Category Archives: Music

Top Ten Albums of the Decade

Posted on December 11, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

It’s the end of the ‘00s, which means it’s time for top ten lists.  Below are my picks for the best albums of the last ten years.  Honorable mentions: Bob Dylan’s Modern Times, The Killers’ Day and Age, Neko Case’s … Continue reading →

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Hodgepodge #2

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

Reflections by Jim of different sorts—on music, nature, books, and sports In the last few weeks I have attended two excellent concerts.  On September 12 I saw U2 in Chicago, as they commenced their 360° tour—a predictably fine show by … Continue reading →

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Michael Jackson: “Death by Show Business”?

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

The death of Michael Jackson last week is in some ways a distinctively American tragedy.  While there is nothing new under the sun about the soul-crushing effects of fame and fortune, the dynamics involved in the demise of the greatest … Continue reading →

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Together Through Life

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

A few months ago Bob Dylan surprised everyone—including his record company—with the announcement that he had recorded a new album, and last month Together Through Life was released, to the jubilance of Dylan cronies like me everywhere.  At nearly 68 years of … Continue reading →

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New Albums by Morrissey and U2: A Study in Worldview Contrasts

Posted on March 15, 2009 by Jim Spiegel

When I heard last Fall that new albums were forthcoming from both Morrissey and U2, I was thrilled.  Not only are they two of my favorite musical artists of the last 20+ years, but they have established themselves as among … Continue reading →

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Spiegel’s Pick for Band of the Year

Posted on December 3, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

I recall reading a review of the Smiths’ 1986 album The Queen is Dead in which the writer gushed about the lyrical genius of their front man—a very young Steven Patrick Morrissey. The reviewer’s closing line stuck with me, because … Continue reading →

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Stubbing My Toe on the Stumbling Block of Tradition

Posted on October 18, 2008 by Amy Spiegel

I love tradition. If ever we do anything the same way twice (the same holiday routine, the same vacation spot, the same meal two Saturdays in a row), I immediately want to canonize it and say that we have to … Continue reading →

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Bono and Morrissey

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

Two of the stalwart acts in modern rock will release new records this February: U2 and Morrissey.  And, as usual in both cases, the pre-release hype machine is already in full-throttle months in advance.  The U2 record, to be titled … Continue reading →

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Ten Best Rock Albums

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

Okay, here are my top ten albums of the rock era.  For selection criteria, see my previous post.  If you disagree with one of my picks, your opinion doesn’t count if you don’t own the record!  Do yourself a favor … Continue reading →

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Twenty Best Albums of the Rock Era

Posted on August 8, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

  Here is the first part of my list of the best albums of the rock era: 1955 to 2000.  (The top ten will appear in my next post.)  My list comports with what might be called the rock music “canon.”  As much … Continue reading →

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