Commentary Archive
The Legacy of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks
March 13, 2014
Astral Weeks comes up whenever the routine discussion of “The Best Albums of All Time” takes place, a rare feat for an album whose stylistic classification is so blurry. Not that the lack of a labeled genre matters, though. Van Morrison concocts a fleeting sound comprised of folk, jazz, blues, and classical music, presented with
John Legend’s Greatest Collaborations
March 9, 2014
Arguably the smoothest soul singer of his generation, John Legend kick-started his career writing for and performing with artists including Alicia Keys and Janet Jackson before signing to Kanye West’s label in 2003. Now on his way to reaching the status of his stage name, the potential heir to Marvin Gaye’s throne has impressively continued
How Neil Young Affected the Sound of the Grunge Movement
March 8, 2014
Neil Young’s illustrious discography can be daunting for even longtime fans. With 35 full-lengths and dozens of live and tribute albums, it’s impossible to concisely classify his sound. Folk, country, and rock dominate much of his material, but Young’s sheer willingness to stretch out his stylistic boundaries – throughout every decade of his career –
Why ‘Born to Run’ Was Such a Groundbreaking Album for Bruce Springsteen
February 25, 2014
Of all the albums throughout Bruce Springsteen’s illustrious career, Born to Run may be his most defining. It was the album that launched Springsteen into rock icon status, aided partly by the time period in which the album was released. When Born to Run was released in August 1975, there was a lack of leading
American Idol’s Worst Auditions
February 3, 2014
American Idol may have launched the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Lambert, just to name a few, but at the other end of the spectrum, it’s also given a platform to some of the most deluded, tone-deaf and downright weird wannabe singers in the country. Here’s a look at some of the
Kid Rock’s Most Controversial Moments
February 2, 2014
Any notion that the chart-topping success of 2007’s Rock N Roll Jesus may have finally transformed Kid Rock into a model of respectability were quashed four years later when the rock-rap redneck found himself in the midst of a civil rights controversy. Handed the National Association for Advancement of Colored People’s Great Expectation Award due
Digging into Mumford & Sons Strong Literary Influences
January 23, 2014
For a group whose meshing of rock and folk is so accessible, Mumford & Sons have a surprisingly intricate grasp of the literary classics. Their incorporation of these influences into their music will appear subtle to most listeners who enjoy their radio hits like “I Will Wait” and “Little Lion Man,” but those more invested
Best Things Peter Gabriel Has Done Since Splitting with Genesis
January 12, 2014
Peter Gabriel has forever been immortalized as the first leader of Genesis, one of music’s finest prog-rock bands. His ambition was always present during his tenure with the band, and it sometimes clashed with other members’ desire for more accessibility and air play. Gabriel’s behavior throughout Genesis’ The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway tour was
Vampire Weekend’s Afro-Pop Influence
January 5, 2014
As their eponymous debut shot up the indie charts upon release in 2008, Vampire Weekend became the mainstream face of indie-pop. Understandably, most music fans are not keenly aware of current and fading stylistic trends in independent music. Most have no clue about the likes of chillwave, jangle-pop revivalism, or the plethora of other movements
Widespread Panic’s Variety of Influences
January 4, 2014
Widespread Panic released their first album in 1988, several decades after the first jam bands rose to prominence. Their approach was initially labeled by critics as simply more of the same jam-band fare, despite delivering a melodic punch of Southern-rock with hints of jazz, blues, and even Celtic folk. Widespread Panic were not The Grateful
