From the Desk of Lou Waxman

Scorpions Lovedrive original banned album cover (1979 vinyl)

Lou Waxman’s take on Lovedrive: Sex, the CIA, a...

Lou Waxman thought the Scorpions were two bad songs and a wind machine. Then he heard Lovedrive. From banned album art and YouTube “dorks” to CIA conspiracies and Moscow, 1989,...

Lou Waxman’s take on Lovedrive: Sex, the CIA, a...

Lou Waxman thought the Scorpions were two bad songs and a wind machine. Then he heard Lovedrive. From banned album art and YouTube “dorks” to CIA conspiracies and Moscow, 1989,...

The Best Rock ’n’ Roll Records of All-Time Jimmy Guterman book cover

Lou Waxman on The Best Rock ’n’ Roll Records of...

Lou Waxman reviews The Best Rock ’n’ Roll Records of All-Time and reflects on music books, independent shops, and why anyone can write a book—if they just sit down.

Lou Waxman on The Best Rock ’n’ Roll Records of...

Lou Waxman reviews The Best Rock ’n’ Roll Records of All-Time and reflects on music books, independent shops, and why anyone can write a book—if they just sit down.

Silver Jews American Water vinyl album cover

The Day Lou Discovered David Berman

Lou Waxman recounts the day he discovered David Berman, the Silver Jews, and American Water—and why some music changes you forever.

The Day Lou Discovered David Berman

Lou Waxman recounts the day he discovered David Berman, the Silver Jews, and American Water—and why some music changes you forever.

Phil Collins Face Value vinyl album cover

In the Air Tonight

Lou Waxman finally finds his way into the train scene from Risky Business—by way of Phil Collins’ Face Value, ominous drums, and music that unlocks memory.

In the Air Tonight

Lou Waxman finally finds his way into the train scene from Risky Business—by way of Phil Collins’ Face Value, ominous drums, and music that unlocks memory.

Fat Boys Crushin vinyl album cover

The Fat Boys, MTV, and the Sound of Early Rap

Lou Waxman finds Crushin’ in the new arrivals and traces how the Fat Boys took early rap from the streets to MTV—and into the mainstream.

The Fat Boys, MTV, and the Sound of Early Rap

Lou Waxman finds Crushin’ in the new arrivals and traces how the Fat Boys took early rap from the streets to MTV—and into the mainstream.

George Carlin Class Clown vinyl album cover

George Carlin, Free Speech, and the Sound of Re...

Lou Waxman finds Class Clown in the bins and traces how George Carlin turned words into weapons—and comedy into a civil liberty.

George Carlin, Free Speech, and the Sound of Re...

Lou Waxman finds Class Clown in the bins and traces how George Carlin turned words into weapons—and comedy into a civil liberty.