest installment in a series I’m doing with my friend @conradflynn.bsky.social about the history of rock and the occult, tentatively titled Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and his Robert Fripp-produced album Sacred Songs.
Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and the Occult
“Mind over matter, the beauty is there, but a beast is in the heart”
sterlewine.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 10:25 PM
One of my favourite records brilliantly dissected
In the latest installment in a series I’m doing with my friend @conradflynn.bsky.social about the history of rock and the occult, tentatively titled Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and his Robert Fripp-produced album Sacred Songs.
Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and the Occult
“Mind over matter, the beauty is there, but a beast is in the heart”
sterlewine.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 9:31 PM
In the latest installment in a series I’m doing with my friend @conradflynn.bsky.social about the history of rock and the occult, tentatively titled Running with the Devil: Daryl Hall and his Robert Fripp-produced album Sacred Songs.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Neil Young sounds at peace on Second Song, his second album with the Chrome Hearts. My review is in my latest newsletter:
Neil Young & the Chrome Hearts, Second Song
Neil Young sounds at peace on a quiet, reflective set with the Chrome Hearrts
sterlewine.substack.com
September 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Neil Young sounds at peace on Second Song, his second album with the Chrome Hearts. My review is in my latest newsletter:
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
My review of Beck's Ride Lonesome, an album where heartache feels as comforting as a fireside chat.
Beck, Ride Lonesome
Beck is back on the heartbreak beat on an album that makes a dark night of the soul feel as comforting as a fireside chat.
sterlewine.substack.com
September 17, 2026 at 10:52 PM
My review of Beck's Ride Lonesome, an album where heartache feels as comforting as a fireside chat.
My review of Beck's Ride Lonesome, an album where heartache feels as comforting as a fireside chat.
Beck, Ride Lonesome
Beck is back on the heartbreak beat on an album that makes a dark night of the soul feel as comforting as a fireside chat.
sterlewine.substack.com
September 17, 2026 at 10:52 PM
My review of Beck's Ride Lonesome, an album where heartache feels as comforting as a fireside chat.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Hope Is The Thing With Feathers, the new album from Rhiannon Giddens.
Rhiannon Giddens: Hope Is the Thing With Feathers
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review if the album.
pitchfork.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Hope Is The Thing With Feathers, the new album from Rhiannon Giddens.
Agreed, although I'm partial to Randy Vanwarmer's power pop rendition from a couple of years later.
September 17, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Agreed, although I'm partial to Randy Vanwarmer's power pop rendition from a couple of years later.
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Hope Is The Thing With Feathers, the new album from Rhiannon Giddens.
Rhiannon Giddens: Hope Is the Thing With Feathers
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review if the album.
pitchfork.com
September 17, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Hope Is The Thing With Feathers, the new album from Rhiannon Giddens.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
farewell to peter max, who brought psychedelia into the mainstream & maybe subsequently was not really remembered among the hep '60s artists. but i kinda love his stuff & how elemental & even elegant it feels now.
September 17, 2026 at 1:30 AM
farewell to peter max, who brought psychedelia into the mainstream & maybe subsequently was not really remembered among the hep '60s artists. but i kinda love his stuff & how elemental & even elegant it feels now.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
The PRETENDERS doc is very conventional but sometimes you have to practice self-care in the middle of a film fest and just spend two hours watching, listening to and thinking about the Pretenders. I did appreciate that the movie basically only covers the band's first three album -- the greats.
September 16, 2026 at 3:02 AM
The PRETENDERS doc is very conventional but sometimes you have to practice self-care in the middle of a film fest and just spend two hours watching, listening to and thinking about the Pretenders. I did appreciate that the movie basically only covers the band's first three album -- the greats.
Neil Young sounds at peace on Second Song, his second album with the Chrome Hearts. My review is in my latest newsletter:
Neil Young & the Chrome Hearts, Second Song
Neil Young sounds at peace on a quiet, reflective set with the Chrome Hearrts
sterlewine.substack.com
September 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Neil Young sounds at peace on Second Song, his second album with the Chrome Hearts. My review is in my latest newsletter:
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
I remember doing a panel with the Exciters once and that is indeed what they remembered warmly 50 years on from their tour opening for the Beatles - being protected from awful Jim Crow venue rules on tour together in the American South
You can't blame Ed Sheeran for caving in to American stadium owners I suppose. I mean, take these guys in the 60s, they refused to play to racially-segregated audiences in stadiums in the southern states of the USA and who remembers them now?
