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 26, 20223 min read
"I'm So Excited" has a lot going on under its surface
The Pointer Sisters' eternally catchy hit is more than meets the ear.
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
Dec 6, 20213 min read
"Waterfalls" combines contemporary theming with morality
TLC, fully immersed in the social world of the mid-90s, remind listeners they can find a way out of the darkness by being their own light.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 5, 20213 min read
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World": Happy? Sad? Both?
It's Dead Week, and my existential dread is peaking once more.
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.
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