Here’s my third Poptimist column for Pitchfork. It’s about pop, but mostly about 2000AD and the concept of thrill-power.
The notorious “giant scorpions” cover which I cite in the piece was drawn by Massimo Belardinelli, who I […]

GOOD CHARLOTTE – “Keep Your Hands Off My Girl” – Score: 4.18 (12th) – Controversy: 2.83 (8th)
(Females: 12th. Males: 12th. Under 30s: 11th. Over 30s: 13th.)
Most like: MIA. Most unlike: JoJo. (But not significantly like […]

Going drinking in Shoreditch is rarely a straightforward process. Our original chosen pub being closed for a family funeral, we found ourselves in The Barley Mow, a small and noisy boozer which initially seemed to offer a common-sensical safe option.[…]

KAISER CHIEFS – “Ruby” – Score: 4.10 (13th) – Controversy: 2.56 (15th)
(Females: 6th. Males: 18th. Under 30s: 15th. Over 30s: 9th)
Most like: Take That. Most unlike: MIA. (more…)[…]

MAXIMO PARK – “Our Velocity” – Score: 3.90 (14th) – Controversy: 2.39 (19th)
(Females: 14th. Males: 15th. Under 30s: 17th. Over 30s: 15th)
Most like: The Gossip. Most unlike: JoJo. (more…)[…]

Plenty of words have been written about the seminal Sex Pistols’ seminal gig at the seminal Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1976. There has even been a whole book about it! Everyone knows that the gig was really very important indeed and that eve[…]

ALEX GAUDINO ft CRYSTAL WATERS – “Destination Calabria” – Score: 3.90 (15th) – Controversy: 2.46 (16th)
(Females: 18th. Males: 11th. Under 30s: 13th. Over 30s: 16th)
Most like: Avril Lavigne. Most unlike: Mika. (more&hel[…]

I have just had an enlightening conversation with FT’s own Sarah C during which I made the astonishing – to me and me only – discovery that you’re allowed to change your tiles over in Scrabble if your rack is rub. Sarah’[…]

JUST JACK – “Starz In Their Eyes” – Score: 3.80 (16th) – Controversy: 2.70 (10th)
(Females: 16th. Males: 14th. Under 30s: 14th. Over 30s: 17th.)
Most like: The View. Most unlike: MIA. (more…)[…]

MIKA – “Grace Kelly” – Score: 3.68 (17th) – Controversy: 2.59 (14th)
(Females: 10th. Males: 19th. Under 30s: 18th. Over 30s: 15th)
Most like: Take That. Most unlike: FHM High Street Honeyz. (more…)[…]