Leonard Cohen Exits with Bravado on “You Want it Darker”
September 21, 2016. Leonard Cohen awakens on today, his 82nd birthday. Cohen has always been an unapologetic minimalist. Visitors to his humble house a few steps from Montreal’s Rue St. Laurent have always commented on the bare walls, the bare rooms (save for perhaps a single chair or settee,) so it’s clear that he likely […]
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy Visits the Confessional on “I See A Darkness”
For ordinary recording artists, dreams reside in a non-tangible arena. They frolic in that place where wild, unattainable thoughts can gallop at their will, rest in the recesses, and drink from the trough of “someday” as desired. It’s the year 2000. Will Oldham has, less than a year ago, released his debut album under his […]
Antony Hegarty Emerges from their Cocoon on “Frankenstein”
Feeling disconnected from society, even in fleeting periods of one’s life, is something to which most can relate. By our 30s, we have navigated childhood, high school, the labyrinth of social acceptance, sexual identity, perhaps post-secondary education, entering the adult workforce, etc. The list of tribulations is vast and, despite being navigable, undoubtedly contributes to […]
Jeff Buckley Forewarns and Foreshadows on “Dream Brother”
If you are unaware of Jeff Buckley or the unprecedented footprint he left on the music industry with the release of one album, then read about your favorite artist’s influences. Chances are his name will pop up without delay. 1994’s Grace garnered instant fandom among cultural titans. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page cried upon meeting Buckley […]
“Kathleen” by Townes Van Zandt: The Most Important Artist You’ve Never Heard Of
Most music fans – of any age – are likely not acquainted with the name or catalog of a man named Townes Van Zandt. Almost every music fan, however, is likely familiar with the iconic musicians who cite Van Zandt, one of America’s all-time greatest singer-songwriters, as a major influence. Outspoken admirers of Van Zandt […]
“Hell is Round the Corner” – Tricky’s Guide to the Inner City Blues
Bristol, England’s Knowle West estates could not be further departed from the serene tranquility of nearby Somerset. While geographically close, they are two worlds that meet at exactly zero points. Knowle West is an inner city project where theft, violent crime, prison time, and very little opportunity are THE realities of life for generations. Conversely, […]
Placebo Flirts with Introspection on “Without You I’m Nothing”
It’s 1998. Music, namely popular music, is going through a wash/repeat/rinse cycle. Gone are the turn-of-the-decade ear-opening experimentalism of Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. Gone are their offspring of the seismic grunge movement. Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden have all literally disbanded. What follows, commercially at least, is the equivalent of accidentally adding bleach […]
Feist Excavates Decaying Relationships on “The Bad in Each Other”
Met·tle /ˈmedl/NounA person’s ability to cope well with difficulties or to face a demanding situation in a spirited and resilient way. It’s early in 2011 and Feist, having just finished recording her fourth album, is happily considering the final strokes. In social and family circles, one of the most frequent questions she receives is “What […]
Loss/Love/Loss: Radiohead’s “True Love Waits”
It’s December 5, 1995, and Radiohead have just closed their set at the Luna Theater in Brussels, Belgium with their newest single “Fake Plastic Trees.” Expectantly, the crowd awaits the encore that is surely coming. Having played most stage-worthy songs in their 2-record catalog, what breed of rabbit could they possibly pull from their hat […]
Retrospective Review: Alice in Chains Unplug and Narrow a Chasm on “Brother”
April 10, 1996. As the lineup of anxiously excited fans gather outside of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the conversations are all undoubtedly similar. “How do you think they’ll sound?” “How do you think he’ll sound?” It has, after all, been almost three years since anybody has heard or seen Alice in Chains perform live. […]
