Ripe with Rich Attainments: Jethro Tull’s ‘A Passion Play’, Reassessed
A Passion Play tends to draw the most resistance from even prog-rock aficionados; it obliges time and attention to let it work its charms.
Sean Murphy
Sean Murphy has been publishing fiction, reviews (music, movie, book, food), and essays on the technology industry for almost twenty years. During his time at PopMatters he has written extensively about music, movies, and books, and his column "The Amazing Pudding" celebrates all-things Prog-Rock. His memoir Please Talk about Me When I'm Gone was published in 2013; his novel Not To Mention a Nice Life in 2015. Murphy is currently the writer-in-residence at the Noepe Center for Literary Arts on Martha's Vineyard. Visit him online at @bullmurph and http://seanmurphy.net/.
The Holy Trinity: Genesis
During this three album stretch, Genesis evinced as much growth and glory as any of their prog brethren, and the banner they raised still casts a huge and heavy shadow over everything that followed.
Don Drummond Was One of the Five Best Trombonists to Ever Play the Instrument
One comes away from Don Drummond with a clearer sense of who the man was and why he is considered by many to be the best musician so few people have ever heard of.
Aram Bajakian: There Were Flowers Also in Hell
Aram Bajakian's second album is a testament of his love affair with the guitar.
We’ve Seen This Movie Before: Trying to Make Sense of Philip Seymour Hoffman
The death of Philip Seymour Hoffman hurts more than the typical "gone too soon" tragedy because we are being robbed of an artist performing at the height of his considerable powers.
Howard Sounes’ ’27’ Has That Train Wreck Kind of Appeal
This is an exhaustive, if exhausting analysis of the debauchery and bad decisions that link the most famous members of the "27 Club".
Beware Soaring Yarmulkes! Jon Madof and Zion8 Are Making World Music for a New World
With Zion80, Jon Madof is not making a departure so much as a logical, if inspired, continuation of the ground he’s covered the past decade.
