Steven Hyden
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The Ween Of American Rock Critics. 7x author. My book on The Strokes out 9/8/26. Indiecast co-host. Writing at Evil Speakers: stevenhyden.substack.com/
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Articles by Steven Hyden
I’m Obligated To Have An Opinion On AI Music So Here It Is (It Bores Me To Tears)
Styx’s “Mr. Roboto” — the face of AI circa 1983 Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. If you haven’t noticed all the non-stop self-promotion lately: I have a new book coming out! And it’s almost here! It’s out Sept. 8 and you should order it now so you can read it as soon as possible! I’ll be in St. Paul on the day of release. I would love to see as many of you there as possible.
36FTVQ: Dave’s Picks Vol. 59
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look for my weekly column on Thursday, which will discuss the evolution of AI music. Please preorder my new book “Is This It” which is out on Sept. 8. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. Welcome back to 36FTVQ, where Rob Mitchum and I talk about the new Dave’s Picks album, Vol. 59, culled from a show at the Boston Garden on September 26, 1991.
My Favorite Songs of August 2026
World News (Photo: Teddy Hansen) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for the return of 36FTVQ later this week, as well as my weekly column on Thursday, about the current state of AI music. Also: My book comes out one week from today! Order it now, just click here! Please come see me if you can in St. Paul at the Turf Club. Here are 18 songs I enjoyed from August of 2026. I have written about many of these songs already, and some of them I’ll be writing about in the future.
Why I write about musical failures, and how that led me to the Strokes
I started writing about music when I was pretty young. The first record reviews I ever wrote were when I was 14 for my junior high paper. I wrote about Automatic for the People by R.E.M. and Dirt by Alice in Chains. That's 1992. So, for almost as long as I've been a music fan, I've been writing about music. I grew up in a time when bands were prevalent, and it wasn't just in rock music. I'm more similar to my younger self than you would believe.
Catalog Club: Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s “Broken Arrow” (1996)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Catalog Club. Look out this week for a playlist of my songs favorite songs of August 2026 and the return of 36FTVQ with Rob Mitchum. Also my weekly column on Thursday. My new book “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” is out next week, on Sept. 8. Please consider ordering now! To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable.
Been Caught Stealing: R.I.P. Columbia House
Columbia House ad, circa 1992-ish. (Reddit) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers.
Westside Cowboy Signals A New Era For British Indie Rock
It Goes On, the scrappily invigorating full-length debut by the U.K. band Westside Cowboy, opens with one of the year’s most exciting rock songs. A rousing mess of relentlessly chugging guitars and shout-along vocals, “Kick Stones (The Boys)” has the spirited energy of a pub band that imagines it’s playing Wembley Stadium.
Ask A Music Critic: Is Big Thief Playing 29 New Songs Really Preferable To Hearing The Hits?
Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief (Photo: Genesis Báez) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Please check out Chris Dalla Riva’s recent interview with me, which turned into a two-parter after I spontaneously started talking about the music-writing biz. Every now and then I like to respond to reader questions.
Catalog Club: Neil’s Young’s “Mirror Ball” (1995)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look out for my weekly column on Thursday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. In 1995, I was very excited about this record. It reunited Neil with Pearl Jam after their performance together at the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards, a clip I watched on videotape at least 12,000 times during this period and later referenced in my writing nearly as much.
Jukebox Jury #6: Elvis In A Tesla Model X
Brandon Flowers says, “Howdy, welcome to my down-home photo opp.” Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for part four of this month’s “Catalog Club” series on ’90s Neil Young, discussing 1995’s “Mirror Ball,” on Monday. Also, I spoke with Taja Cheek of L’Rain about her great new record, “Fata Morgana,” for a special Indiecast video interview.
Ask A Music Critic: Can You Please Review This Pat McAfee Album?
Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Every now and then I like to respond to reader questions like this one. Please feel free to reach out with any pithy or thought-provoking questions via the DM’s! Also: Please pre-order my book! It’s called “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll),” and it’s out Sept. 8.
Neil Young & Crazy Horse's "Sleeps With Angels" (1994)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. This is part three of this month’s series on ’90s Neil Young. Look for my weekly column on Thursday, which will include reviews of several upcoming albums by Weezer, Brandon Flowers, Interpol, and more. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. “It’s better to burn out than to fade away” not only is the most famous lyric ever written by Neil Young, it’s one of the most iconic lines in rock history.
