essay Archive
23 Jun 2026
Music Blurbs, Vol. 23
Ben Folds Combining musical virtuosity with a punk sensibility, Ben Folds emerged on the scene during the ‘90s alternative rock era. Notably lacking a guitarist, Ben Folds Five crafted a […]
22 Jun 2026
Music Blurbs, Vol. 22
Lamb of God Formed in Richmond, Virginia, heavy metal band Lamb of God is most certainly not a religiously-themed group. Instead, the group fronted by vocalist Randy Blythe trades in […]
19 Jun 2026
Take Five: ‘70s Guest Spots featuring Peter Frampton
Guitarist and singer Peter Frampton is best known for his juggernaut 1976 double album Frampton Comes Alive. The release that sparked the mid-decade live album craze, Frampton Comes Alive remains […]
09 Jun 2026
Take Five: Timely Alt-rock Songs from Minneapolis
There’s a proud – and sometimes overlooked – tradition of social protest in the lyrics of rock and roll songs. Sometimes listeners merely gloss over what is a direct critique […]
08 Jun 2026
Take Five: Early Classics from The Fabulous Thunderbirds
In an era during which MTV reigned supreme in the pop music world, the Fabulous Thunderbirds helped bring the blues and r&b into the mainstream. Launched in Austin, Texas in […]
29 May 2026
Take Five: Classic Tracks from 10cc
From its formation through its peak, British art-pop band 10cc was something of a supergroup. Formed as Hotlegs, the band featured hit songwriter Graham Gouldman (composer of the Yardbirds’ “For […]
21 Apr 2026
Take Five: Great Tracks featuring Aynsley Dunbar
Few drummers in the history of rock have a résumé as varied and extensive as Aynsley Dunbar. The Liverpool-born musician and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has worked […]
09 Apr 2026
Take Five: Notable Bob Weir Tunes
Giants in the music world, the Grateful Dead made music that did more than span and transcend genres; it created new ones. Between their launch in San Francisco in the […]
08 Apr 2026
Music Blurbs, Vol. 21
KT Tunstall Scotland-born and Grammy-nominated musician, singer and songwriter KT Tunstall burst onto the scene in 2004 with a bravura and revolutionary solo performance on popular UK program Later… With […]
07 Apr 2026
Take Five: Non-Pat Benatar Credits from Neil Giraldo
Neil Giraldo is one of those artists who’s an integral part of the success of projects with which he’s involved. But because he’s something of a behind-the-scenes personality, the important […]