strings | Unfortified Castle

"Where is the Love": seventies soul done right

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 26, 20223 min read

"Where is the Love": seventies soul done right

Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's duo is my favorite of the multiple songs with this title.

OneRepublic's original cut of "Apologize" remains a sentimental favorite

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.

I needed the calmness of "Black Water" tonight

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 13, 20223 min read

I needed the calmness of "Black Water" tonight

I'm stressed as [CENSORED]. This Doobie Brothers gem helped mitigate that a bit.

"Could It Be Magic": From Chopin to Manilow — with a slight detour

Benjamin Kassel

Mar 1, 20223 min read

"Could It Be Magic": From Chopin to Manilow — with a slight detour

This site is dedicated to discussion of popular music, but explaining today's choice necessitates a flashback to the Romantic era.

"Ain't No Sunshine" is a clinic in musical succinctness

Benjamin Kassel

Feb 21, 20223 min read

"Ain't No Sunshine" is a clinic in musical succinctness

125 seconds. 26 "I know"s. Four chords. One perfectly short piece of art.

I felt down, but "KEEP IT UP" helped me be a bit more positive

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.

I'd been hoping for a Years & Years collaboration like "Sweet Talker," and it delivered

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 23, 20223 min read

I'd been hoping for a Years & Years collaboration like "Sweet Talker," and it delivered

Olly Alexander finally making a true house track — alongside Galantis — was an excellent decision in the production of his first solo album.

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a Britpop hit unlike any other

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 21, 20224 min read

"Bitter Sweet Symphony" is a Britpop hit unlike any other

Between its sampling dispute, its distinctive vocal elements, and its point of view, the Verve's enduring anthem leaves a unique impression.

I ring in 2022 with "Comfortably Numb," of all songs

Benjamin Kassel

Jan 1, 20224 min read

I ring in 2022 with "Comfortably Numb," of all songs

Why? It just kind of happened once, and I've kept it up since... but I try to read into it anyway.

"Don't Look Back In Anger" is my New Year's Eve anthem

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 31, 20214 min read

"Don't Look Back In Anger" is my New Year's Eve anthem

Move over, "Imagine" — Oasis provide the perfect soundtrack to changing calendars.

Joni Mitchell's re-recording of "Both Sides, Now" fully captures its lyrical essence

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.

"Life on Mars?": or, when Bowie outdid Frankie

Benjamin Kassel

Dec 17, 20215 min read

"Life on Mars?": or, when Bowie outdid Frankie

I celebrate and tell the story of my very favorite track from the Starman on the golden anniversary of its initial release.

"Here Comes the Rain Again" and a lesson on the second scale degree

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

Dec 11, 20214 min read

Tommy Roe's key changes make me "Dizzy"

...but the song has more than just that to offer. It ends up lending itself to a discussion on risk taking in pop writing and production.

"Let Me Love You," a beautiful 21st-century ballad with a lot going on under its surface

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 30, 20215 min read

"Let Me Love You," a beautiful 21st-century ballad with a lot going on under its surface

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

From Adele to her son and within herself, "My Little Love" presents a grappling with divorce

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.

"Someone To You" and the effects of the simple desire to be loved

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 20, 20213 min read

"Someone To You" and the effects of the simple desire to be loved

BANNERS displays the longing for a feeling he may not really know... but the way he does it is compelling.

As the Temptations say, "Get Ready" for what lies ahead in the near future

Benjamin Kassel

Nov 14, 20213 min read

As the Temptations say, "Get Ready" for what lies ahead in the near future

In my excitement for this coming week, I hear this tune capturing my eagerness to go full speed ahead into these next few days.

"Kiss from a Rose" yields a momentary, yet troubling warmth

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 25, 20214 min read

"Kiss from a Rose" yields a momentary, yet troubling warmth

Much more than a movie ballad, Seal's signature song deals with a duality between love and addiction for its entire duration.

"People, I've been sad" perfectly captures how the world has been as of late...

Benjamin Kassel

Oct 21, 20214 min read

"People, I've been sad" perfectly captures how the world has been as of late...

Last year, Christine and the Queens delivered a song which became increasingly poignant in the months following its release.