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Steven Hyden

@stevenhyden.bsky.social
13K followers 86 following 218 posts

The Ween Of American Rock Critics. Author of six books. My book on The Strokes is out 9/8/26. Indiecast dude. Writing at Evil Speakers: stevenhyden.substack.com

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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 6h
Wrote about seeing Johnny Blue Skies aka Sturgill Simpson this weekend, almost exactly two years to the day after he played my favorite live gig of the 2020s so far. This recent night was special, too, though the arena was only about 2/3rds full. tinyurl.com/ccv8ewz9
tinyurl.com
Scene Report: Johnny Blue Skies Is The Best Live Arena Act Going Right Now
The question is: Can Sturgill Simpson actually sell out these arenas on his current tour?
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Rob Mitchum @robmitchum.bsky.social · 2h
Saw Sturgill last night and agree with all of this. Some of it sounded almost exactly like '97 Phish, and I don't say that lightly!
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 6h
Wrote about seeing Johnny Blue Skies aka Sturgill Simpson this weekend, almost exactly two years to the day after he played my favorite live gig of the 2020s so far. This recent night was special, too, though the arena was only about 2/3rds full. tinyurl.com/ccv8ewz9
tinyurl.com
Scene Report: Johnny Blue Skies Is The Best Live Arena Act Going Right Now
The question is: Can Sturgill Simpson actually sell out these arenas on his current tour?
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 8h
I've interviewed Craig Finn several times over the years and it's always a great conversation. I was honored to be on the other side of equation this time, as a guest on Craig's great podcast, talking about my book IS THIS IT. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
podcasts.apple.com
Steven Hyden
Podcast Episode · That's How I Remember It · September 30 · 56m
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
For my latest Ask A Music Critic column, a reader inquired about Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" and the recent conversation about what it means to be totally unfamiliar with the most popular song in America for about six months running. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/ask-a-musi...
stevenhyden.substack.com
Ask A Music Critic: Does It Matter That I Haven’t Heard The Year’s Most Popular Song?
Or: What does it mean to have a No. 1 song for almost six months in 2026 anyway?
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Joel Reamer @pettyintrigues.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Steven missed a nice ouroboros (or whatever) here: the boyfriend who Chooses Texas in the video is played by Luke Grimes, star of the mentioned TV comparison “Marshals.”
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Jamie Fantana @jamiefantana.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
read the new @stevenhyden.bsky.social book “is this it?” took me a week, which for someone with severe adhd is a miracle. i devoured it and it made me spin off into thoughts on rock, the aughts, time, aging, and how charming the music video for “someday” is. may do a substack about it later
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
For my latest Ask A Music Critic column, a reader inquired about Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" and the recent conversation about what it means to be totally unfamiliar with the most popular song in America for about six months running. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/ask-a-musi...
stevenhyden.substack.com
Ask A Music Critic: Does It Matter That I Haven’t Heard The Year’s Most Popular Song?
Or: What does it mean to have a No. 1 song for almost six months in 2026 anyway?
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Southern Accents @southernaccentspod.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We sat down with the hardest working man in rock criticism to chat about his new book, "Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise And Fall Of The Strokes (And Rock 'N' Roll)". Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome @stevenhyden.bsky.social to the program. 🔗👇
Patreon thumbnail for "Is This It (with Steven Hyden) episode of the Southern Accents Podcast.
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chris @yrpalchris.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I stopped the episode partway through to listen to the albums again so there's a chance Steven mentions this but you can really hear on Strangeways how easy it was for Johnny Marr to make a sideways move to The The almost immediately afterwards
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We have reached the end of Smiths-tember at Evil Speakers. We conclude with two 1987 releases, LOUDER THAN BOMBS and STRANGEWAYS, HERE WE COME, that portended the end of the band, right down to the song titles, including this song. tinyurl.com/a2uucwss
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We have reached the end of Smiths-tember at Evil Speakers. We conclude with two 1987 releases, LOUDER THAN BOMBS and STRANGEWAYS, HERE WE COME, that portended the end of the band, right down to the song titles, including this song. tinyurl.com/a2uucwss
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Music Maps Podcast @musicmaps.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Why did The Strokes attract so much media attention back in 2001? join @stevenhyden.bsky.social on Music Maps Podcast - listen: tinyurl.com/36dzdcd8 #thestrokes
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Crazy mail day: Seven 85’s From The Vault!
