July 7: When The Two Sevens Clash (Revisited)
Sean MurphyJuly 7, 1977: When the two sevens clash. You can, and should, appreciate Culture's masterpiece all days of the year, but on July 7 you better recognize. I wrote about…
The Doors: America’s Star-Spangled Band (Revisited)
The 4th of July presents an at least two irresistible reasons to talk about The Doors. One: Jim Morrison took his last bath on July 3, 1971 in Paris. R.I.P.…
Blessed Blackness & Holiday Fireworks from the Godfather of Soul
On this most American of weekends, it seems appropriate --if not obligatory-- to celebrate the most American of geniuses. It does not get any more American than James Brown, does…
The Boss, The Big Man and the Best Rock Song of the ’70s (Revisited)
When the change was made uptown and the Big Man joined the band... The rest was history, wasn't it? I am, of course, quoting from "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", the second…
Four Albums and a Film: The Best Summer Entertainment*
The Congos - Heart of the Congos (1977) Great art knows no seasons. Nevertheless, some music is made for—or at least can be fully appreciated during—specific times of the year.…
Neither Fleeting Nor Helpless: Fleet Foxes’ Instant Masterpiece
A couple of years ago as I assessed what I considered to be the best 50 rock albums of the last decade, I had this to say about the Fleet…
Revisiting The Heart of the Congos
Great art knows no seasons. Nevertheless, some music is made for—or at least can be fully appreciated during—specific times of the year. Reggae music, which many people still believe means…
The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time: Part Five
5. Genesis, "Watcher of the Skies" The mellotron certainly had its time and place. It became overused, a crutch for bands hoping to mimic the sounds made by bands like…
The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time: Part Four
10. The Who, “Underture” The Who were not a prog-rock band. While both Tommy and The Who Sell Out could—and should—be considered crucial touchstones that helped pave the way, Pete…
The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time: Part Three
15. Pink Floyd, “Dogs” No band besides The Beatles departed (or progressed) more radically from their initial sound than Pink Floyd. After the kaleidoscopic whimsy of their early work and…