Advertisements All I have is my love of love, and love is not loving. Today my beloved entrée to the land of concept albums, the record whose production quality still bears the standard, the galaxy’s greatest release by a metafictional band, turns 50. Similar to past honorary breakdowns (see here and here), I now breakContinue reading “Inspirations have I none…”
Tag Archives: #classicrock
So Long, Freddie
Advertisements In which I prolong the goodbye Today marks thirty years since Freddie Mercury, or the former Farrokh Bulsara, left us for a world where everyone’s inner ear finally matches his. He had something like a four-octave range, he could play the piano upside down, and he rocked a fur coat better than he hadContinue reading “So Long, Freddie”
In the Garage with the Revolver
Advertisements Or, a breakdown This is the last spiel about a record turning 55, I swear. It’s my boys and it’s maybe their greatest album (the case has been made) and it’s one I’ve come to really love as an adult and I had to. Song I’ve loved from the start: “I’m Only Sleeping” SongContinue reading “In the Garage with the Revolver”
Happy birthday, Bob!
Advertisements In which I count a love minus zero On Monday the greatest lyrical poet of his generation turned 80. I’m going to eschew songwriter, although (or perhaps because) plenty call him that unhesitatingly—many artists of that generation, male and female, produced songs and/or albums that could justify their bid for the title. But hisContinue reading “Happy birthday, Bob!”
Album Review: SONGS OF INNOCENCE
Advertisements In which I celebrate an uncelebrated curio Surprise! You thought you’d left this album in the dust, huh? Apple product users will remember it as the one that automatically streamed when U2 released it nearly six years ago. As an involuntary addition to millions of music libraries, it was largely unwelcome; people griped aboutContinue reading “Album Review: SONGS OF INNOCENCE”
Anti-Show-Ponying
Advertisements In which I ponder the virtues of not playing to the room Lately I’ve stumbled upon a wealth of bootlegs (audio and video) of early R.E.M. shows. As the kids say, it’s giving me life. This owes partly to the sheer volume of the catalogue: there are so many songs, some popping up yearsContinue reading “Anti-Show-Ponying”
Write Your Own Eagles Song
Advertisements In which I record a recipe of sorts You will need: A healthy dose of ennui A thorough knowledge of California Access to incomprehensible amounts of cocaine (think enough to have to scrape out of a mixing board post-session) Instructions: Begin on the topic of a female—specifically a “woman,” never a “girl.” Create asContinue reading “Write Your Own Eagles Song”