In The Alternative Number Ones, I'm reviewing every #1 single in the history of the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks/Alternative Songs, starting with the moment that the chart launched in 1988. This ...

Twenty-five years ago, Georgia-based alternative rock band R.E.M. had one of its biggest hits (with one of the weirdest titles). "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" peaked at #10 on the Billboard charts ...

I have a thing for music used in TV commercials. It’s borderline obsessive. A decent chunk of my downloaded music collection comes from songs I heard first in TV ads. Take this Nike spot from 2008, ...

Two weird things intersected — again — on this day in 1995, when a respected U.S. newsman sang the words an assailant had used while attacking him. And the indie rock band R.E.M. played along. The ...