1967 and the Prog-Rock Progenitors* (Revisited)
Sean MurphyProgressive 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…
A Week of Americana. Part Three: The Doors
If the discussion is going to turn to American rock bands, it would be impossible to avoid R.E.M. Fortunately, I already dealt with their legacy and am on record declaring…
Ray Manzarek: The Key to the Doors
When it comes to this great American band’s legacy, the best thing about the Doors is also the worst thing about the Doors: Jim Morrison. Blessed with one of the…
Ray Manzarek, R.I.P.
I knew I'd have to deal with this one of these days. So many of my favorite old-school rock legends died when I was young, or before I was born…
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…
Say Anything (Revisited)
It could have been a great story. Boy moves across the country (actually across the town, but at age nine it’s the same difference), girl moves into house across the…
Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine: Part Two
Picking up where we left off yesterday (which, in case you missed it, is HERE) and continuing the celebration (of the lizard), let's pick five more vintage vinyls. If your…
Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine*: Part One
Merry Christmas to me. So, a year or so ago I did something I'd been meaning --and promising-- to do for ages: I acquired a turntable. I knew it was…
12/12/12: 12 Songs for the Apocalypse
It's not the end of the world, and I feel fine. But if it was, I would want all these songs to accompany me as we spiraled down the metaphysical…