Articles by Dan Epstein

The 2010s: Ten Great Debut Albums from the Past Decade
From Janelle Monáe to Deafheaven, some notable career-defining first releases.

Wayne Coyne Breaks Down The Flaming Lips’ New “The Soft Bulletin” Live LP Track by Track
“Whatever happens, it’s going to sound cool!”

The 2010s: The 10 Most Fantastic Farewell Albums of the Decade
Listing the swan songs of those who are gone but certainly not forgotten.

In Conversation: Opeth’s “In Cauda Venenum” Is a Different Kind of Heaviness
Mikael Åkerfeldt on the Swedish prog metal group’s bilingual, “super-epic” new album.

Remembering Nick Walusko: 1960-2019
A tribute to Nicky Wonder, cofounder of the Wondermints and guitarist for Brian Wilson, who died this week at age fifty-nine.

Mastodon Honors Beloved Manager on “Stairway to Nick John”
Drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor on the Led Zeppelin classic they recorded for their late manager, who passed away last year.

Straight from the King’s Mouth: Wayne Coyne on The Flaming Lips’ New Album for Record Store Day
Named for Coyne’s 2015 art instillation of the same name, “King’s Mouth” features twelve interconnected songs with narration from The Clash’s Mick Jones.

Colluding with Rob Rogers and Tenacious D’s Jack Black and Kyle Gass
Our FLOOD 9 cover conversation between ex–Pittsburgh Post-Gazette political cartoonist and an irreverent rock duo.

In Conversation: Dave Davies of The Kinks Still Believes in the Village Green
Out of place and underappreciated in 1968, “The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society” has finally reached the status it deserves in the highest tier of rock——and Dave Davies sincerely appreciates that, late as it may be.

Jessie and Katey’s Art of Noise
Inside the world of the Lollapalooza poster artists.

Sunflower Bean Are Stretching Things Out
The trio are careful about what they do in the studio, but once they hit the stage all bets are off.