In honor of Hall & Oates’ sold-out show at the Spectrum tonight, here’s my favorite piece of the H&O oeuvre. It’s one of their more understated tunes from the 80s. I dig the mellow, dreamy vibe that builds slowly and soulfully, then hits you with a killer tempo change near the end. Big Bam Boom! [...]

Back in 1987 Rush entrusted the video for their song “Time Stands Still” to a guy who was not afraid to use a green screen and a special effect or 4,000. The pitch: “Hey Guys, love your stuff! BIG Huck Sawyer & Limelife fan, anyway… for this video, I’m thinking… now stay with me… ‘floaty and frenetic? Huh? And I got the ‘Voices Carry’ chick to chase you around a bit with a TV camera. It’s gold, right? Let’s do it.”‘

Prog rock is back! And that’s a good thing, love these guys.

Website: www.trailofdead.com

New CD: The Century of Self

I have a hard time imagining a band creating a more inspired piece of instrumental rock music: triumphant, sweeping, rocking and just a dose of lilting quirkiness all seamlessly layered together in grand Norwegian fashion. Beautiful!

Hear More: What We Must (2005)

Here’s a nice complement to the Jaga tune, a classic blast of hypnotic brilliance:

“Orris [...]

I only know this one Saga song and call me crazy, but I think it still holds up. Guitar solos, keyboard solos, Han solos… it all just works. I loved watching this video back in the day, a nice mix of live performance and cheesy-as-hell conceptual work. I’m still not sure why the guy from Hall & Oates was in prison, but thankfully, with the help of a dame, hebusted out.

Attention parents of children who like to hop around to good music: Want to spend a fun hour or so with your kiddie and the computer? Well then, fire up the old Dell, close your depressing Quicken screen and check out the fun-packed Pancake Mountain website.

It’s “cleverly disguised as a children’s TV show” that makes [...]