Melody is one of the things that keeps a song from floundering, no matter how in-your-face its rhythm and chord structure might be, which is something a lot of spunky punk bands tend to forget. The Damned always kept that well in mind.
Rock
Arts Remembrance: Neil Peart — An Appreciation
Neil Peart was a thinking man’s octopus behind a massive drum and percussion kit that he played with blazing speed and peerless precision.
Book Review: “Rocking the Closet” — Queering the Mainstream
Audiences knew (or at least thought they knew) something was up, and that something was what made these performers unique.
Concert Review: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones — Beloved and Blistering
It may sound oxymoronic, but the Bosstones scream, shout, and agitate for common decency.
Concert Review: Blueswoman Samantha Fish — Promise Galore
While Samantha Fish shines with her guitar work on the new album, she impressed more with her singing live.
Concert Review: Tedeschi Trucks Band — Even Now, Still Evolving
Each concert offered all that the Tedeschi Trucks Band can do.
Music Feature: The Tedeschi Trucks Band — Home for the Holidays
The Tedeschi Trucks Band is capping another remarkable year of transition and growth, some of it spurred by tragedy.
Concert Review: Robyn Hitchcock — Reigning Godfather of Mind Expansion Music
The Brit-born iteration of mind-expansion music — from Syd Barrett onward — favors clever wordplay and musical accessibility.
Rock Concert Review: FKA Twigs –Renaissance Woman
Nearly halfway into the set, Twigs finally turned to Magdalene, which casts an empowering light on Jesus Christ’s female companion — and stands among 2019’s best albums.
Rock Concert Review: Bob Dylan at the Tsongas Center — Nothing if Not Chameleonic
But really, what is a Bob Dylan concert these days if not a case study in transformation?