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I wrote about the new reissue of Ben Folds Five's 1995 debut, an outlier sonically in the grunge nineties and a deceptively poppy example of the era's "nice guy" toxicity. tinyurl.com/9suby5hm
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I wrote about the new reissue of Ben Folds Five's 1995 debut, an outlier sonically in the grunge nineties and a deceptively poppy example of the era's "nice guy" toxicity. tinyurl.com/9suby5hm
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Big fan of Gilla Band's PUGNELLO, which is out today, my car-stereo album of the year thus far. tinyurl.com/9suby5hm
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Hey, my monthly Jukebox Jury column is back, where I review and grade 15 recent songs and albums, including The War On Drugs, U2, Gilla Band, Twisted Teens, Greta Van Fleet and 10 more. Also reviewed the recent reissue of Ben Folds Five's very mid-90s debut. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/jukebox-ju...
stevenhyden.substack.com
Jukebox Jury #7: Pink River Dolphin Blues
Reviews of The War On Drugs, U2, Greta Van Fleet, Twisted Teens, Gilla Band and 10 more new and recent releases, plus thoughts on a Ben Folds Five reissue
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Hey, my monthly Jukebox Jury column is back, where I review and grade 15 recent songs and albums, including The War On Drugs, U2, Gilla Band, Twisted Teens, Greta Van Fleet and 10 more. Also reviewed the recent reissue of Ben Folds Five's very mid-90s debut. stevenhyden.substack.com/p/jukebox-ju...
stevenhyden.substack.com
Jukebox Jury #7: Pink River Dolphin Blues
Reviews of The War On Drugs, U2, Greta Van Fleet, Twisted Teens, Gilla Band and 10 more new and recent releases, plus thoughts on a Ben Folds Five reissue
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Reposted by Steven Hyden
Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I recorded a podcast with Chuck Klosterman about his great new book ROCK*, a fake history of 20th century rock with real insight! We talked about how he satirized rock criticism in the book, whether rock criticism has a future, & the future of media in general tinyurl.com/3fzzmbs6
tinyurl.com
Rock* Of Ages: Chuck Klosterman In Conversation
Watch now (65 mins) | I talk with the best-selling author about his new fake history of 20th century rock music
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I recorded a podcast with Chuck Klosterman about his great new book ROCK*, a fake history of 20th century rock with real insight! We talked about how he satirized rock criticism in the book, whether rock criticism has a future, & the future of media in general tinyurl.com/3fzzmbs6
tinyurl.com
Rock* Of Ages: Chuck Klosterman In Conversation
Watch now (65 mins) | I talk with the best-selling author about his new fake history of 20th century rock music
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Reposted by Steven Hyden
Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The new Neil Young album SECOND SONG is one of 2026's most pleasant surprises – not quite a return to form, but his best in some time. But how long, exactly? I parsed thru Neil's very patchy 21st century work & wrote about why SECOND SONG stands out. tinyurl.com/44s9ytc8
tinyurl.com
Let’s Rank 21st Century Neil Young Albums
The new “Second Song” is his best in years — but what does that mean, exactly?
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Marc Masters 🌵 @marcissist.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
New episode of the Music Book Podcast, talking to @stevenhyden.bsky.social about his great new book "Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of the Strokes (and Rock ‘n' Roll)," out now on Da Capo. themusicbookpodcast.buzzsprout.com/2120946/epis...
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The new Neil Young album SECOND SONG is one of 2026's most pleasant surprises – not quite a return to form, but his best in some time. But how long, exactly? I parsed thru Neil's very patchy 21st century work & wrote about why SECOND SONG stands out. tinyurl.com/44s9ytc8
tinyurl.com
Let’s Rank 21st Century Neil Young Albums
The new “Second Song” is his best in years — but what does that mean, exactly?
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club @rnrbook-club.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
NEW MUSIC MAPS PODCAST @stevenhyden.bsky.social on @thestrokes.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/6obr... @musicmaps.bsky.social
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Hey, I was psyched to open the New York Times this morning and see the print version of their very kind review of my new book IS THIS IT.
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Hey, this bad boy has been out for 10 days now. Thanks to everyone who has checked it out! www.dacapopress.com/titles/steve...
dacapopress.com
Is This It
“Can the book-as-friend be saved? Maybe. Reading Is This It, I found myself hoping so.” — New York Times “A graceful eulogy for rock bands, cent...
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Drew Morton @damorton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Haven’t picked this one up yet, but Steven’s books - TWILIGHT OF THE GODS and the Springsteen one - are two of my favorites of the music criticism genre. Can’t wait to check this one out! (Also - respect for the TRANQUILITY BASE love on this week’s newsletter 🫡)
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
RIP Duncan Sheik. All CVS store signs will hang at half mast today.
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rmlumley @rmlumley.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I have my copy and excited to see @stevenhyden.bsky.social at the Wisconsin Book Festival. www.wisconsinbookfestival.org
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Hey, this bad boy has been out for 10 days now. Thanks to everyone who has checked it out! www.dacapopress.com/titles/steve...
dacapopress.com
Is This It
“Can the book-as-friend be saved? Maybe. Reading Is This It, I found myself hoping so.” — New York Times “A graceful eulogy for rock bands, cent...
