Benjamin Kassel
"Tainted Love": a cover that defined the 80s sound
Soft Cell weren't the originators of this song, new wave, or synth-pop, but their take on Gloria Jones set the stage for a decade of music.
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Benjamin Kassel
Feb 10, 20223 min read
"Cruel Summer" fits the mood during a heatwave
...which, through yesterday's post, I may have caused. Sorry, folks. But enjoy Bananarama regardless.
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.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 18, 20214 min read
Heart elevate "Alone" with their cover by understanding its message
Yes, it's a cover, and yes, they made a couple small changes that really make their version superior to its predecessors.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 12, 20213 min read
"Here Comes the Rain Again" and a lesson on the second scale degree
Bear with me, because this is actually pretty cool in the context of this song.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 15, 20215 min read
This is a "Land of Confusion," but we have the power to change that
Genesis capture the strife which penetrates our world on all levels, while also leaving the door open for humanity to still work things out.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 28, 20214 min read
Yes, I wrote a serious article about "The Safety Dance"
Given both the song's origins and its more modern use, it honestly makes a good amount of sense to approach the topic in this way.
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?
Benjamin Kassel
Sep 10, 20216 min read
"Never Tear Us Apart" is a beautiful song on its own...
...but the INXS gem becomes even more special in the context of one Australian rules football team, who will hear it at home tonight.
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