Rock 2/5

"Take Me Out" and the art of the slowdown

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.

"American Pie," a memorial to lost innocence as much as lost musicians

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 3, 20224 min read

"American Pie," a memorial to lost innocence as much as lost musicians

As Don McLean captured, "The Day the Music Died" was only the beginning of a period of sweeping cultural change in the United States.

"I Want to Know What Love Is," a power ballad that's more than a cut above

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 28, 20223 min read

"I Want to Know What Love Is," a power ballad that's more than a cut above

Foreigner put lyrics first en route to creating one of the greatest love anthems in all of popular music.

"Black Hole Sun" was my gateway into grunge

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 26, 20223 min read

"Black Hole Sun" was my gateway into grunge

Soundgarden's mainstream breakthrough served as a personal eye- (and ear-) opener, allowing me to appreciate a sound that defined the 90s.

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a Britpop hit unlike any other

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 21, 20224 min read

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a Britpop hit unlike any other

Between its sampling dispute, its distinctive vocal elements, and its point of view, the Verve's enduring anthem leaves a unique impression.

"Sweet Disposition" and the innocence of young love

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.

"Gospel for a New Century": organized anxious chaos

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 17, 20224 min read

"Gospel for a New Century": organized anxious chaos

I got hooked on Yves Tumor's sound from this track alone and the complex internal war it captures.

"Maybe Tomorrow" is 00s alt with a 70s soul

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.

"Sultans of Swing" is pure pub rock with a story of a jazz experience

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 14, 20223 min read

"Sultans of Swing" is pure pub rock with a story of a jazz experience

Dire Straits don't directly echo the music implied by their story, but they embody it just enough to tell a convincing and memorable tale.

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is Baroque pop with plenty of additional intrigue

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 13, 20223 min read

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is Baroque pop with plenty of additional intrigue

A J.S. Bach-inspired structure yields a unique and iconic recording.

The broad political frustration of "Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck"

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 10, 20223 min read

The broad political frustration of "Talkin' Out the Side of Your Neck"

Cameo unload a widespread critique of those in power over the lies they tell with their signature, hard-hitting funk.

"Call Me" and the timeless sound of 1980

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 6, 20223 min read

"Call Me" and the timeless sound of 1980

Blondie's Moroder-produced movie soundtrack anthem presents the state of pop at a sonic inflection point — a sound people still love today.

Small decisions make "Go All the Way" stand out from the pop rock pack

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 5, 20224 min read

Small decisions make "Go All the Way" stand out from the pop rock pack

Little changes go a long way for Eric Carmen and the Raspberries.

Carpenter Brut's cover of "Maniac" places the listener inside the mania

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 3, 20224 min read

Carpenter Brut's cover of "Maniac" places the listener inside the mania

A "darksynth" retooling of a 1980s movie soundtrack classic gives the lyrics and title a much more fitting treatment.

I ring in 2022 with "Comfortably Numb," of all songs

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 1, 20224 min read

I ring in 2022 with "Comfortably Numb," of all songs

Why? It just kind of happened once, and I've kept it up since... but I try to read into it anyway.

"Don't Look Back In Anger" is my New Year's Eve anthem

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 31, 20214 min read

"Don't Look Back In Anger" is my New Year's Eve anthem

Move over, "Imagine" — Oasis provide the perfect soundtrack to changing calendars.

"The Guitar Man" and the sustaining of fame (or lack thereof)

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 29, 20213 min read

"The Guitar Man" and the sustaining of fame (or lack thereof)

Bread's hit celebrates the music maker while also reminding listeners that fame is so often temporary.

Turning a critical ear to "good 4 u," one of 2021's standout pop tracks

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 26, 20214 min read

Turning a critical ear to "good 4 u," one of 2021's standout pop tracks

In Olivia Rodrigo's smash summer hit, I hear what may be an inflection point for pop music in terms of sound and the business of crediting.

Ever-danceable hit "Roll With It" bridges the 60s, 70s, and 80s

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 25, 20213 min read

Ever-danceable hit "Roll With It" bridges the 60s, 70s, and 80s

Steve Winwood struck a balance between older R&B and soul and his own era's pop rock on one of his biggest songs.

"Riders on the Storm," a master class in atmosphere

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 23, 20213 min read

"Riders on the Storm," a master class in atmosphere

The song doesn't even have the word "rain" in it, but its presence is undoubted, as is that of Jim Morrison's most personal character.

Unfortified Castle

Music opinions thrown from a glass house.