In 1979, Fleetwood Mac followed up their gazillion-selling Rumours (1977) with the double-album Tusk.

The band is called Wussy. They mostly play in Ohio. They release their albums through the tiny Shake It Records, operated out of the Cincinnati record store of the same name. But Wussy is not a group of weekend warriors. It's one of the best bands in America right now.

For a song that wasn't a hit, nor a signature song of Bruce Springsteen's, "Tougher Than the Rest" has inspired an impressive number of cover versions, including the likes of Emmylou Harris and Travis Tritt. Wikipedia provides the helpful information that "If I Could Turn Back Time"-era Cher covered the song on tour in 1990. YouTube provides proof.

It is interesting that Pulp, which went on indefinite hiatus in 2002, is the first of the mid-'90s Britpop acts to get a reissue campaign, rather than Oasis, Blur, Elastica or Suede. This band had a unique take on its zeitgeist, one that remains relevant.

Experienced live, their mix of spooky Goth organs, hippie drum circles and Katrina Ford's eerily compelling vocals is both hypnotic and blissful.

Joe Pernice wrote his favorite songs into the plot of his new novel, It Feels So Good When I Stop; the idea for the album came later.

There was probably a time when it seemed that Sonic Youth might deconstruct rock music into nothingness.

Wussy captures life in all its messy disappointments and tiny graces, while callower groups pursue Pitchfork plaudits to mask their paucity of ideas.

Nathan Rabin's memoir and first book reveals the turbulent upbringing that led to his pop culture livelihood.

On their new song "Slap Dash for No Cash," Art Brut take dead aim on the rich bands with their expertly buffed and polished discographies.