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
But MTV relishes its vestigial role as a star maker, so every year it puts all its clout into making the VMAs the biggest, splashiest, loudest show-biz extravaganza of the year, honoring all this music for existing, after a year of paying barely any attention to it. Rob Sheffield attentionbarelybig share on social
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
Thank you for the music, Sleater-Kinney. This gang of three was the best American punk rock band ever. Ever. Rob Sheffield americanbandgang Change image and share on social
Anyone watching '30 Rock' always knew Tina Fey was playing a fictionalized version of herself, a workaholic comedy writer who also plays one on TV. She's the boss; Liz Lemon just works here. Rob Sheffield boscomedyfey Change image and share on social
Hometown Aerosmith fans are different from other Aerosmith fans, and that mainly has to do with Joe Perry. It's tough to overstate his strange grip on the local psyche. Tyler is a star who belongs to the whole world, but Perry, that dude belongs to Boston. Rob Sheffield aerosmithbelongboston share on social
'Drive,' that's the one. I love dozens of songs by R.E.M., but that's the one, even though it took me 7 or 8 years to start liking it. Rob Sheffield dozendrivelike Change image and share on social
'American Horror' goes for a very specific kind of Seventies suburban downer ambience - 'Flowers in the Attic' paperbacks, Black Sabbath album covers and late-night flicks like 'Let's Scare Jessica to Death.' It even has 'Go Ask Alice'-era urban legends. Rob Sheffield albumaliceambience share on social
You can hear the Celtic heartbeat all over Europe and America, from Bing Crosby to Jack White, from the Smiths to My Bloody Valentine, from House of Pain to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. Rob Sheffield americabingbloody Change image and 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
