Critic and author Annie Zaleski says Pink tries everything because her voice can do anything. In this mini-episode of Hit Parade, host Chris Molanphy is joined by widely published critic Annie Zaleski, the author of several books including a forthcoming biography of Pink. Zaleski says Pink contains multitudes, with a voice capable of many genres [...] Read more

How P!nk earned the exclamation point in her name, with filter-free bravado and music that pivoted from R&B to rock. View Transcript Alecia Moore was so fearless, they put an exclamation point in her name. Pink—a.k.a. P!nk—was full of bravado from the moment she broke at the turn of the millennium, singing a frothy style [...] Read more

The man who signed Hootie & the Blowfish to the majors says they mainstreamed the formerly indie jangle of R.E.M. In this mini-episode of Hit Parade, host Chris Molanphy is joined by Tim Sommer, former bassist, music journalist, MTV/VH1 veejay and Atlantic Records A&R representative. While at Atlantic, Tim signed Hootie & the Blowfish, and [...] Read more

How Darius Rucker defied genre stereotypes twice—first with Hootie & the Blowfish, then with his solo country stardom. Advertisement Listen & Subscribe Choose your preferred player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Stitcher Listen Ad-Free On Amazon Music Overcast TuneIn RSS Feed For questions about subscriptions or your Slate Plus feed, check our FAQ. Please enable [...] Read more

Critic and Christine McVie eulogizer Alfred Soto says she was Fleetwood Mac’s songwriter for the morning after. View Transcript Listen & Subscribe Choose your preferred player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Stitcher Listen Ad-Free On Amazon Music Overcast TuneIn RSS Feed For questions about subscriptions or your Slate Plus feed, check our FAQ. Please enable [...] Read more

How the late Christine McVie kept Fleetwood Mac afloat during fallow periods until they became chart conquerors. View Transcript View Transcript The story of Fleetwood Mac is an oft-told rock n’ roll tale: British blues-rock band sells poorly until two Americans join, bringing California vibes and lots of drama. Everybody fights, cheats, drugs and boozes. [...] Read more

Why Glass Animals beat Harry Styles for Billboard’s top song of 2022—year-end upsets date back to the Stones vs. Sam the Sham. Sam the Sham over the Rolling Stones? The Knack over Donna Summer? Wilson Phillips over Mariah Carey? Glass Animals over Harry Styles? On Billboard’s year-end Hot 100, upsets are quite common. Songs that [...] Read more

Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine breaks down the scenes and sounds that led to—and flowed out of—punk. View Transcript Listen & Subscribe Choose your preferred player: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Stitcher Listen Ad-Free On Amazon Music Overcast TuneIn RSS Feed For questions about subscriptions or your Slate Plus feed, check our FAQ. Please enable [...] Read more