Articles by: Perplexio

John Wetton, Imagine Dragons, John Barry + Others: Five Songs That Cut Me to the Core

John Wetton, Imagine Dragons, John Barry + Others: Five Songs That Cut Me to the Core

Here’s a look back at songs by John Barry, Imagine Dragons and John Wetton – both with King Crimson and as a solo artist – that stir my emotions.

How Laura Branigan’s Passion and Emotion Live On Without Her

How Laura Branigan’s Passion and Emotion Live On Without Her

Gone now almost 20 years, Laura Branigan’s impact went far beyond ’80s-era Top 10 singles like “Gloria,” “Solitaire” and “Self Control.”

Why ‘Out of Time’ Finally Settled the Rolling Stones vs. Beatles Debate for Me

Why ‘Out of Time’ Finally Settled the Rolling Stones vs. Beatles Debate for Me

In the age-old question of Beatles or Rolling Stones, I’ve spent much of my life quite firmly in the Beatles camp. Then everything changed.

Why the Weird Specificity of ‘MacArthur Park’ Actually Works

Why the Weird Specificity of ‘MacArthur Park’ Actually Works

If we’ve had and lost love, we know what it’s like to remember minute details like those in Jimmy Webb’s “MacArthur Park.”

Vinyl

King Crimson, Fleetwood Mac, Supertramp + Others: My Top 10 Vinyl Spins

In 2021, my vinyl collection grew substantially — and for me, it’s evolved into a bit of an addiction.

Chicago, “America” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “America” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

My parents advised me growing up that if I can’t say something nice, I shouldn’t say anything at all.

Chicago, “Now” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Now” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park

What does it say about the state of this band when Chicago doesn’t even phone it in for the best track on ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’?

Chicago, “Already Gone” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Already Gone” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

“Already Gone” shows once again that ‘Chicago XXX’ isn’t a bad album. It’s a good album that was just ruined by poor production.

Gerard – ‘Gerard’ (1976): Forgotten Series

Gerard – ‘Gerard’ (1976): Forgotten Series

In retrospect, it’s not hard to see why this copycat-sounding self-titled debut is their only LP. ‘Gerard’ is perhaps the best Chicago album of the era.

Chicago, “Come to Me, Do” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Come to Me, Do” from ‘Chicago XXX’ (2006): Saturdays in the Park

“Come to Me, Do” is perhaps the best track Robert Lamm has contributed to Chicago since “Over and Over” on 1986’s ‘Chicago 18.’