Mal Waldron’s Ecstatic Minimalism Mal Waldron’s Ecstatic Minimalism
The jazz pianist’s style was simple, but the themes that gave shape to his music were not.
Jul 26, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Adam Shatz
The Poetics of Jazz The Poetics of Jazz
A new book presents an alternative aesthetic history of jazz—and is also a challenge to all music critics.
Jul 20, 2017 / David B. Hobbs
The Spirit of Prog Rock The Spirit of Prog Rock
Its creative ambitions were engulfed by its pretensions.
Jul 13, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
The Summer of Love Is Far More Relevant Today Than You Think The Summer of Love Is Far More Relevant Today Than You Think
Fifty years later, the hippies’ rebellion against the national security state is more important than ever.
Jun 19, 2017 / Ira Chernus
Adapting ‘Angels in America’ Adapting ‘Angels in America’
Sometimes, adaptation is a form of redundancy. This new opera, based on Tony Kushner’s 1992 play, is something stirring in its own way and unexpectedly timely.
Jun 16, 2017 / David Hajdu
Incremental and Slow In Coming Incremental and Slow In Coming
What needs to be said but shouldn’t be noteworthy: All three honorees for the Pulitzer Prize in Music were women.
May 31, 2017 / David Hajdu
Doesn’t Every Political Resistance Need a Soundtrack? Doesn’t Every Political Resistance Need a Soundtrack?
In their efforts to protest Trump’s ascension as soon as possible, more than one artist has recast an existing song with lyrics applicable to the current crisis.
May 16, 2017 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu
‘Everybody’ Has Something to Say About Logic ‘Everybody’ Has Something to Say About Logic
Logic is an adept lyricist known for speedy, tongue-twisting flows, and yet much of the public narrative about the rapper fixates on the way he looks.
May 12, 2017 / Marcus J. Moore
MUNA’s Total Honesty MUNA’s Total Honesty
The LA pop trio’s greatest strength is its willingness to name the enemy.
May 10, 2017 / Books & the Arts / Laura Snapes
Kendrick Lamar’s Statement of Faith Kendrick Lamar’s Statement of Faith
With his excellent fourth album, DAMN., the rapper has given us an album that is as concerned with America as it is with God.
Apr 28, 2017 / Marcus J. Moore