The Beatles banned segregated audiences, contract shows
The Beatles refused to play to segregated audiences in the US, a contract for one of the group's concerts shows.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 15, 2026 at 5:04 PM
I remember doing a panel with the Exciters once and that is indeed what they remembered warmly 50 years on from their tour opening for the Beatles - being protected from awful Jim Crow venue rules on tour together in the American South
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
My latest newsletter: reviews of the Cramps as produced by Alex Chilton, Buddy Miller's first solo album in ages, the new LP by the Tubs, and Eli "Paperboy" Reed as produced by Swamp Dogg.
Reviews: The Cramps, Buddy Miller, The Tubs, Eli “Paperboy” Reed
Plus some odds and ends, including four previously unreleased Pixies songs.
sterlewine.substack.com
September 11, 2026 at 8:13 PM
My latest newsletter: reviews of the Cramps as produced by Alex Chilton, Buddy Miller's first solo album in ages, the new LP by the Tubs, and Eli "Paperboy" Reed as produced by Swamp Dogg.
My latest newsletter: reviews of the Cramps as produced by Alex Chilton, Buddy Miller's first solo album in ages, the new LP by the Tubs, and Eli "Paperboy" Reed as produced by Swamp Dogg.
Reviews: The Cramps, Buddy Miller, The Tubs, Eli “Paperboy” Reed
Plus some odds and ends, including four previously unreleased Pixies songs.
sterlewine.substack.com
September 11, 2026 at 8:13 PM
My latest newsletter: reviews of the Cramps as produced by Alex Chilton, Buddy Miller's first solo album in ages, the new LP by the Tubs, and Eli "Paperboy" Reed as produced by Swamp Dogg.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
My latest newsletter: Notes from the opening stop on Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds' Mutiny For The Masses tour.
Tour Report: Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds, ATX, 9/4/26
Notes from the opening stop on the Mutiny For The Masses tour.
sterlewine.substack.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:55 PM
My latest newsletter: Notes from the opening stop on Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds' Mutiny For The Masses tour.
My latest newsletter: Notes from the opening stop on Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds' Mutiny For The Masses tour.
Tour Report: Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds, ATX, 9/4/26
Notes from the opening stop on the Mutiny For The Masses tour.
sterlewine.substack.com
September 10, 2026 at 11:55 PM
My latest newsletter: Notes from the opening stop on Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds' Mutiny For The Masses tour.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Before her death gets too far in the rearview, I wanted to share some thoughts on Dolly Parton. She was a great star but also one of country's key musical innovators. "Beyond being merely idolized, Dolly Parton was cherished." At No Fences Review
Dolly Parton, 1946 - 2026
David considers Parton’s musical influence and what was, maybe, more important
nofencesreview.substack.com
September 9, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Before her death gets too far in the rearview, I wanted to share some thoughts on Dolly Parton. She was a great star but also one of country's key musical innovators. "Beyond being merely idolized, Dolly Parton was cherished." At No Fences Review
This is great.
New at No Fences Review: we begin our memorial to Dolly Parton with my thoughts on 16 of my favorites. Plus a whole bunch of recommended readings from others who've contended with her work and legacy. More coming soon. Please share and subscribe.
Dolly Parton: A Love Letter in 16 Songs
Charles with some favorite tracks by an artist we love
nofencesreview.substack.com
September 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
This is great.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
This is a great example of how, for an MTV obsessed kid in 1983 or so, the 70s looked like they had happened on another planet. You'd see a sleeve like this and recoil: "that's what bands looked like?"
September 3, 2026 at 10:21 PM
This is a great example of how, for an MTV obsessed kid in 1983 or so, the 70s looked like they had happened on another planet. You'd see a sleeve like this and recoil: "that's what bands looked like?"
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
"If feminism means each of us finding our unique power, and helping other women do the same, Dolly Parton certainly has done both," wrote Gloria Steinem in 1987.
Dolly Parton’s Unique Feminist Power, as Told by Gloria Steinem (January 1987)
Woman of the Year Dolly Parton’s Unique Feminist Power, as Told by Gloria Steinem (From the January 1987 issue of Ms. Magazine)
msmagazine.com
August 28, 2026 at 7:45 PM
"If feminism means each of us finding our unique power, and helping other women do the same, Dolly Parton certainly has done both," wrote Gloria Steinem in 1987.
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
My latest newsletter: an overdubbed, dispiriting mess suggests Prince's Vault may not be "Timeless."
Prince's Vault may not be "Timeless"
The Prince estate reboots their excavation of the Vault with an overdubbed, dispiriting mess.
sterlewine.substack.com
September 1, 2026 at 7:35 PM
My latest newsletter: an overdubbed, dispiriting mess suggests Prince's Vault may not be "Timeless."