Recent articles
July 15, 2026
Talking About My Generation
What do I think about Boomers? Do you really want to know?
www.honest-broker.com
July 12, 2026
The 10 Greatest Failures of Orson Welles
Sometimes misses are as important as hits
www.honest-broker.com
July 8, 2026
12 YouTube Videos I'm Enjoying Right Now
Today I cover everything from fashion tips to career advice—and also lots of good music
www.honest-broker.com
July 6, 2026
What You Won't Learn About the Odyssey from a Movie
Christopher Nolan's film version makes its debut in London today
www.honest-broker.com
July 3, 2026
What Is My American Identity, Really?
And who gets to decide it?
www.honest-broker.com
July 1, 2026
Healing Sounds Are the Medical Miracle of the 21st Century
It sounds like sci-fi, but it's all coming true.
www.honest-broker.com
June 28, 2026
I Get Such Amazing Emails from Readers
Here are some of them.
www.honest-broker.com
June 26, 2026
The Tech Backlash Gets Nastier—and Funnier
An update on fake tech ads, data poisoning, airplane protests, and Homer Simpson as a tool in the war against slop
www.honest-broker.com
June 24, 2026
Spotify Stock Has Collapsed 40%—What's Going On?
It's even worse at Netflix. Have streaming platforms peaked?
www.honest-broker.com
June 21, 2026
Authenticity in Music
In a world of AI slop, where do we find something real?
www.honest-broker.com
June 16, 2026
A Reading List for the End of Civilization
I’m releasing this essay from behind the paywall.
www.honest-broker.com
June 15, 2026
I Get Duped into Buying an AI Slop Book
And updates on cancel culture, counterclockwise dances, millionaires who pay to conduct orchestras, etc.
www.honest-broker.com
June 12, 2026
Objective Standards Really Do Exist in Music
And the New York Times is caught in the middle of the argument
www.honest-broker.com
June 9, 2026
The 50 Essential Western Films
I pick the definitive movies in the genre. Here's the first (of three) installments.
www.honest-broker.com
June 6, 2026
Help Me Create the Ultimate Playlist of Songs about American Life
Today is Open Mic Day at The Honest Broker
www.honest-broker.com
June 4, 2026
Can You Run the Music Industry without Musicians?
We will now find out
www.honest-broker.com
June 1, 2026
Ten New Albums I'm Recommending Right Now
Warning: strange soul-stirring sounds ahead!
www.honest-broker.com
May 30, 2026
How to Destroy a Literary Reputation in One Move
Media companies invent a new kind of stupid
www.honest-broker.com
May 28, 2026
Is Spotify Vulnerable?
Rival streamer Qobuz grew more than 200% in one year—while Spotify struggles to attract new users
www.honest-broker.com
May 26, 2026
An Uncanny Moment for Jazz Lovers
Sonny Rollins dies the day before the Miles Davis centenary
www.honest-broker.com
May 24, 2026
What I'm Hearing from Readers
It’s painful to admit, but the comments emails from readers are sometimes better than my articles. Here are some recent responses.
www.honest-broker.com
May 22, 2026
Anti-AI Laws Now Get Unanimous Support from Left & Right
In just three years, Silicon Valley has destroyed its entire support network. It's still in denial—but that won't last.
www.honest-broker.com
May 20, 2026
65 of My Favorite Quotations
Ranging widely from Seneca to Ringo Starr
www.honest-broker.com
May 17, 2026
The Hottest Musician in 2026 Is 'Problematic' Michael Jackson
And that's exactly what the music business wants
www.honest-broker.com
May 12, 2026
Rick Beato Versus the NY Times
The backlash over the best songwriter list intensifies
www.honest-broker.com
May 11, 2026
How to Tell If You're Living in a Binary Crisis
And how to get out of it
www.honest-broker.com
May 9, 2026
72 Hours in New Orleans
I came. I saw. I ate beignets.
www.honest-broker.com
May 7, 2026
My 9 Rules of Criticism
Advice to wannabe reviewers
www.honest-broker.com
May 4, 2026
The Fantastic Nicknames of Jazz
If you’re a jazz fan, see how many of the nicknames in the poem below you can identify.
www.honest-broker.com
May 2, 2026
12 New YouTube Videos I'm Recommending Right Now
Including the trendiest band of the current moment
www.honest-broker.com