Jordan Blum

Jordan Blum is a writer at PopMatters, as well as a contributor to PROG, Consequence of Sound, Kerrang!, The Recording Academy/GRAMMYS, The Prog Report, Metal Injection, and more. He's the author of two books— On Track: Jethro Tull and On Track: Dream Theater—and is currently working on a third in the series (about Opeth). Beyond that, he's the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Bookends Review and he teaches writing at various colleges around the Philly area.
Between the Grooves: Green Day – ‘American Idiot’

Between the Grooves: Green Day – ‘American Idiot’

Part social commentary and part fictional narrative, Green Day's American Idiot came out of nowhere and impressed with its biting political subversion, exploration of teenage angst, love, and uncertainty, and perhaps most importantly, brilliant structures, transitions, and overall cohesion.

Steven Wilson Goes Electronic on ‘The Future Bites’

Steven Wilson Goes Electronic on ‘The Future Bites’

The Future Bites objectively deserves applause for perpetuating Steven Wilson's integrity and creativity, even if it's a markedly—and perhaps intentionally—divisive collection, too.

The 10 Best Progressive Rock/Metal Albums of 2020

The 10 Best Progressive Rock/Metal Albums of 2020

Rather than succumb to the difficulties of our era, many progressive creators doubled down on their artistry to produce some of their best work and tighten their relationships with their admirers.

The Reign of Kindo Discuss Why We’re Truly “Better Off Together”

The Reign of Kindo Discuss Why We’re Truly “Better Off Together”

The Reign of Kindo's Joseph Secchiaroli delves deep into their latest single and future plans, as well as how COVID-19 has affected not only the band but America as a whole.

Tiphanie Doucet’s “You and I” Is an Exercise in Pastoral Poignancy (premiere)

Tiphanie Doucet’s “You and I” Is an Exercise in Pastoral Poignancy (premiere)

French singer-songwriter Tiphanie Doucet gives a glimpse of her upcoming EP, Painted Blue, via the sublimely sentimental ode, "You and I".

Sufjan Stevens’ ‘The Ascension’ Is Mostly Captivating

Sufjan Stevens’ ‘The Ascension’ Is Mostly Captivating

Even though Sufjan Stevens' The Ascension is sometimes too formulaic or trivial to linger, it's still a very good, enjoyable effort.

Will Wood Works His Madcap Magic on “BlackBoxWarrior – OKULTRA [Live in Studio]” (premiere)

Will Wood Works His Madcap Magic on “BlackBoxWarrior – OKULTRA [Live in Studio]” (premiere)

Mixing characteristic singer-songwriter refinement with wacky orchestral flair, "BlackBoxWarrior - OKULTRA" demonstrates what makes Will Wood's The Normal Album so praiseworthy.

GOD’s ‘God IV – Revelation’ Is a Towering Feat of Theologically-Tinged Prog Metal (album stream)

GOD’s ‘God IV – Revelation’ Is a Towering Feat of Theologically-Tinged Prog Metal (album stream)

GOD's God IV - Revelation is beautiful and brutal in equal measure. It's a masterful series of compositions. Hear it in full today before tomorrow's release.

‘Switched-On Seeker’ Is an Imaginative Electronic Reimagining of Mikal Cronin’s Latest LP

‘Switched-On Seeker’ Is an Imaginative Electronic Reimagining of Mikal Cronin’s Latest LP

Listeners who prefer dense rock/pop timbres will no doubt prefer Mikal Cronin's 'Seeker'. However, 'Switched-On Seeker' will surely delight fans of smaller-scale electronic filters.

Rush’s ‘Permanent Waves’ Endures with Faultless Commercial Complexity

Rush’s ‘Permanent Waves’ Endures with Faultless Commercial Complexity

Forty years later, Rush's ability to strike a nearly perfect balance between mainstream invitingness and exclusory complexity is even more evident and remarkable. The progressive rock classic, Permanent Waves, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The 1975’s ‘Notes on a Conditional Form’ Is Laudably Thought-Provoking and Thrilling

The 1975’s ‘Notes on a Conditional Form’ Is Laudably Thought-Provoking and Thrilling

The 1975 follow A Brief Inquiry... with an even more intriguing, sprawling, and chameleonic song suite. Notes on a Conditional Form shows a level of unquenchable ambition, creativity, and outspoken curiosity that's rarely felt in popular music today.

There Are No Slip-Ups on Badly Drawn Boy’s ‘Banana Skin Shoes’

There Are No Slip-Ups on Badly Drawn Boy’s ‘Banana Skin Shoes’

After a ten-year hiatus, British pop master Badly Drawn Boy returns with a wonderful mix of cathartic quandaries and boisterous quirks on Banana Skin Shoes.

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