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Stephen Thomas Erlewine

@sterlewine.bsky.social
6.3K followers 608 following 1.5K posts

Music writer and journalist, a founding editor of Allmusic now freelancer for hire. Bylines at Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Mojo Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and more. Subscribe to my Newsletter: sterlewine.substack.com

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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10h
I still balk at the individual SZNZs being called albums (although I guess they’re all about four minutes shorter than the new Sheryl Crow) but there’s no getting around the fact that they have released an enormous amount of music.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10h
Loved this and very much looking forward to the subsequent installments when things get strange.
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Bowiesongs (C. O'Leary) @bowiesongs.bsky.social · 22h
Flo & Eddie review "Metal Machine Music" for Phonograph Record's "Blind Date" column, July 1975 (F&E would be played sides of LPs without being told who they were by)
This guy is on the verge of making
it? Mothers, do something! It's easy to
see why this guy's a big one. Larry
Coryell. Yeah! Louder! Melodic son-of-abitch,
isn't he? Jeff Beck. Known for his
lyric abilities? You're not kidding, are
you. ..Michael Quatro. Eno. Isthere a skip
on this? No, it just keeps making this
awful noise. Does it do anything else but
this? Is this progressive? Four sides'! Sure
it's not AI Kooper? I've never heard
anything this awful. Move it up. C'mon,
get serious now, move it up! Well, play
another another side. Move it up. What!
OK, I want to say something right
here: This might be the last Blind Date for
us. This is absolutely the worst— there
has never been a lower piece of product
released ever under any circumstances.
Whatever label had the nerve to put this
out should be banned from releasing
records! (At this point Flo reared up in all
his leviathan might, ripped the record
from the turntable, and in one agonized
convulsion shattered it against the
bannister). Who was that? What do you
mean, Lou Reed? I just don't understand
any more. What does he mean by that?
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Best wishes to you and your family, Jesse.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
That's exactly it...and that's been a perennial Metacritic problem (plus their numbers are a translation of a publication's rating...I'm not sure a four-star review necessarily equals an 80, for instance)
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
It’s wild that the Black Crowes is so high on the list
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
My latest review roundup: David Bowie's Shel Talmy Recordings, Prince's Calabama corrective, Sheryl Crow's Pick You Up, Luke Bryan, expansions from Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Bob Seger, Taylor Swift, plus some odds and ends.
sterlewine.substack.com
Reviews: David Bowie's Shel Talmy Recordings, Prince's Calabama corrective, Sheryl Crow's Pick You Up
Plus Luke Bryan, expansions from Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Bob Seger, Taylor Swift, and some other odds and ends.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Songs in the Key of Life EP, a supplement to the Stevie Wonder masterwork that’s a minor miracle in its own right.
pitchfork.com
Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - The EP
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the EP.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
It also helps that Costello has two or three modes that he can return to on a regular basis so he’s always getting back to form.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Reminds me of Peter Buck promising the next REM record will be the return to rock’n’roll for about 10,15 years
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Always amazed me that they retained many bikers even as they ventured into yacht rock.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
I bet there’s a chance! Enjoy the show, really liked the one I saw a few years back.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
That was my same reaction to the 94 Sugar show I saw.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Agreed that there may be a chance of that happening which would be a shame. I’ve also heard that he’s said these songs would be part of his new album, slated for next year, and I can’t quite imagine how that would work (unless it’s archival I guess)
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Songs in the Key of Life EP, a supplement to the Stevie Wonder masterwork that’s a minor miracle in its own right.
pitchfork.com
Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life - The EP
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the EP.
2476
Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Wish I had seen Link, Bob also has been very loud whenever I’ve seen him solo
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Same tour for me! Absolutely overwhelmingly loud on the show I saw, took me by surprise.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Sugar, Dinosaur, Oasis and Morrissey for me.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
My latest review roundup: David Bowie's Shel Talmy Recordings, Prince's Calabama corrective, Sheryl Crow's Pick You Up, Luke Bryan, expansions from Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Bob Seger, Taylor Swift, plus some odds and ends.
sterlewine.substack.com
Reviews: David Bowie's Shel Talmy Recordings, Prince's Calabama corrective, Sheryl Crow's Pick You Up
Plus Luke Bryan, expansions from Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Bob Seger, Taylor Swift, and some other odds and ends.
0152
Reposted by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Ray Padgett @raypadgett.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I wrote the cover story for the new issue of MOJO about Rolling Thunder 1976! I listened to the full box set (yes, all 39 discs) and interviewed a bunch of participants. Alongside ace 1966/2026 pieces by @johnharris1969.bsky.social and Flagging Down’s recent Dead correspondent @bourgwick.bsky.social
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Wishing you well...and there's no guarantee I'd be able to get out the door if I were in Detroit (or if Sugar were here, for that matter).
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Last time Sugar played Detroit, I couldn't hear out of my left ear for at least three days. How I wish I was seeing them tonight.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Free tickets to see Phish is a real prize!
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Miranda Lambert, my favorite recording artist of the past 20 years, mixes country with disco on Crisco. It's the first album of hers that hasn't clicked for me.
sterlewine.substack.com
Miranda Lambert, Crisco [2026]
Miranda Lambert, my favorite recording artist of the past 20 years, mixes country with disco on Crisco. It's the first album of hers that hasn't clicked for me.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Miranda Lambert, my favorite recording artist of the past 20 years, mixes country with disco on Crisco. It's the first album of hers that hasn't clicked for me.
sterlewine.substack.com
Miranda Lambert, Crisco [2026]
Miranda Lambert, my favorite recording artist of the past 20 years, mixes country with disco on Crisco. It's the first album of hers that hasn't clicked for me.
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Joe Adalian @tvmojoe.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Also, pretty clear HBO Max is using AI to translate its show descriptions into UK English, because look what they call John Candy…
HBO
8th ANNUAL YOUNG COMEDIANS’ SHOW

