Being a pop fan is a lot like Catholic devotion - lots of ritual, lots of ceremony... We touch the icon to enter the sacred space, genuflecting to reliquaries and ostentatoria that make something splendid of our most secret desires and agonies. Rob Sheffield agonycatholicceremony share on social
One of the things that make Liars so fascinating after five albums, each one so completely different from the others, is that even though they play around with all the classic tropes of art-damaged angst-noise perv-rock, they exude a totally cheery and boyish enthusiasm onstage, goofing around with their keyboards and beatboxes. Rob Sheffield albumangstart share on social
One of the billions of things I love about Beyonce: The harder she tries to come on crazy, the less crazy she sounds. Rob Sheffield beyoncebillioncrazy Change image and share on social
Rebecca Black might sing like a robot, but that's just proof she has evolved beyond us. Her vocal is just a slightly exaggerated version of the robot glitch-twitch stutter that's been mainstream pop vocalese for the past 10 years or so. Rob Sheffield blackevolveexaggerate share on social
Every moment of my life has a soundtrack, so I never know when some song is going to jump me by surprise and bring the memory alive. Rob Sheffield alivebringjump Change image and share on social
On 'Idol,' Steven Tyler will be sitting at a table with two other judges, and part of his job will be keeping his yap zipped while they talk. This makes no sense at all, since Tyler has zero yap-zipping skills. Rob Sheffield idoljobjudge share on social
Ah, the bond between English boys and California girls. For those of us who aren't either, it's a bond that fascinates and mystifies. So much of the world's favorite music comes out of that relationship. Rob Sheffield bondboycalifornia share on social
That's the secret of 'True Blood' - all the creatures that roam Bon Temps become a metaphor for our insatiable lusts and inner desires. Humans craving what they can't have and those secret appetites transforming them into beasts, or even killers. Rob Sheffield appetitebeastblood share on social
'So You Think You Can Dance' comes on as a high-minded leap up the evolutionary ladder from other reality shows - on this one, you're supposed to learn something, and the guest judges are fellow dance professionals rather than actual celebrities. Rob Sheffield actualcelebritydance share on social
'I'll Tumble 4 Ya' has to be one of the most ridiculous hit singles that any international superstars have given the world. Rob Sheffield hitinternationalridiculous Change image and share on social