New Zion Trio: Fight Against Babylon
Sean MurphyZelig-like, Jamie Saft has been an indefatigable fixture in the downtown NYC music scene. Equal parts MVP and unsung hero, his presence—as player, producer and composer—is at once daunting and…
Howard Tate, R.I.P.
Not a lot of fanfare surrounded the death of Howard Tate (a couple of obits here and here). In a sad, sadly typical way, this is appropriate, since there was…
Jethro Tull’s ‘Aqualung’: Even Better Than You Thought It Was
Whatever one’s feelings about progressive rock, Jethro Tull’s Aqualung is a rare album that remains at once part of, and above, the fray. It is, to be certain, a cornerstone…
Hubert Sumlin, R.I.P.
Another giant of whom we'll never see the likes of again has left the planet. R.I.P. Hubert Sumlin. I'll resist the urge to say it's the least they could do,…
The Past Is Calling: Reconsidering The Who’s ‘Quadrophenia’
Most popular Who album? No. Most important Who album? No. Most influential Who album? No. Best Who album? Definitely. More: Best album of the ‘70s? Probably. More? Best rock album,…
The Whiteness of the Whale: Remembering The White Album (Revisited)
Therefore, in his other moods, symbolize whatever grand or gracious thing he will by whiteness, no man can deny that in its profoundest idealized significance it calls up a peculiar…
Black Magic: 15 Essential Black Sabbath Songs
Yes, they created the template for heavy metal and thrash, but even now it’s instructive to acknowledge just how unique Black Sabbath was; how different from anything else anyone was…
Why Not Pink Floyd?
The Pink Floyd Discovery Studio Album Box Set I. See Saw I have recently listened to every single song from every single Pink Floyd album, do you don’t have to.…
Huntsman is…Hip?
Hard to quibble with this: Huntsman: I'd have to say that I like Trout Mask Replica, which came out in '68, all the way…
Introducing Aram Bajakian
My review of Aram Bajakian's remarkable debut Aram Bajakian's Kef dropped yesterday at Popmatters. (check it out here). It's not too early to predict that this will end up as one of…