1983

John Sweets introduces HBO viewers to comedy's class of
1983.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Elvis Costello celebrates the 49th anniversary of his debut album My Aim Is True with a five-disc box set loaded with demos and live performances. Yes, this is the fourth expanded reissue of the album but this set nevertheless offers a bunch of revelations. My review:
sterlewine.substack.com
Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True (49th Anniversary Edition)
Yes, this is the fourth time Costello’s 1977 debut has received an expanded reissue but the wealth of unreleased demos and live performance offer a bunch of revelations.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Another huge fan of Platinum over here.
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average scottythered @scottythered.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Issue 2 of KILLED BY JUNKSHOP GLAM coming out later this month! Nick Lowe tries to get fired from his songwriting job by writing a song about the Bay City Rollers! Hell hath no fury like Nick Gilder's old band scorned! Also the Osmonds, for some reason! Cover art by Jon Kelly Green! #zines #glamrock
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
The dream was a prophecy! Thanks so much, hope you enjoy the set.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Give Elvis credit for this: he’s written brand new liner notes every time he’s reissued My Aim Is True. The ones for this new set feel nearly as long as Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink (which he quotes at least once).
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Not out if the realm of possibility!
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Elvis Costello celebrates the 49th anniversary of his debut album My Aim Is True with a five-disc box set loaded with demos and live performances. Yes, this is the fourth expanded reissue of the album but this set nevertheless offers a bunch of revelations. My review:
sterlewine.substack.com
Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True (49th Anniversary Edition)
Yes, this is the fourth time Costello’s 1977 debut has received an expanded reissue but the wealth of unreleased demos and live performance offer a bunch of revelations.
56810
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Eric Harvey @ericdharvey.com · 02/10/2026
was thinking last night how crazy it was that they kept touring for nine months after Rubber Soul hit stores, even after recording Revolver. Stuck playing "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" and "Baby's In Black" after cutting "Norwegian Wood" "Tomorrow Never Knows" had to feel like going back in time for them
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Beatles' Rubber Soul gets its long-awaited Super Deluxe Edition, complete with a disc of outtakes and a new stereo remix by Giles Martin. My review is in my latest newsletter. sterlewine.substack.com/p/the-beatle...
sterlewine.substack.com
The Beatles, Rubber Soul [Super Deluxe Edition]
Rubber Soul gets its long-awaited Super Deluxe Edition, complete with a disc of outtakes and a new stereo remix by Giles Martin.
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Tyler Wilcox @tylerwilcox.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
One great thing about the upcoming Rolling Thunder Revue 1976 set is that we'll get much, much more of Dylan's absolutely wackadoo slide guitar work. Watch out, Bob Weir!
Dylan shredding on slide — Tampa, Florida 21st April 1976
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
It’ll be interesting to see how closely UMe polices possible re-releases of original mixes from the Beatles, Stones, etc
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
With the copyrights running out in the UK/EEA in 2033, I can imagine that we'll have new mixes of the first five albums at some point in the near future. Does this also mean UMe can't renew the copyright on the original mix?
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Beatles' Rubber Soul gets its long-awaited Super Deluxe Edition, complete with a disc of outtakes and a new stereo remix by Giles Martin. My review is in my latest newsletter. sterlewine.substack.com/p/the-beatle...
sterlewine.substack.com
The Beatles, Rubber Soul [Super Deluxe Edition]
Rubber Soul gets its long-awaited Super Deluxe Edition, complete with a disc of outtakes and a new stereo remix by Giles Martin.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It’s a band that finally, thoroughly clicked for me in the past ten years or so. Grew to love how ungainly they were.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I immediately went to Joel belting out "Erogenous zones, I question you" on "Counting Out Time."
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
There's a place in the world for the angry young Rael.
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Bowiesongs (C. O'Leary) @bowiesongs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
wait, this started as a Genesis parody? tribute? had no idea
"I've Seen the Lamb Lie Down on Broadway (Miami 2017 demo, 1975"
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Mule, the new album from Orville Peck where he turns his dark night of the soul into a rousing entertainment.
pitchfork.com
Orville Peck: Mule
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Mule, the new album from Orville Peck where he turns his dark night of the soul into a rousing entertainment.
pitchfork.com
Orville Peck: Mule
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review of the album.
071
Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
My five year old LOVES this movie.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Happiness Anytime, the new album from Leon Bridges.
pitchfork.com
Leon Bridges: Happiness Anytime
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review if the album.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Over at @pitchfork.com, I review Happiness Anytime, the new album from Leon Bridges.
pitchfork.com
Leon Bridges: Happiness Anytime
Read Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s review if the album.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It's absurd how many releases are packed into a three or four week span between early September and early October, many of them very good.
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Stephen Thomas Erlewine @sterlewine.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"If Brian Wilson & Mike Love shared a body" is dead-on.
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