July - 2020

Michael Jackson – “Off The Wall”

The transition from verse to chorus is swift, sudden, and transportive—like stepping onto the dance floor, or entering Oz.

Jul 31, 20209 min read

Bonnie made four albums with her siblings, and then, in 1977, she went solo—just as the remaining Sisters went nuclear.

Jul 27, 20209 min read

Nicolette Larson had talent. She had connections. She was in the right place at the right time. Sometimes, all of that isn’t quite enough.

Jul 24, 20209 min read

Ray, Goodman & Brown reached the Top 5 with a song practically lifted from an earlier era—and a name lifted from an accounting firm.

Jul 20, 20209 min read

“Give It All You Got” might be the only official Olympic song that makes more sense playing over the opening credits of a ’70s cop show.

Jul 17, 202010 min read

“Heartbreaker” is easily the heaviest song of Benatar’s whole career. I’m not sure another comes close.

Jul 13, 202011 min read

“99” is adult-rock at its most immaculate and expensive. Everyone plays with a light touch; even the syncopations sound like laughter.

Jul 10, 20209 min read

It’s all in service of an absurdist character study, presenting a portrait of a man not nearly as clever as he thinks he is.

Jul 6, 20205 min read