Sean Murphy loves music, books, and movies and can’t imagine a world without sub-titles. He was born in northern Virginia and has never found a compelling reason to leave. He studied English at George Mason University and has an MA in Literature. One of his thesis papers dealt with the utopian impulse in ‘70s rock (which, depending upon one’s perspective, at least partially explains why he opted not to purse that PhD in Cultural Studies). During his time at PopMatters he has written music and movie reviews, along with the occasional essay. Despite living just outside DC, he remains recalcitrant in his conviction that paychecks mean less than personal fulfillment and that the pursuit of peace is not ironic. Endorses, in no particular order: anyone who is similarly allergic to right-wing radio and reality TV, the Red Sox, miniature schnauzers, Pho and Blanton’s single barrel bourbon. Ambition: to write the pretty-good American novel. Other stuff, too: http://bullmurph.com/
Features
Tuesday, November 29 2011
The Past Is Calling: Reconsidering The Who’s 'Quadrophenia'
Everything Pete Townshend did up until 1973 set the stage for Quadrophenia. It’s all in there: the pre-teen angst, the teenage agonies and the post-teen despondency.
Friday, November 11 2011
Why Not Pink Floyd?
Pink Floyd is perhaps the first truly underground band that cultivated a sound that was too remarkable to remain obscure. They willed themselves to be huge, and their influence is undiminished today.
Monday, October 24 2011
Drag the Dream Into Existence: Reassessing Rush’s Masterpiece
Moving Pictures is, without any question, not only Rush’s masterpiece, but one of those rare albums that epitomizes an era. It's a template of sorts for the way rock albums were made in the early '80s.
Thursday, September 22 2011
R.E.M.: The Greatest American Band. Ever.
Where R.E.M -- like any band -- really distances themselves and makes their true case for greatness is in the lesser-known and semi-obscure songs.
Tuesday, August 2 2011
10 Albums That Supposedly Suck (But Don't)
Some of these are hopefully no-brainers, others may be head-scratchers. All of them are albums that deserve a fresh appraisal.
Columns
Friday, April 9 2010
Hellraisers: They Lived This Way Because Nobody Else Could
These guys were geniuses at life: living fully on their own terms, and after all the broken glass, bludgeoned livers, and wrecked relationships, the sum shined brighter than the scattered bits and pieces.
Reviews
Monday, May 14 2012
Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson: Thick As a Brick 2
Ian Anderson, who has cycled through sidemen the way his more hedonistic compatriots once speed-dialed through dealers, has yet another cast of characters for this recording.
Friday, January 13 2012
Human Connections, Missed Connections, Chance Connections: 'Three Colors: Blue, White, Red'
Krzysztof Kieślowski avoids explicit political and religious tautology to make a case for faith that is wholly human -- and humane.
Friday, January 6 2012
Gentle Giant: Three Friends / Octopus
It would be a shame if Gentle Giant did not receive another (or first) assessment, particularly for would-be fans who simply have not had the opportunity to experience their music.
Friday, December 16 2011
Jimi Hendrix Experience: Winterland
Hendrix, perhaps more than any rock guitarist (before or since) was willing -- and able -- to improvise, so it’s intriguing to hear his ever-evolving interpretations of these familiar songs.
Thursday, December 15 2011
New Zion Trio: Fight Against Babylon
Where Saft's previous Reggae-tinged efforts used distortion and dissonance to create a sort of ambient dub soundscape, his New Zion Trio seeks clarity and concision.
Blogs
Tuesday, May 1 2012
Levon Helm: So Real It Makes You Believe
I can't imagine music without Levon Helm. I can't imagine my world without Levon Helm. Fortunately I'll never have to.
Wednesday, February 29 2012
Print the Legend: The Man in Black at 80
The late Johnny Cash (who would've turned 80 this month) was a combination of Keith Richards, Elvis Presley, and Public Enemy. Only he did it first, and no one before or since ever did it quite like him.
Thursday, February 16 2012
Whitney Houston and the Wages of Fame
Pop diva Whitney Houston's death this past weekend was sad, yet not wholly unexpected -- nor were the efforts to instantly beatify the singer, a response common in regards to celebrities who die prematurely and as a result of their own appetite for destruction.
Thursday, February 9 2012
Ben Gazzara and The End Of An Aura
Ben Gazzara: 1930 - 2012. What can you say about Gazzara? He was relevant in every decade going back to the '50s.
Friday, February 3 2012
Don Cornelius: Rest in Peace, Love, and Soul
Soul Train creator/host Don Cornelius will be remembered--and should hereafter be celebrated--for giving a voice to Black America, and he should also be acknowledged—and praised—for making White America less white.