The 2026 "Most Important Indie Stars" Power Rankings
Phoebe Bridgers, circa 2026 Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. This essay is about the new Phoebe Bridgers album “Lost Weekend,” as well as the nature of indie rock stardom in a time of collapsing online music media and my picks for the Top 10 most important indie rock stars, as it stands in 2026. But before we get to that: I am going on tour this fall! It’s for my new book out Sept.
We Asked Jane Schoenbrun Why They Set A Murder Scene To A Counting Crows Classic In Their New Horror Film
About a month ago, my editor reached out and essentially ordered me to sign up for a press junket for a new movie that finally came out in theaters last week. It’s called Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, and it’s a knowingly campy and often quite perceptive horror/comedy written and directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun (I Saw The TV Glow, We’re All Going To The World’s Fair).
The New "Old, Weird America" with Caspian Hollywell of Twisted Teens
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. I have a new book coming out in about a month! It’s called “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll),” and it’s out September 8.
Catalog Club: Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" (1992)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. This is part two of this month’s series on ’90s Neil. Look for a special bonus audio post this week, featuring an interview with one of my favorite bands of 2026, Twisted Teens. Also, my weekly column on Thursday, which will discuss the new Phoebe Bridgers album. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. After the tour with Crazy Horse in support of Ragged Glory, Neil Young (no surprise) shredded his hearing.
Pop's Love Suicide: A Survey of "Alt-Rock Is Dead" Albums From 1996
Yes, it’s true: I own “Fairweather Johnson” on compact disc. Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. In almost exactly one month, my new book will arrive in stores. It’s called “Is This It: The Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll),” it’s out Sept. 8, and you can pre-order it now. In the fall I’ll be doing some book events, all in the Midwest (for now!) I’ll be sharing those dates soon.
My Favorite Songs Of July 2026
Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look out for my weekly column on Thursday. Also! PLEASE consider pre-ordering my upcoming book “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll),” due out September 8. Publishers Weekly calls it a “wry, heartbroken homage. . . . an insightful, entertaining meditation on rock ’n' roll might-have-beens.” I’ll take it! To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. Here are 18 songs I enjoyed from July of 2026.
The Best Strokes Songs, Ranked
The Strokes have, famously, had an up-and-down career. They started on a high with Is This It, and then every album they put out after that was met with mixed-to-hostile reviews, though those records often became better liked (and even beloved) in retrospect. But when you think about their very best tracks — your top 10 faves — The Strokes suddenly seem super consistent. In that context they can stack up against any band of their generation.
The Best Strokes Songs, Ranked
1 hour ago Aaron Rodgers had a lot to say about Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel scandal. Rodgers, 42, returned to The Pat McAfee Show for a live interview on Monday, Aug. 3, in which the Steelers quarterback called out Russini, 43, and said the former Athletic reporter’s alleged affair with Vrabel, 50, could be …
Catalog Club: Neil Young & Crazy Horse's "Ragged Glory" (1990)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look out for a playlist of my favorite songs from July 2026 on Tuesday. And my weekly column on Thursday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. Welcome to the start of ’90s Neil Month! In August, I’ll be discussing the work of one of our greatest artists, during a period when he surged back to the center of rock music.
"Reality Awaits" Will Be Loved By The Next Strokes Album (Which Will Be Hated)
The Strokes in Costa Rica during the making of “Reality Awaits.” (Photo: Johann Rashid) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for part one of “Catalog Club: Neil Young (1990-1996)” on Monday, discussing 1990’s “Ragged Glory.” Also, don’t forget to pre-order my book “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise And Fall Of The Strokes (And Rock ‘‘n’ Roll)” out in just over a month, on Sept. 8. This column is like an epilogue to that book.
Ask A Music Critic: Who Are The Best Lyricists Right Now Under 40?
Kendrick Lamar — shockingly STILL under 40 years old! Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Every now and then I like to respond to reader questions like this one. Please feel free to reach out with any pithy or thought-provoking questions via the DM’s! Also: Look for my weekly column on Thursday, which will review the new Strokes album, “Reality Awaits,” and their ongoing tour.
Catalog Club: Deerhunter's "Monomania" (2013)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Catalog Club. Look for my weekly column on Thursday, which will be about the new Strokes album, “Reality Awaits,” and their current tour. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable.
"The 21st Century is starting now..."
One cool part of this job is that I get to talk to people whose writing — and thinking — I really admire. At the top of that list is Steven Hyden, the author of the “Evil Speakers” Substack (and the forthcoming book about The Strokes — among other things — called “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of the Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll).” Yes, Steven is by trade a music critic. But, at root, he’s an analyst of our culture — where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going.
