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Benjamin Kassel
Mar 23, 20223 min read
"Time in a Bottle" and the ephemerality of life
Jim Croce's ballad is never an easy listen for me, especially now as I think of major life changes coming in the short term.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 21, 20223 min read
OneRepublic's original cut of "Apologize" remains a sentimental favorite
My 210th Senior Year Soundtrack selection is a staple of 2000s pop... sort of.
Benjamin Kassel
Mar 20, 20223 min read
"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.
Benjamin Kassel
Feb 1, 20223 min read
I felt down, but "KEEP IT UP" helped me be a bit more positive
Rex Orange County's new release is a simple indie pop slice that speaks to the drive one gets from valuing themself and their endeavors.
Benjamin Kassel
Jan 18, 20223 min read
"Sweet Disposition" and the innocence of young love
The Temper Trap's indie anthem soundtracks a nostalgia-driven afternoon walk in the aftermath of classes restarting.
Benjamin Kassel
Jan 2, 20223 min read
"Call On Me" — but not the one you're probably thinking of — is a call for perseverance
Between its beat and its lyrics, Ryan Riback's retouching of Starley's dance-pop number is one of my favorite productions from the late 10s.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 29, 20213 min read
"The Guitar Man" and the sustaining of fame (or lack thereof)
Bread's hit celebrates the music maker while also reminding listeners that fame is so often temporary.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 27, 20214 min read
DubVision's remix of "Ocean" sonically captures an emotional reunion
In examining a complete revamping of a pop production, I think of how stylistic choices can change our perception of a melody and lyrics.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 24, 20214 min read
I come to Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" in my own time of pain
It's a powerful reminder of the wide-ranging consequences of not taking care of oneself.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 22, 20213 min read
Joni Mitchell's re-recording of "Both Sides, Now" fully captures its lyrical essence
I'm far too young to truly appreciate the meaning this song carries, but I'll take a stab at discussing it anyway.
Benjamin Kassel
Dec 16, 20215 min read
"Never Forget You" captures the emotions of remembering past friends
The memories will always be there, and Zara Larsson and MNEK's presentation of working through them really resonates with me.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 23, 20213 min read
Few modern instrumentals capture me like "Bloodflow" does
Grandbrothers blur the boundary between classical and electronic worlds with this powerful, piano-driven production.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 22, 20214 min read
From Adele to her son and within herself, "My Little Love" presents a grappling with divorce
A standout from her new record, the string-guided track breaks new ground for Adele in just how personal she allows her narrative to be.
Benjamin Kassel
Nov 12, 20215 min read
The 10-minute version of "All Too Well" is a pop magnum opus
10 minutes, 13 seconds. 111 lines of lyrics. It's a daunting feat to attempt, but Taylor Swift passed her own test with flying colors.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 29, 20214 min read
Bob Sinclar and Steve Edwards say, "World, Hold On"... but how do we do that?
And to what exactly are we supposed to hold on? Well, the answer is... a lot of things.
Benjamin Kassel
Oct 18, 20214 min read
On "Cranes in the Sky" and attempting to break free from a cycle of distractions
In trying to be productive post-heartbreak, Solange captures the difficulty in resolving to face our most pressing problems.
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