When the National Anthem Was Simply Terrible: Gimme Five
Let’s hope whoever sings the National Anthem at tonight’s Super Bowl does better than this. They almost have to, right?
Spotlight
Why Neutral Milk Hotel’s ‘In an Aeroplane Over the Sea’ Still Very Much Matters
Released 25 years ago today, Neutral Milk Hotel’s ‘In an Aeroplane Over the Sea’ is still magical, inexplicable and a fresh alternative to everything else out there.
How Van Halen’s Jaw-Dropping First Album Ruined My Sex Life (Again)
Van Halen’s self-titled debut arrived 45 years ago this week with a cover photo that was kind of primal and unhinged. I just knew I had to have it.
Returning to One of Yes’ Most Overlooked Eras: ‘The Ladder’
John M. Gouldin breaks down five less-heralded albums Yes released between 1996-2001, continuing with 1999’s ‘The Ladder.’
Van Der Graaf Generator – ‘The Bath Forum Concert’ (2022)
This well-recorded 2022 concert from the Bath Forum finds Peter Hammill and Van Der Graaf Generator in superb vocal and instrumental form.
Bob Mintzer, Snarky Puppy, Grace Fox + Others: Big Bands, Big Sounds and Big Results
Big band music: What does that mean? Apparently a lot of different things to a lot of different musicians.
How Velvet Underground Created the DIY Movement With ‘White Light / White Heat’
The Velvet Underground released ‘White Light / White Heat’ 55 years ago this week. Lou Reed later rightly described it as “the Statue of Liberty of punk.”
Returning to One of Yes’ Most Overlooked Eras: ‘Open Your Eyes’
John M. Gouldin breaks down five less-heralded albums Yes released between 1996-2001, continuing with 1997’s ‘Open Your Eyes.’
Blue Cheer Set a New Rock Standard With ‘Vincebus Eruptum’
Louder than Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Blue Cheer arrived 55 years ago this month as something radical – even by the era’s standards of anything goes.
Returning to One of Yes’ Most Overlooked Eras: ‘Keys to Ascension’ + ‘Keys to Ascension 2’
John M. Gouldin is breaking down five less-heralded albums Yes released between 1996-2001, beginning with the ‘Keys to Ascension’ projects.
