Rock 4/5

"I Get Around" is early Beach Boys in a nutshell

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 23, 20214 min read

"I Get Around" is early Beach Boys in a nutshell

It may not be their signature tune (if you can even narrow that down to one), but it's an indicative slice of their formative sound.

The soft but captivating "Wicked Game" set the stage for the modern 'love song'

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 22, 20214 min read

The soft but captivating "Wicked Game" set the stage for the modern 'love song'

Few songs haunt like Chris Isaak's signature hit and the unavoidable attraction it describes.

"Smoke from a Distant Fire," a polished, way-too-catchy master class in figurative lyrics

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 20, 20214 min read

"Smoke from a Distant Fire," a polished, way-too-catchy master class in figurative lyrics

Perhaps my favorite 70s one-hit wonder has a great narrative build which really pays off in its latter half.

Behind the ultra-80s pop of "Love Is a Battlefield" is a powerful message on the reality of romance

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 16, 20214 min read

Behind the ultra-80s pop of "Love Is a Battlefield" is a powerful message on the reality of romance

Why does it feel like so few songs even remotely touch on the theme of working through relationships?

"People of the Pride": wait, this is Coldplay? ...Actually, it totally is

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 15, 20215 min read

"People of the Pride": wait, this is Coldplay? ...Actually, it totally is

While a departure from their known sound, this highlight from their new album — over a decade in the works — fits the band's character.

As we're often painfully reminded, "Time" only moves forward

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 13, 20214 min read

As we're often painfully reminded, "Time" only moves forward

Alan Parsons and company tenderly embrace this fact in a song that can soundtrack the end of many things.

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 11, 20214 min read

"Hard to Beat" lives up to its name

It's a shame most Americans don't know this dance-inducing indie/garage gem.

"Glory Days" and why it shouldn't be played at baseball games

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 7, 20214 min read

"Glory Days" and why it shouldn't be played at baseball games

...ehh, who cares? Enough people have already misheard it that it doesn't even matter.

"Stuck in the Middle with You," a story of clowns, jokers, and an industry

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 3, 20214 min read

"Stuck in the Middle with You," a story of clowns, jokers, and an industry

"Trying to make sense of it all" (read: this tune) led me down some pretty interesting paths.

"Watermelon Sugar" has been the world's summery anthem for... how long now?

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 2, 20214 min read

"Watermelon Sugar" has been the world's summery anthem for... how long now?

At least now we know what it's about.

"Dancing in the Moonlight" is the sound of harmless joy and escape...

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 1, 20214 min read

"Dancing in the Moonlight" is the sound of harmless joy and escape...

It's light, it's upbeat... and the context in which it was written definitely explains its sound.

"Spiderwebs" and the trouble of getting oneself free

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 27, 20214 min read

"Spiderwebs" and the trouble of getting oneself free

This ska punk jam has one of the most unique origin stories for a track I've ever heard — one which makes me question my own life a bit.

"She's Not There" combines various influences into a stirring pop rock hit

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 26, 20214 min read

"She's Not There" combines various influences into a stirring pop rock hit

The title of the Zombies' jumpstart single is an answer, but it, along with the rest of the song, only breeds more questions.

"Second Chance" shows the power of paying attention to the little things as much as the big picture

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 25, 20216 min read

"Second Chance" shows the power of paying attention to the little things as much as the big picture

It sounds like a lot of tracks from its era, but its creators' attention to detail and its dramatic but relatable lyrics make it stand out.

"Fast Car" isn't the feel-good track some people think it is... or is it?

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 23, 20214 min read

"Fast Car" isn't the feel-good track some people think it is... or is it?

Tracy Chapman speaks of lost potential, but there might just be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 19, 20215 min read

"Sweetness" and the power of "whoa"

The most powerful and catchiest vocal lines don't necessarily need words.

"Tiny Dancer" ever so slowly builds to something magical

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 18, 20214 min read

"Tiny Dancer" ever so slowly builds to something magical

Some pop songs could be cut short and still feel somewhat satisfying. "Tiny Dancer," simply put, is not one of those songs.

On "Love Rears Its Ugly Head," its opening sample, and the reading they provide together

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 17, 20215 min read

On "Love Rears Its Ugly Head," its opening sample, and the reading they provide together

A standout track of the early 90s is even more intriguing when one applies the context of its introduction to the rest of the track.

Atonement involves recognizing my “Dark Necessities”

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 15, 20215 min read

Atonement involves recognizing my “Dark Necessities”

Yom Kippur offers me the opportunity to reflect as I bare my soul in the hope of bettering myself.

"All Things Must Pass," the life truth with which we all grapple

Benjamin Kassel

Sep 11, 20213 min read

"All Things Must Pass," the life truth with which we all grapple

George Harrison's reflection on the ephemeral nature of life and the world takes on a more profound meaning on this day.

Unfortified Castle

Music opinions thrown from a glass house.