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The “dirty” 1955 song that made Jimmy Page pick up a guitar: “I wanted to be part of it”
A 1955 hit by Link Wray, ‘Rumble’, is described as a formative influence on Jimmy Page, helping inspire him to pick up the guitar. The instrumental’s raw, distorted sound stood apart from the cleaner popular music of its era and became influential in the development of rock music. Released in 1958 rather than 1955, ‘Rumble’…
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“In the wake of all the frustration and banging our head against, it felt like everything aligned perfectly. I don’t think a lot of people get that moment in their life”: The two millennial classics that turned Jimmy Eat World into low-key emo royalty
Jimmy Eat World’s rise to wider success is traced through two defining albums: 1999’s Clarity, initially a commercial disappointment, and 2001’s Bleed American, which made the band mainstream emo figures. After being dropped by their label and taking day jobs to fund their next record, the group’s breakthrough showed how persistence and artistic confidence could…
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4 of the Best Rock Songs Turning 40 This Year
Four notable rock songs released in 1986 turn 40 this year, illustrating the era’s dramatic vocals, prominent guitars and synthesiser-heavy production. The article highlights both their commercial impact and the enduring cultural importance of their music videos. – Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love” became an emblem of the 1980s, aided by its distinctive video. -…
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Hololive Dreams: How the Development Team Used RPG Mechanics to Create a Giant Rhythm Game
Hololive Dreams combines rhythm gameplay with role-playing and theme-park-building systems to appeal beyond established rhythm-game fans. Its developers say the broader structure gives music challenges a clearer purpose, allowing players to progress through quests and expand a virtual island park while engaging with hololive’s VTuber roster. Released on 23 July, the game features 54 playable…
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AI Is Making Games Worse, And For What?
The article argues that the current AI-driven demand for memory and computing hardware is making gaming more expensive while delivering questionable benefits. It contrasts earlier optimism about AI-enhanced games with concerns that generative AI is instead producing poor-quality art, intrusive features and visual compromises. It says AI companies’ anticipated purchases of memory chips have encouraged…
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The 1992 movie that made Al Pacino fall in love with John Goodman: “One of our greatest actors”
Al Pacino said John Goodman’s performance as Babe Ruth in the 1992 biographical drama The Babe made him a lasting admirer, calling Goodman “one of our greatest actors”. The comment matters because it highlights the esteem in which a highly regarded actor held Goodman, whose work has often been praised despite receiving no Oscar nominations.…
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The 1962 John Wayne movie that almost ended in bloodshed: “What a miserable film to make”
During production of the 1962 Western *The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance*, tensions between John Wayne and director John Ford reportedly nearly led to a physical confrontation with co-star Woody Strode. The episode matters because it illustrates the strain behind a film now regarded as a major Western, and the difficult working relationship between Ford…
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The “masterpiece” 1982 movie Javier Bardem saw 24 times at the cinema
Javier Bardem has described Steven Spielberg’s 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as a “masterpiece”, saying he watched it 24 times at the cinema as a child. He regards it as an enduringly powerful love story about characters who recognise one another through love rather than fear, illustrating the film’s lasting personal influence on him. Bardem,…
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The 1968 album Alex Lifeson played “a million times over”
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has identified Cream’s 1968 album *Wheels of Fire* as a record he played “a million times over” while learning his craft. The article presents the album as a formative influence on Lifeson’s musical development, particularly through Eric Clapton’s guitar work and the band’s blend of blues, rock and improvisation. Released as…
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Charli XCX makes UK chart history with ‘Music, Fashion, Film’
Charli XCX has made UK chart history by becoming the first artist to lead the UK album, singles and compilation charts simultaneously. The achievement reflects the continued commercial momentum around her recent work and her influence across music, fashion and film. Her album Brat returned to number one on the UK Albums Chart, while ‘Guess’,…