Benjamin KasselFeb 28, 20225 minConfronting my past through "This Is Gospel"*deep breath* This is a pretty personal piece, but that's because of what this song means and has meant to me.
Benjamin KasselJan 17, 20224 min"That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" is uniquely structured in its depressive dealingsI was first drawn to this Smiths track by its odd form, but with every listen, I feel a deeper connection to the lyrics and their setting.
Benjamin KasselDec 25, 20214 minI come to Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" in my own time of painIt's a powerful reminder of the wide-ranging consequences of not taking care of oneself.
Benjamin KasselNov 12, 20214 min"Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" Our veterans certainly haveIn a thousand-yard stare of a song, CCR — contrary to many other artists — reflect on how darkness can always penetrate the light.
Benjamin KasselNov 9, 20214 minGetting up from your "Falls" is what countsWith a more restrained, yet emotive break, ODESZA reminded me that nothing is to be gained from wallowing in one's pessimism.
Benjamin KasselNov 6, 20215 minWith "One Headlight," the Wallflowers resolutely navigate toward better daysJakob Dylan and company paint the end of youthful innocence as a time for reaffirming oneself and continuing to move forward.
Benjamin KasselOct 17, 20214 min"Hyperballad" stands the test of time... and honestly, we've yet to reach its timeA quarter-century after its release, Björk's ethereal dream sequence song still sounds like it's ahead of our current musical era.
Benjamin KasselSep 22, 20214 minHappy on a Wednesday? At the very least, I'm "Way Less Sad"AJR present a quite positive, but easily embraceable lens on present-day living in one of the year's best pop tracks.
Benjamin KasselSep 20, 20215 minIs an everyman a "Parasite"?Nick Drake presents the difficulty of looking past the negativity that lies on the world's surface.