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I wrote about the new Beck album tinyurl.com/3vpz7d25
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I wrote about the career and catalog of Arctic Monkeys, who wanted to be the British Strokes and then sold a ton of records, and now seem to be in the midst of a soft retirement. Also reviewed albums by Beck, Graham Hunt, Slow Pulp, and Lily Seabird. tinyurl.com/3vpz7d25
tinyurl.com
Four Stars Out Of Five: An Arctic Monkeys Survey
Also: Reviews of new albums by Beck, Lily Seabird, Slow Pulp and Graham Hunt
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I wrote about the career and catalog of Arctic Monkeys, who wanted to be the British Strokes and then sold a ton of records, and now seem to be in the midst of a soft retirement. Also reviewed albums by Beck, Graham Hunt, Slow Pulp, and Lily Seabird. tinyurl.com/3vpz7d25
tinyurl.com
Four Stars Out Of Five: An Arctic Monkeys Survey
Also: Reviews of new albums by Beck, Lily Seabird, Slow Pulp and Graham Hunt
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I admit I got choked up during this song.
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
@michaeljkane.bsky.social
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Michael J. Kane @michaeljkane.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
It's arrived! The book that will save rock 'n' roll. By @stevenhyden.bsky.social
Photo of the new book by Steven Hyden, "Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise And Fall Of The Strokes (And Rock 'N' Roll)"
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
In this week's Ask A Music Critic column a reader poses the most asked question in all of music discourse: Why do certain artists get hyped while others (who might be equally good) aren't? I finally pull back the curtain on music-biz Xmas Adventurers! tinyurl.com/4rj9vkrd
tinyurl.com
Ask A Music Critic: Why Do Certain Artists Get Hyped While Others Don’t?
I finally answer one of the most asked questions in the history of music discourse
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Hey, the New York Times shouted out my book in "The Morning" newsletter. Thank you, New York Times! www.nytimes.com/2026/09/14/b...
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Joey Politano🏳️‍🌈 @josephpolitano.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Unspeakably excited to finally have this book in my hands
A book called “is this it: the never ending rise and fall of the strokes (and rock n roll)
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Thank to everyone who has already checked in during the release week of my new book IS THIS IT. It's been awesome seeing the response. Lots more discussion with some cool outlets to come! www.dacapopress.com/titles/steve...
dacapopress.com
Is This It
“A graceful eulogy for rock bands, centered on rock's last best hope.” — Kirkus ReviewsFrom an acclaimed music critic and author, an in-depth analysis ...
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Seth Wickersham @sethwickersham.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
So excited for this, @stevenhyden.bsky.social —and not just because I used to frequent the 19th Hole on Second Ave.
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SLC Unc @dadshammdad.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The Strokes have been my favorite band for over 20 years. Very excited to dive into this. @stevenhyden.bsky.social
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The new This Is Lorelei album is out today and it's great. I sat down with Nate Amos last month for an extended interview than you can now watch in full on YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX3d...
youtube.com
Indiecast Speaks With Nate Amos of This Is Lorelei [FULL INTERVIEW]
YouTube video by Indiecast
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The new Oasis reunion tour documentary DON'T LOOK BACK IN ANGER isn't only a commercial for the band, but also a commercial for the upsides of the communal stadium-rock experience. Seeing it in a theater last night made me feel amazing. I wrote about it. tinyurl.com/2h2nz5dp
tinyurl.com
The New Oasis Reunion Tour Documentary Made Me Feel Amazing
Possibly the best ever advertisement for the upsides of seeing a concert in a stadium
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Thank you to @InsideHook for publishing this excerpt from my new book IS THIS IT. www.insidehook.com/music/9-11-a...
insidehook.com
How 9/11 Changed The Strokes’ Glorious Debut, “Is This It”
Discover how 9/11 and an album cover affected The Strokes' debut album
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Ally Roth @alinaisyou.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
It is so rare to see Todd outright giddy about anything, but we were both thrilled to have @stevenhyden.bsky.social join us for this episode. And I was relieved to not be the only Jefferson Airplane skeptic in the room.
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Todd in the Shadows @shadowtodd.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Love this one a lot, we got the legend @stevenhyden.bsky.social into the studio to help us get through a bad trip and decide between "White Rabbit" and "White Room" (sadly the Clash's "White Riot" deemed too '70s to be included)
open.spotify.com
175: "White Rabbit" vs. "White Room" (w/Steven Hyden!)
Song Vs. Song · Episode
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Steven Hyden @stevenhyden.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
I wrote about the great new This Is Lorelei album. tinyurl.com/2frxw72h
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Jamie Fantana @jamiefantana.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
read first chapter of my favorite music writer @stevenhyden.bsky.social’s new book “is this it” and am already hooked. it’s going to touch where other ‘00s rock books might fail in “this was a revolution promised to us that petered out into nothing.” depressing, maybe, but it’s what happened!
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