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Much of the album is fueled by loss, trauma, and the like, leading to some of the band’s most heartfelt and memorable songwriting.
The Mars Volta’s Self-Titled Album is a Simpler Yet Wholly Satisfying Return
Jordan Blum
There’s never been another band quite like The Mars Volta. The Texan troupe — spearheaded by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala — grew out of post-hardcore outfit At the Drive-In and became one of the most distinctive rock bands of the 2000s. By fusing a host of different…
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The Mars Volta’s Self-Titled Album is a Simpler Yet Wholly Satisfying Return
Jordan Blum
While still fast-paced and funny, the long-running animated spy comedy largely forgets about its lost matriarch.
Archer Season 13 Retains the Show’s Signature Amusement and Absurdity: Review
Jordan Blum
The Pitch: Typically, the longer a hit program goes on, the harder it is for it to maintain its quality and relevance. Thus, Archer’s ability to mostly preserve its trademark wittiness, ridiculousness, and audaciousness across 12 seasons (and 12 years) is commendable. Admittedly, some fans and reviewers feel that it’s…
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Archer Season 13 Retains the Show’s Signature Amusement and Absurdity: Review
Jordan Blum
While still fast-paced and funny, the long-running animated spy comedy largely forgets about its lost matriarch.
Archer Season 13 Retains the Show’s Signature Amusement and Absurdity: Review
Jordan Blum
The Pitch: Typically, the longer a hit program goes on, the harder it is for it to maintain its quality and relevance. Thus, Archer’s ability to mostly preserve its trademark wittiness, ridiculousness, and audaciousness across 12 seasons (and 12 years) is commendable. Admittedly, some fans and reviewers feel that it’s…
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Archer Season 13 Retains the Show’s Signature Amusement and Absurdity: Review
Jordan Blum
The end of the Bale trilogy lingers as a frustratingly flawed masterpiece, even 10 years later.
Why The Dark Knight Rises Remains an Imperfect Ending to Nolan’s Batman Saga
Jordan Blum
When The Dark Knight Rises was released in July 2012, it was met with extraordinary hype and even more extraordinary reception. Aside from earning nearly $1.1 billion dollars worldwide to become the highest-grossing Batman film ever (which it still is), it captivated virtually everyone who saw it. Far from being…
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Why The Dark Knight Rises Remains an Imperfect Ending to Nolan’s Batman Saga
Jordan Blum
A look back at Megadeth’s most commercially successful album on its 30th anniversary.
30 Years Ago, Megadeth’s Countdown to Extinction Tackled Politics and Personal Demons
Jordan Blum
By the start of the ’90s, Megadeth were on track to dominate heavy metal. After all, 1990’s Rust in Peace garnered stellar sales and press reviews, with the corresponding Clash of the Titans tour — featuring Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax — further bolstering their hegemony. Plus, as he confessed to…
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30 Years Ago, Megadeth’s Countdown to Extinction Tackled Politics and Personal Demons
Jordan Blum
The band’s sophomore album stands as a groundbreaking prog metal masterpiece.
30 Years Ago, Dream Theater Found Their Voice and Validation with Images and Words
Jordan Blum
Although it demonstrated an enjoyable and quite innovative blend of 1980s heavy metal and 1970s progressive rock, Dream Theater’s debut LP — 1989’s When Dream and Day Unite — didn’t exactly set the world aflame. As discussed in Rich Wilson’s book Lifting Shadows: The Authorized Biography of Dream Theater, the…
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30 Years Ago, Dream Theater Found Their Voice and Validation with Images and Words
Jordan Blum
25 years ago, Simon West’s wacky debut film provided the perfect vehicle for the actor’s histrionic heroism.
How Con Air Transformed Nicolas Cage from Strange Character Actor to Combustible Action Star
Jordan Blum
Nicolas Cage may be the most unlikely action star of his generation. After all, he’s rarely — if ever — been conventionally attractive, overtly stoic, or intimidatingly buff and domineering. On the contrary, his oddball look and acting style fluctuate so broadly and frequently that he’s become a beloved meme…
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How Con Air Transformed Nicolas Cage from Strange Character Actor to Combustible Action Star
Jordan Blum
OK Computer, the Radiohead album that saw the future, turns 25 this week. Read the retrospective essay.
OK Computer at 25: How Radiohead Foresaw the Future of Rock Music and Humanity
Jordan Blum
Radiohead could’ve proudly followed 1995’s The Bends with something markedly similar. After all, that sophomore collection surpassed predecessor Pablo Honey in nearly every way, with enough creative dynamism, commercial success, and critical praise to become one of the most significant alternative/indie rock records of all time. So, why not just…
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OK Computer at 25: How Radiohead Foresaw the Future of Rock Music and Humanity
Jordan Blum
25 years ago, the shagadelic International Man of Mystery showcased why James Bond’s campiness was no longer in style.
How Austin Powers Made James Bond Take Itself Seriously Again
Jordan Blum
Upon its release in early May 1997, Mike Myers and Jay Roach’s Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery became a pop culture phenomenon. Born from Myers’ faux rock band, Ming Tea, it saw the Wayne’s World star employing his typical knack for quirky personas and clever parody to poke fun…
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How Austin Powers Made James Bond Take Itself Seriously Again
Jordan Blum
The Australian band’s first double LP is expansive, assorted, and at least a little self-indulgent. Read our review.
The Diverse Appeal of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Omnium Gatherum
Jordan Blum
Australia’s King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are easily among the most prolific and versatile acts of the last couple of decades. They’ve put out nearly two dozen collections since 2012, with several years spawning multiple releases each. Plus, their highly adventurous blends of psychedelic rock, hip-hop, garage rock, metal,…
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The Diverse Appeal of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard’s Omnium Gatherum
Jordan Blum