Robert Dean Lurie

Here are some things we can count on from emerging Australian songwriter Glenn Watson: solid melodies, appealing chord progressions, tight musicianship, and impeccable production. If a song is hitting your ears, it has already gone through a fair amount of…

For the music lover on your holiday gift list, Begin the Begin: R.E.M.'s Early Years is now available at Amazon US, Amazon UK, and Booktopia (Australia). For the superfan, I recommend pairing it with Rodger Lyle Brown's excellent…

One of my favorite bands of the moment is the Zags, a hook-infested Portland group headed by veteran songwriters David Ricardo and Stanton Hall. They have the pop concision thing down; in all of their work I sense a continuous…

The following five books have greatly influenced my writing and thinking about music. This is the best nonfiction I've come across on rock 'n' roll, but I say that with a caveat: I have not yet read Life by Keith…

Washington DC Event

I will be doing a reading and book signing for Begin the Begin: R.E.M.'s Early Years at the Mansion on O Street on June 25 at 6:30 PM. The event is free, but you will need to…

Begin the Begin: R.E.M.'s Early Years is available now. You can purchase on Amazon, or direct from Athens Georgia's wonderful Avid Bookshop. 

"The start of R.E.M and the rise of the Athens, GA music scene has been the…

Really enjoying How's the Weather There?, the new EP from Australian songwriter Glenn Watson. This is ostensibly a debut, but he has clearly been doing this for a while. The songcraft is assured, drawing from the likes of R.E.M., Tom…

I had this harebrained idea that I would illustrate my own book. This despite the fact that I haven't taken art seriously since high school. As it turns out, it's not like getting back on a bicycle; I bailed after…

Dear Friends,

I'm thrilled to report that the release date for my new book Begin the Begin: R.E.M.'s Early Years has been set for May 14, 2019. You can view a slideshow of the interior graphics at VerseChorus.com, and the…

I have waited a long time to make this announcement. My forthcoming book is R.E.M. The Early Years. This deep-dive into the origins of a great American band has been in the works since 2012 and will see release in…

A big highlight of 2017 for me was the opportunity to work with one of my musical heroes, Keith Joyner, in promoting his new band les biches. Blurt posted a piece this week that includes excerpts from the band bio…

It was a huge honor to be invited onto National Review's new music podcast "Political Beats" this week to discuss the career and legacy of Hall and Oates. If, like me, you have been earnestly seeking that sweet spot where…