Portishead Lets Us Down Softly on “Roads”
Are we there yet? Undoubtedly, reading this question likely conjures one imagined scenario: A long, less-than-exhilarating road trip, where anticipation of some form of accomplishment or great adventure fuels and fills the passing miles. One could argue that life is a nearly-imperceptible reflection of a long, arduous road trip, and that is precisely where Portishead […]
R.E.M. Highlights Squandered Opportunity on “Sweetness Follows”
Listen here my sister and my brother What would you care if you lost the otherI always wonder why did we bother Distanced from one, blind to the other It’s often said that less is more. True across many facets of life, it’s perhaps nowhere more impactful than in R.E.M.’s minimalistic, tortured tale of lost […]
Radiohead’s “Spectre”: Hollywood’s Spectacular Blunder
It’s 2015. Radiohead have their plates spinning and their heads full. Positioned squarely in the deep end of recording what will be 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool, a piece of attention-grabbing news comes down the barrel and stops them in their creative tracks. Sam Mendes, director of the new James Bond movie and, coincidentally, a […]
Shannon Hoon Makes Time for Grandma on “Vernie”
For music acts lucky enough to find substantial success with their debut album, there quickly arises an asterisk, and it adheres to every achievement, accolade, and royalty dollar earned from such swift and vast successes. That asterisk is the age-old “sophomoric album test.” Have they spent all of their artistic integrity and ability, pent up […]
“Keep Talking”: Pink Floyd’s Starkly Accurate Warning to Humankind
One could make a valid case for the 1990s being the last decade of true, unadulterated human experience. A new yet unobtrusive invention called ‘the internet’ is, in its infancy, skirting the corners of society. Mobile phones won’t be a ‘must have’ until the turn of the next century, and most communication is conducted in […]
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 […]