On Rush's Reunion Tour and Why All Music Is "Nerd Music" Now
Rush’s Alex Lifeson, Anika Nilles, and Geddy Lee in Los Angeles. (Photo: Richard Sibbald) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for the final part of “Catalog Club: Deerhunter (2007-2013)” on Monday, discussing 2013’s “Monomania.” And don’t forget to preorder my book (due September 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” now.
Ask A Music Critic: Should A Music Critic Actually Know How To Play Music?
Rick Beato, possibly getting indignant about Steve Lukather. Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Every now and then I like to respond to reader questions like this one. Please feel free to reach out with any pithy or thought-provoking questions via the DM’s! And don’t forget to preorder my book (due September 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” now.
Catalog Club: Deerhunter's "Halcyon Digest" (2010)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look for my regular column on Thursday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. In part three of “Catalog Club: Deerhunter (2007-2013)” I talk about the album that signifies Deerhunter’s peak in terms of their prominence in indie rock, where they worked with the co-producer of Gnarls Barkley’s St. Elsewhere and Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion and kind of flirted with mainstream acceptance.
Through The Past, Bluesily: The Rolling Stones and Jack White Ride On
Jack White and Mick Jagger in Martin Scorsese’s “Shine A Light” (2008) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for part three of “Catalog Club: Deerhunter (2007-2013)” on Monday, discussing 2010’s “Halcyon Digest.” Also you can preorder my book (due September 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” now. This is an essay about the recent albums “Foreign Tongues” by The Rolling Stones and “Frozen Charlotte” by Jack White.
Catalog Club: Deerhunter's "Microcastle" and "Weird Era Cont." (2008)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. This is part two of “Catalog Club: Deerhunter (2007-2013).” Look for my weekly column on Thursday, discussing recent albums by The Rolling Stones and Jack White. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. In the first installment of this series, I argued that Deerhunter is the greatest pure indie-rock band of the 21st century. Part of that assertion derives from a dichotomy that we’ll call “weird” vs.
Something Is Vacant When I Think It's All Beginning: A Beck Survey
Beck Hansen circa 1993, not to be confused with the singer from Hanson. Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Don’t forget to check out my interview with Charlotte Cornfield. Part two of “Catalog Club: Deerhunter (2007-2013)” goes up Monday, covering 2008’s “Microcastle” and “Weird Era Cont.” Also you can preorder my book (due September 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” now.
In Conversation: Charlotte Cornfield's Canadian Excellence
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look for my weekly column on Thursday. Also you can preorder my book (due September 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” now. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. Charlotte Cornfield’s latest album, Hurts Like Hell, is one of my favorites of 2026 so far.
Miles Hewitt Makes Songs For The End Of The World
An interesting factoid about Miles Hewitt is that he studied poetry at Harvard. It was interesting to me, anyway. I assumed that the talented 31-year-old singer-songwriter would volunteer this in conversation, especially since his background suggests far greater knowledge of what good constitutes “good lyrics” than the music critic interviewing him. But “Harvard” did not come up in our 32-minute conversation until just over 21 minutes in, and only because I was the one who brought it up.
Catalog Club: Deerhunter's "Cryptograms" (2007)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look for a special bonus post this week — an interview with an artist who made my mid-year list, and a favorite of many ES commenters. Also, my weekly column on Thursday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. Welcome to Deerhunter month! In this series I will be talking about possibly the greatest pure indie-rock band of the 21st century. What do I mean by pure?
Jukebox Jury #5: Maybe Partying Will Help
Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for the beginning of “Catalog Club: Deerhunter (2007-2013),” covering 2007’s “Cryptograms.” on Monday. Also you can preorder my book (due September 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” now.
10 ‘Under The Radar’ Indie Albums From 2026 So Far You Need To Hear
Half of 2026 is now over. Many records from the year so far have been praised. But some records have not been praised enough. Here are 10 worthy releases from the first six months of 2026 that are worth checking out if you missed them upon release. Jim E. Brown – Dirt The year’s funniest indie album, bar none. A self-described “19-year-old boy who suffers from various degenerative conditions and alcoholism,” Jim E.
My Favorite Songs Of June 2026
Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for my weekly column on Thursday. Also you can preorder my book (due September 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” now. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. Here are 20 songs I enjoyed from June of 2026. I have written about many of these songs already, and some of them I’ll be writing about in the future.
Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones' "Steel Wheels" (1989)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look for a playlist of my favorite songs from June 2026 tomorrow. And my weekly column on Thursday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. We have reached the end of the eighties, and the end of another Rolling Stones era. In this decade, they put out five albums — after 1989, they put out just five studio records in 37 years, including the forthcoming Foreign Tongues due next month.
Parable of the Two Sons: Justin Townes Earle and Jakob Dylan
Justin and Jakob, righteous journeymen with famous names. Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for the fifth and final part of “Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones (1980-89)” on Monday, covering 1989’s “Steel Wheels.” Also look early next week for a playlist of my favorite songs from June 2026. Don’t forget: You can preorder my upcoming book (due Sept. 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” from BN.com this week and get 25 percent off.
Poll: Is Anthony Fantano Really "The Most Relevant" Music Critic Ever?
Anthony Fantano, embracing his inner Steely Dan sideman Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for my weekly column on Thursday. Also, you can preorder my upcoming book (due Sept. 8) “Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of The Strokes (and Rock ‘n’ Roll)” from BN.com this week and get 25 percent off. Just enter the code “PREORDER25” at this link by Friday June 26.
Is This It: The Never-Ending Rise and Fall of the Strokes (and Rock ’n’ Roll)
Steven Hyden. Da Capo, $30 (288p) ISBN 978-0-3068-3661-9 A celebrated group’s failure to live up to expectations embodies rock’s decline in this wry, heartbroken homage.
Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones' "Dirty Work" (1986)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. This is part four of my series this month called “Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones (1980-89).” Look for my weekly column on Thursday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. We have arrived at the episode you have either been dreading (if you’re a normal person) or looking forward to the most (if you’re a total sicko like I am).
Let's Officially Establish (Finally) The Patio Music Hall Of Fame
This is the coziest looking back porch I could find after looking at Google Images for seven minutes. Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for part four of this month’s series “Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones (1980-89)” on Monday, covering 1986’s “Dirty Work” along with Mick and Keith’s solo records from around that time. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. Some time maybe three years ago, I started doing this silly thing.
Poll: What Are Your Most Anticipated Albums of 2026's Second Half?
John Ross of Wild Pink (Photo: Rafael Vasconcelos) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Please look for my weekly column on Thursday. And don’t forget to celebrate ’80s Stones month. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. While 2026 is not technically half-over yet, I wrote about the year’s best albums so far (according to my own subjective taste, of course) in last week’s column.
Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones' "Undercover" (1983)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. This is part three of an ongoing series called “Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones (1980-89).” Look for my weekly column on Thursday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. In this episode we discuss 1983’s Undercover, which was later described by Mick Jagger as “not a special record.” And most people agree with that.
My Favorite Albums Of 2026 So Far
My New Band Believe … not the band that made one of my favorite albums of 1969. Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for part three of “Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones (1980-89)” on Monday, discussing 1983’s “Undercover.” In this column, I count down my favorite albums of the year up to this point. There are 35 albums in all. The first 25 are listed alphabetically, followed by the top 10 unveiled in order of personal preference.
Poll: What Are Your Favorite Albums Of 2026 So Far?
Aldous Harding — reading her reviews would make her feel better. Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for my column on Thursday where I discuss my favorite albums of 2026 so far. Also, don’t forget to celebrate ’80s Stones Month. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. On the latest Indiecast, I posed a question to Ian I’m not sure we were able to answer. Is 2026 (so far!) a year with no “big” albums?
Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones' "Tattoo You" (1981)
Thank you for reading (and listening to) Evil Speakers. Look for my weekly column on Thursday, which this week will cover my favorite albums of 2026 so far. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable. When it comes to Rolling Stones albums, origin stories matter. And by that I mean the manner in which these albums are made often becomes part of the fabric of how they are discussed and remembered and even beloved — or not beloved.
Narcissus, Icarus, and Lazarus Walk Into A Bar: A John Mayer Survey
John Mayer, before everything (fame, famous actresses, semi-cancellation, Dead & Co., and all the rest), circa 1999. (Source: Facebook.) Thank you for reading Evil Speakers. Look for part two of “Catalog Club: The Rolling Stones (1980-89)” on Monday. To all my paying subscribers — thank you for making this newsletter viable.
The Best Kurt Vile Songs, Ranked
For nearly 20 years, Kurt Vile has been one of the most reliable names in indie rock.
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