Queens of the Stone Age Played Long Game with ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’
Circumstances surrounding Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’ forced the band to transition and double down on their iconic brand of alternative rock.
All Things Reconsidered
Hallelujah for Bruce Springsteen’s Definitive “Hail Mary” Album
Bruce Springsteen wrote his Hail Mary album while in purgatory – unwilling to return to tavern gigs yet unsure how to take the next step toward the promised land.
Soundgarden Were Popular Heroes of the Video Game Age
Screaming Life was the authentic sound of grunge and set Soundgarden on course to become the Led Zeppelin of the video game age.
40 Years of the Cure’s First True Surrealist Pop Album
Forty-year-old The Head on the Door propelled the Cure toward arena stature with its musical cohesion and a collection of hallucinatory yet accessible songs.
Remembering For Against’s Brilliant Post-Punk Classic
Coalesced is For Against’s masterpiece, creating cinematic sonic spaces to function as containers for insular expressions of self-doubt, regret, and victory.
‘We Stand On Guard’ Goes to War Against Canada
Published in 2015, comics series We Stand on Guard speculates a near-future war between the US and Canada.
Bloc Party Discovered Lightning in a Bottle 20 Years Ago
Bloc Party’s first and best record, championed by Franz Ferdinand, still captivates with its youthful energy, political commentary, and emotional center.
Aimee Mann Launched Brilliant Second Act with ‘Bachelor No. 2’
Aimee Mann is a survivor, wizened by experience but willing to keep going with a bit of hope, and Bachelor No. 2 is the peak of her powers.
When “Hocus Pocus” Guitar God Jan Akkerman Went Kind of Blue
Jan Akkerman’s discography is vast and ranges from rock to jazz to classical works, several including solo performances on the guitar forerunner, the lute.
30 Years of Alison Krauss’ Country Music Breakthrough
Even if the world only knew Alison Krauss from ‘Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection’, her place in country music history would be assured.
Culture/All Things Reconsidered/Featured: Top of Home Page/Features/Film/Podcasts/Politics/Television
Dark Comedy ‘Patriot’ Illuminates Neoliberalism’s Dark Reality
The dark comedy Patriot illuminates how neoliberalism makes choices for us disguisedly, using entrepreneurial agency as a fig leaf to obscure manipulation.
Belly’s 1995 Album ‘King’ Surprised with Its Rock Sound
Belly’s rock-oriented follow-up, King, to their dream pop debut, Star, didn’t deserve its fate. It showcases a talented group stretching their sound.