Unfortified Castle

I'd been sitting on this song for a while, never imagining I'd write about it for this reason... but it painfully fits the moment.

...and I break it down today to pay tribute to the two robots with human souls who made it.

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

The nostalgia the Smashing Pumpkins evoke isn't rose-colored, but that's fine, if not good; it means their song helps me honestly reflect.

Mario's signature song may seem simple at first, but closer inspection reveals several largely small, but impactful changes throughout.

Miguel's most successful song is a modern configuration of the genre, with an old-fashioned word at its core.

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

John Newman's hit starts slowly, but he soon unleashes its northern soul flavor.

In a pop scene inundated with 80s throwbacks, a tribute to the early 70s is a breath of fresh air and then some.