Category Archives: Music

The Problem with Mick Jagger

Posted on April 6, 2019 by ddeal

America doesn’t know what to do with Mick Jagger. Jagger famously captured the essence of rebellion and raw sexuality decades ago. At the height of his creative powers and cultural relevance in the 1960s, he was a threat to the … Continue reading →

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Why Ariana Grande Doesn’t Need the Grammys

Posted on February 8, 2019 by ddeal

The old music institutions are losing their grip. The Super Bowl LIII halftime show February 3 was a bust because of a musicians’ boycott. And now musicians who matter are blowing off the Grammy Awards. Childish Gambino, Drake, Ariana Grande, and … Continue reading →

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The Super Bowl LIII Halftime Debacle: What Will Be the Fallout?

Posted on February 2, 2019 by ddeal

Will all Super Bowl drama hurt Big Boi, Maroon 5, and Travis Scott? Continue reading →

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How Rihanna Has Changed the Game for Music, Fashion, and Beauty

Posted on January 22, 2019 by ddeal

No one who follows the music industry accuses artists of selling out anymore when they cozy up to corporations – not at a time when an Apple or H&M ad can do more to get a song noticed than Soundcloud ever … Continue reading →

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David Bowie Blows Your Mind in Augmented Reality

Posted on January 9, 2019 by ddeal

David Bowie visited my home on his birthday this week. He sang “Life on Mars” in my dining room. He performed a mime on my front porch. He showed me the handwritten lyrics to “Ashes to Ashes” while I was … Continue reading →

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Memorable LGBTQ Album Covers of 2018

Posted on December 27, 2018 by ddeal

Record albums refuse to die even though sales are no longer what they used to be. Musicians continue to rely on long-form collections of songs to tell personal stories, and album cover art remains a crucial aspect of the storytelling. In … Continue reading →

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My Sweet George

Posted on November 29, 2018 by ddeal

Why are we sometimes moved to tears when famous artists die? I thought of this question while pondering the anniversary of George Harrison’s death today. I did not know George Harrison. I never met him. Yet when I learned of … Continue reading →

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Why I Listen to Bad Sinatra

Posted on November 19, 2018 by ddeal

On a cold November afternoon, I’ve immersed myself in a bad Frank Sinatra album from 1974, Some Nice Things I’ve Missed. Why would I do that? Because experiencing an artist’s lesser work helps you understand them better, like reading chapters … Continue reading →

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Paul McCartney’s September Surprise

Posted on September 13, 2018 by ddeal

Great artists surprise you. At this point in his life, Sir Paul McCartney has everything: fame, fortune, and enduring love from devoted fans at a global scale. He has created history. And yet, on “I Don’t Know,” the lead single … Continue reading →

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Drake’s “Scorpion” Defines Success in the Streaming Era — for Better or Worse

Posted on July 26, 2018 by ddeal

The glory years for the record album are over, but the record album isn’t dead yet. In the age of streaming, it actually might benefit artists to release long albums consisting of multiple tracks, as the success of Drake’s Scorpion demonstrates. … Continue reading →

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