This is the blog of Alfred Soto, freelance music critic, film writer, political commentator, and generalist. I’ve written for SPIN, Slate, The Miami Herald, The Village Voice, The Quietus, and Red Bull Music Academy, among others.
Twitter: @SotoAlfred
Email: soto.alfred AT gmail DOT com
Humanizing The Vacuum 
You are an absolutely brilliant man. I love all of your prose; it is well-crafted, thoughtful, and sagacious. I was planning to Netflix and chill this evening, but I could not stop reading your thoughts.
You are too kind. Thanks for reading!
Gen Xer here. Just stumbled on your blog and….this is GREAT! Many thanks for this island of observations and commentary. Sonny Came Home-blech indeed. And I am groovin’ on this Chic page wrap.
Thank you for reading. You’ll find lots of material here.
Another summer Go-Betweens listening fit is on me — so I found this and enjoyed it very much.
(p.s. comment intended for your Go-Betweens ranking post…)
Thank you for commenting, and it’s nice to meet you.
Amazing and useful blog. I would observe that your wide use of language incurs a lower proportion of mouth breathing readers, but like Umberto Eco… that maybe your goal. I’ve enjoyed the dive.
Obviously a man of very little taste
I googled “My Girl Bill” after it invaded my mind one sleepless COVID evening at 3am. I found your blog — hilarious! Thank you. You nailed its homophobia perfectly.
Thanks for reading.
Has there ever been anything more boring or predictable than whiny gay liberals who tow the line? Yawn
Is there anything more inevitable than a rude fascist asshole with nothing to say?
Idk if I’m late to the party, but I can’t stop reading this stuff. Especially the music articles from the 90’s. I was just a kid, but I can remember it now. Your take on most of it is dead-on, and often very funny. Adding this site to my favorites, which I didn’t expect to be doing at 3a.m., but I suppose that’s how the Rabbit hole works!
I try not to disappoint. Thanks for reading.
Can you explain more about how your ranking system works?
Good to Great
Products of the imagination from which I derive consistent pleasure.
Sound, Solid
Products of the imagination from which I derive occasional pleasure. On further review I can promote or demote them.
Meh
Product of the imagination inspiring a shrug but graced with a couple worthwhile moments.
The Hague
Human rights violations subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
I like those categories. And within each, are the items ranked? i.e. best of the bunch is first in the list or last in the list?
For the most part. The ranking gets less arduous as we descend.
Hi; Your site was recently name checked by Robert Christgau. I enjoy your lists and perspectives. I am hoping that by checking below I will be subscribed going forward. Thanks much,
Michael Craig
Vancouver
PS; Bowie’s Last Dance his second worst album? Hilarious (not a huge Bowie fan but endured a full summer of said album being overplayed everywhere)
Thanks!
Let’s Dance is not his second worst album!
I’m mainly a jazz aficionado, but I’m well acquainted with a wide range of popular music. I appreciate your music rankings and they have assisted me with digging deeper with several artists. At the risk of exposing how late to the party I am, I loved your reconsideration of your previous reconsideration of Luther Vandross. Great stuff!