ZZ Top “La Grange” (1973)
Is the funniest thing about ZZ Top the fact that 2 of its 3 members are famed for their massive signature beards, and the 3rd member who completely lacks one is named – it’s true – Frank Beard? Well if not then it must be their song content. I recently heard ‘Tube Snake Boogie,’ the...... Read More
The Dungeon // Fatboy Slim “The Rockafeller Skank” (1998)
The word ‘literally’ is literally misused most of the time. Generally when you hear it spoken it’s for emphasis and not to be taken, well, literally. Still, on a night in 2001 in the joyous city of New Orleans, I literally…literally…thought I was going to die. There are a lot of great bars in New...... Read More
The Human Beinz “Nobody But Me” (1968)
Ever wonder what the most negative song in rock history is? No? NO? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. That’s the opening, ah, verse (?) of ‘Nobody But Me’ – just...... Read More
Neko Case “Bad Luck” (2018)
The Song Of The Summer, that unofficial title bestowed on the one intoxicating, exhilarating song each year whose arrival and subsequent omnipresence best define the musical zeitgeist of the steamy, celebratory season finally again upon us today. Or maybe it’s just the tune you’re most likely to hear at the beach. Looking back over the...... Read More
Rolling Stones “Before They Make Me Run” (1978)
It’s said that only cockroaches will survive a nuclear event, but I’d suggest cockroaches and Keith Richards. Keith is 75 and seems about double that; He doesn’t look to have been merely touched by father time, he looks like father time gave him a nasty beating. But against all logic this Stone is still rolling...... Read More
Booker T. & the M.G.’s “Green Onions” (1962)
Three minutes of simple perfection. Is Green Onions by Booker T. and the MG's simply the greatest rock instrumental ever?... Read More
America “Ventura Highway” (1972)
Prince of thieves: how Prince stole his most iconic two words - purple rain - from America's Ventura Highway... Read More
Jackson Browne “Daddy’s Tune” (1976)
A Jackson Browne classic "Daddy's Tune" and a tribute to all dads - on Father's Day or any day.... Read More
Cake “Short Skirt / Long Jacket” (2001)
No popular music incorporates the highly complex percussion instrument the vibraslap more so than the band Cake. But what's a vibraslap, you ask..... Read More
Grateful Dead “Box Of Rain” (1970)
It was a long, strange trip to learn to appreciate the greatness of The Grateful Dead, and it took separating The Dead from Deadheads.... Read More