In this episode, I try to get my head around sampling and copyright law with regard to music, and end up learning about one of the most sampled recordings of all time, 'The Amen Break', which for years has been uncredited by producers from hip hop to drum 'n bass. We are also gifted with new releases from wily guitar wizard John Frusciante - all fo…

In this episode, I notice a sharp increase in the number of musical biopic films being released over the past year, and given the news of an upcoming biopic about punk pioneers The Clash called 'London Town', I explain why so many music stories are becoming ripe for re-enactment. We also embark on an 'Adventure Of A Lifetime' - Coldplay's new singl…

This week, I try to understand why some bands choose to soldier on after original members have passed away, with the news that guitar sensation John Mayer has joined the Grateful Dead off-shoot group Dead & Company. We also try to make sense of eclectic synthpop sorceress Grimes' new album 'Art Angels', and put on our tin-foil hats for a musical co…

This week, I look at the musical phenomenon that is Adele, and how her first release in 3 years still has the music industry on the edge of its seat. We also buckle up for another wild ride with Eagles Of Death Metal on their new album 'Zipper Down', and take a snapshot from an oft-forgotten moment in Bruce Springsteen's catalogue, 1987's introspec…

This week, I see the future of music videos in Usher and Nas' new anti-police brutality protest anthem, which uses your computer's webcam to force you to not look away from the victims of such injustices. We also discover that Billie Joe Armstrong of 90's pop-punk rabble-rousers Green Day has a teenage son (!) whose real name is Jakob Danger (!!) a…

Fresh from a vacation to my home country, I ponder what it means to make South African music, and offer 'The Answer' to any listeners interested in finding some great South African artists. We also deconstruct The 1975's brand-new pop-funk single 'Love Me', and delve into the archives of Johnny Cash's legacy-saving American Recordings series, focus…

This week, I look at tradition and how certain artists are adhering to it. With the announcement of Sam Smith as the singer of the new James Bond theme, we look back at past Bond themes to determine what makes a great one. We also have a listen to The Arcs - a new retro-soul side project from Dan Auerbach - and go searching for The Tallest Man On E…

In this week's episode, I look at rock 'n roll through various lenses, whether it's dealing with the inevitable aging of rockstars (Lemmy Kilmister), absorbing past influences to strike out in a new persona (Thunderbitch), or sidestepping your peers to experiment and evolve (Incubus).For comprehensive show notes and links, check out this episode's …

This week, I express my frustrations with award shows after finding out that my childhood friend was recently nominated for 2 MTV Video Music Awards? as a co-director of the stunning music video for Irish singer-songwriter Hozier?'s 'Take Me To Church'. We also admire the confidence of indie rockers Foals? in delivering their latest slice of arena-…

This week, I expose the ugly side of online interactions with musicians, using recent case studies from Scottish indie pop trio CHVRCHES and their fellow countrymen Frightened Rabbit. But it's not all doom and gloom...or is it? We also have a glossy new single out from dexterous alternative rockers Mutemath, and remember stoner rock veterans Kyuss'…

This week, I try to simply enjoy the music experience without too much judgement: whether it's marveling the beginning of the stadium-concert era on the 50th anniversary of The Beatles at Shea Stadium, mellowing out to the goofball prince of indie pop-rock Mac DeMarco, or falling prey to the giddy rhythms of dance rock pioneers New Order. For compr…

For this week's show, I unpack the myth of 'lost' albums, in light of Dr Dre's announcement to scrap his long-awaited 'Detox' album. We also take a look at folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner's new album of raucous positivity, and shine a light on a long-lost posthumous album by Jimi Hendrix, 'First Rays Of The New Rising Sun'. For comprehensive show…

This week's episode sees me get introduced to the interesting music subculture of tribute bands, watch an indie rock guitarist become a momentary master, and be mystified by an enchanting indie pop priestess. For comprehensive show notes and links, check out this episode's page at: http://www.kurtwritesthings.com/musicology-with-kurt/episode-5-u2-a…

This week's artists are all about change: in sound, image, and public perception. I unpack the legend of the night Bob Dylan went 'electric' on the week of its 50th anniversary, get lost in the meandering new single 'Honeymoon' by indie pop starlet Lana Del Rey, and steer my way through another acoustic-electric transformation with Black Rebel Moto…

I focus this week on two new releases from vastly-different solo projects (Tame Impala and Fort Minor), and revisit a troubled, yet fun album from a legendary rock band (The Who). For comprehensive show notes and links, check out this episode's page at: http://www.kurtwritesthings.com/musicology-with-kurt/episode-3-tame-impala-fort-minor-the-whoEpi…

This week, I dive into the recent Amy Winehouse documentary, Muse's new album 'Drones', and The Roots' 2010 masterpiece 'How I Got Over'.For comprehensive show notes and links, check out this episode's page at: http://www.kurtwritesthings.com/musicology-with-kurt/episode-2-amy-winehouse-muse-the-rootsEpisode 2 Segment Times:------------------------…

What do you get when you cross Dave Grohl, Fleet Foxes, and a duo named Beach House? The first episode of Musicology With Kurt! Join me on my debut as I discuss all three of those in a new weekly show.For comprehensive show notes and links, check out this episode's page at: http://www.kurtwritesthings.com/musicology-with-kurt/episode-1-dave-grohl-b…