Eric Allen
Bio
I'm a music journalist, blogger and crate digger. I began writing about music during college and again as a freelancer. Links to my published pieces can be found on my music blog at: popmartzoo.com and/or follow me on Twitter:@popmartzoo
Stories (37/0)
Madonna Is…’Madame X’
First, let me preface this review by stating I’ve long been a Madonna fan since I bought her first 12-inch single “Everybody” in the fall of 1982, which felt like discovering a hidden treasure at the time. So, whether you agree or disagree with my following assessment of Madame X, just know I’m well versed in the subject of Madonna and her iconic catalog.
By Eric Allen5 years ago in Beat
Bananarama: 'In Stereo'
“Been a long time, been a, been a long time…” Britain’s all-time best-selling female group Bananarama, has just returned from a decade of radio silence with a fabtastic all new full-length titled In Stereo. The 10-track set is Keren Woodward and Sara Dallin’s first studio album since 2009’s vivacious Viva and it’s 36 minutes of pure dance pop perfection.
By Eric Allen5 years ago in Beat
Go-Go’s 'Talk Show': Something to Talk About
It’s been 35 years since all-female rock band the Go-Go’s released the group’s third studio effort, Talk Show. Therefore, in celebration of this milestone, I’ve decided to pluck it from obscurity, and revisit its virtues for posterity.
By Eric Allen5 years ago in Beat
The Pop Perfection of Captain & Tennille
Whenever I recall my adolescent musical memories, the pure pop perfection of Captain & Tennille always comes rushing to the forefront of my mind. That’s right, the so-called square version of Sonny & Cher, who made an irresistible and indelible impression upon me during my formative years. Springtime always makes me reminisce fondly about the keyboard and production wizardry of Daryl Dragon alongside the sweet, multi-layered vocals and poetic lyrics of Toni Tennille, as I always seemed to purchase and/or anticipate the release of a new Captain & Tennille album at this time of year. Their California style of pop always made me feel like I was driving along the Pacific Coast Highway, windows rolled down, and cool sea breeze blowing through my hair, although it would be several years later before I’d actually do this as my adult self.
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Beat
For the Love of Star Wars
Why is Star Wars regarded by millions as the greatest movie franchise of all time? Well, what’s not to love about heroes and heroines fighting against evil and darkness with lightsaber duels, laser blasters, and cross-galaxy hyperspace chases thrown into the mix?
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Futurism
Kylie Minogue Gets Her Country On
Did you think Dolly Parton would be the last artist to attempt country disco? Well, think again. Dance-pop diva from down under, Kylie Minogue, returns with her first full-length of all new material since 2014’s R&B leaning Kiss Me Once.
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Beat
Looking Back at Green Day’s '21st Century Breakdown'
Green Day’s 21st Century Breakdown, the band’s follow-up to the epochal American Idiot, was one of 2009’s most eagerly awaited albums and it more than lived up to all of the anticipation. On Green Day’s eighth studio album, the band returned in peak form with the hits “Know Your Enemy,” “21 Guns,” “East Jesus Nowhere,” “Last of the American Girls,” plus the tempo-changing title track. Many had speculated whether or not the band could recapture the success of their previous Grammy Award-winning opus, but all of those fears were quickly put to rest with their second three-part punk rock opera. 21st Century Breakdown delivered an abundance of material for listeners to sink their teeth into, as the disc clocked in at just under 70 minutes. In hindsight, 21st Century Breakdownwas every bit as good as American Idiot, if not better.
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Beat
- Top Story - January 2018
Remembering David Bowie 1947–2016Top Story - January 2018
This week inconceivably marks two years since David Bowie’s untimely passing, but it’s still hard to believe he’s gone. This week, on what would have been his 71st birthday, I am once again exploring his extensive catalog, as I fondly reflect upon my personal journey of discovery into the bewildering artistry of Bowie.
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Beat
My Yuletide Picks of 2017
Each year, I deliberately count the days as they gradually morph into weeks and months of seasonal changes. I watch with great anticipation as the calendar eventually progresses towards the beginnings of the holiday season. Like clockwork, new Christmas albums miraculously appear annually. I readily look forward to adding something novel to my holiday music collection, which has gradually, but incessantly, increased per annum. This December is no exception with the following titles earning a permanent place within my musical library.
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Beat
Fun, Dreams and an Adventure of a Lifetime: Recalling Coldplay’s A Head Full of Dreams Tour
“This was our first chapter. From now on we’ll only be full of surprises,” was recently posted on Coldplay’s Facebook page upon completion of the A Head Full of Dreams Tour in Buenos Aires. The sentiment reinforced the mysterious cloud of uncertainty which hangs over Coldplay’s future as a band. Chris Martin has alleged on more than one occasion the band’s seventh album, A Head Full of Dreams marks “the completion of something.” He’s also proclaimed he doesn’t envision another proper Coldplay full-length in the future. While it doesn’t sound like the band members themselves know for sure what lies ahead for the best-selling rock band of this century, it seems all but guaranteed it’ll be some time before we find out what will come next.
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Beat
Music Condescension: A Sanctimonious Affliction
We’ve all encountered and endured the hyperbolic rantings of music snobs. You know the type: someone who not only thinks they know more than the average music buff, but more than anyone else, period. The stereotypical music fanatic feels self-important and even entitled to an unjustified sense of coolness by playing the anti-mainstream music game, declaring a particular favorite band or artist is better than whomever someone else is listening to because said artist is more obscure. Yet, these so-called music aficionados are the first to abandon their favorites upon the very first sign of even a minuscule amount of commercial triumph, because of some imaginary belief system based on tiresome and ridiculous self-imposed “rules,” which decree mainstream success is evil and taboo.
By Eric Allen6 years ago in Beat
Looking Back at Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour
In celebration of Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour coming to DVD and Blu-ray in September, I’m reflecting on her fabulous Nashville concert stop back in January 2016. The two-hour-plus show was the first Music City performance of the superstar’s career, which now spans more than three decades. This egregious fact didn’t go unnoticed by the singer as she jokingly professed to be a “Nashville virgin” when she took the stage.
By Eric Allen7 years ago in Beat