Albert Hofmann, R.I.P.
Sean MurphyTalk about better living through chemistry! Albert Hofmann, the chemist who invented/discovered LSD, has passed away at the dignified, enviable age of 102. On April 16, 1943, he made history. On…
Ten Songs From 1967 That Shaped Prog-Rock
1. "Heroes and Villains", The Beach Boys What has tended to get lost or forgotten in the shuffle of sensationalistic trivia (of the infamously aborted SMiLE sessions) is that Wilson…
1967 and the Prog-Rock Progenitors*
Progressive rock reached its full potential in the ‘70s, but its roots trace back to the previous decade. While an attempt to determine when and with whom prog-rock formally originated…
The Once and Future King: ‘SMiLE’ and Brian Wilson’s Very American Dream
What if I were to tell you the 21st Century has already produced its great American novel? And what if I told you it was actually written almost five decades…
A Week of Americana. Part Six: Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet (R.I.P.), with his idiosyncracies, individuality and iconoclasm, represents virtually everything that is profoundly beautiful about America both as a concept and actuality. Like his compatriots Syd Barrett…
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.…
Joy Division and the Genius of Humanity
Transmission 4x. Original: From the excellent movie Control: Playmobil Stop Motion: Caribbean steel-band: What else is there to say? (Here is some of what I said last November): If you…
Five From The Yardbirds To Remember Keith Relf
Keith Relf. Who? Exactly. Quite possibly the best vocalist you've never heard of, you still have heard him if you are passingly familiar with rock music. Trust me. He was…
O Captain! My Captain!: The Unique Magic of Don Van Vliet
As Ian Anderson said, “We’re getting a bit short on heroes lately.” And Ian, while he wasn’t speaking of Don Van Vliet, nevertheless would --and has— endorsed the man better known…
A Dose Of Dennis Miller With An Ian Curtis Chaser
I saw something the other night that really depressed me. It concerns a genius who, for a variety of reasons, could not maintain control. His implosion can be attributed to many of the usual ailments:…