Benjamin Kassel
"Galvanize" both pumps me up and gets me dancing
The Chemical Brothers' hit mixes elements from both sides of 2000 into one of the most recognizable songs of its time.
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Benjamin Kassel
Mar 21, 20223 min read
OneRepublic's original cut of "Apologize" remains a sentimental favorite
My 210th Senior Year Soundtrack selection is a staple of 2000s pop... sort of.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 17, 20223 min read
Tracking my changing relationship with "Hearts Burst Into Fire"
It's a fitting song to soundtrack my return home... but that's a pretty new way for me to approach it.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 16, 20224 min read
"B.O.B": misunderstood frantic goodness
Outkast's magnum opus has taken on quite an interesting life since its 2000 release.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 10, 20223 min read
"She Wants to Move": Hard for me to define, easy for me to love
Simply put, it's N.E.R.D — that says more than any genre label.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 6, 20223 min read
"Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground" is my top pick from the 2000s garage revival
The White Stripes' 2001 single showcases their unmistakable sound in my favorite ways.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 2, 20224 min read
I appreciate "Day 'n' Nite" now more than I ever did before
I only came around to hip hop a few years ago, but more recent developments make it resonate with me even more now.
Benjamin Kassel
Feb 22, 20225 min read
"Digital Love" is my favorite electronic track of all time
...and I break it down today to pay tribute to the two robots with human souls who made it.
Benjamin Kassel
Feb 18, 20225 min read
"Toxicity" exhibits masterful mediation of contrast
My old System of a Down favorite is extreme in its timbral changes, but musically consistent — a recipe for an intense, engaging listen.
Benjamin Kassel
Feb 6, 20224 min read
"Take Me Out" and the art of the slowdown
It's hard to pull off an energetic downward tempo shift, but that's exactly what Franz Ferdinand did, and I love it.
Benjamin Kassel
Jan 27, 20224 min read
In "Burning in the Sun," an early Coldplay-esque sound meets bluegrass influences
With the employment of a mandolin, Blue Merle gave a sound I love a twist I never expected, but one I thoroughly enjoy.
Benjamin Kassel
Jan 18, 20223 min read
"Sweet Disposition" and the innocence of young love
The Temper Trap's indie anthem soundtracks a nostalgia-driven afternoon walk in the aftermath of classes restarting.
Benjamin Kassel
Jan 15, 20223 min read
"Maybe Tomorrow" is 00s alt with a 70s soul
Kelly Jones and Stereophonics call back to the generation before them with their R&B influenced post-Britpop.
Benjamin Kassel
Jan 11, 20223 min read
"aNYway" is house formed straight from its disco roots
Duck Sauce create "disco's revenge" by sampling the genre that preceded it, paying tribute to New York in the process.
Benjamin Kassel
Jan 8, 20224 min read
"Crystalised" presents the inner monologues that persist in relationships
The xx's debut single explores the fragility of love through two partners' ever-present individual thoughts.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 30, 20214 min read
"Kids" makes us think back to simpler times... with heavy consequences
MGMT's tribute to youth is far from rose-colored, reminding us of just how much we impact the world from the day we're thrown into it.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 24, 20214 min read
I come to Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" in my own time of pain
It's a powerful reminder of the wide-ranging consequences of not taking care of oneself.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 22, 20213 min read
Joni Mitchell's re-recording of "Both Sides, Now" fully captures its lyrical essence
I'm far too young to truly appreciate the meaning this song carries, but I'll take a stab at discussing it anyway.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 20, 20213 min read
"White Winter Hymnal" is an odd song to be associated with Christmas
A lyrical analysis displays why and then some.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 13, 20214 min read
"I'm Not Alone": a self-reckoning on self-destruction
Who knew that a house track could breed such philosophical discussion?
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