Just Drugs and Rock & Roll, Chicago, IL (2025)

10/14/2025

RIP D’Angelo

This man was singular. He blended everything we loved about soul, funk, rock, and hip-hop, and seamlessly melded it to create his own genre. You always know a D’Angelo track right when you hear it - that’s a showcase of true originality

I’ve said for years that I’d pay any amount to see D’Angelo at the next possible opportunity. I’d be listening the moment a new piece of music dropped. But part of D’Angelo’s allure was his exclusivity. He was the type of artist who only created when he had something to say - which is why he produced nothing but the best work

We lost a great artist today. I didn’t need another reason to listen to D’Angelo’s music on repeat, but that’s exactly what happens next.

Rest easy

10/02/2025

The golden years of Rolling Stones-dom

Between 1968 and 1972, the Stones delivered nonstop blues-based rock. With a career as long as theirs, it’s hard to capture their full ethos in one continuos string of albums - but if any stretch does it, it’s these four.

The songs within these albums aren’t just defining for The Rolling Stones, but for rock & roll. “Sympathy for the Devil”, “Gimme Shelter”, and “Brown Sugar”, just to name a few biggies.

The Stones also underwent personnel changes amid these albums. With Brian Jones in decline, the Stones added guitarist Mick Taylor during “Let It Bleed”. And the following album, “Sticky Fingers”, was the first without Brian.

I do love “Goat’s Head Soup”, but in comparison to these albums it felt it didn’t belong on the list. That’s no discredit to “Goat’s Head Soup”, and all credit to the four albums that preceded it

Is your favorite Stones album on this list?

10/01/2025

“Black Hole Sun” | Live Earth, Germany, 2007

Chris Cornell’s singing is always heart wrenching, but this one really shows his talent

You might notice he’s not with the rest of Soundgarden in this clip. Chris was booked as a solo act for the Live Earth benefit in 2007. The show was organized to combat climate change, and featured performances around the world all on the same day - in London, Sydney, Johannesburg, Rio, Tokyo, Rom, and Hamburg as seen here (and in many more countries - it was massive)

As early as 1997, Soundgarden had officially split after a 9 year run as a band. They reconvened in 2010 and released their final album “King Animal” in 2012. But that’s why you don’t see the band together in this clip

Chris Cornell’s voice, as soothing as it is haunting, is one that continues to surprise and amaze me

09/26/2025

Pink Floyd was on fire in the 70’s

As far as best album runs in rock, these 4 in a row are hard to beat. By 1973, Pink Floyd’s signature brand of psychedelic prog rock finally found its balance - experimental but also radio-friendly.

From there, they seemed to have found their pocket. Each subsequent album sounded different than the previous, but all still sounded “Floyd”.

Interesting aside, both David Gilmour and Richard Wright named “Wish You Were Here” as their favorite in the Pink Floyd discography.

Let me end by saying that both “Atom Heart Mother” and “Meddle” are cornerstones of my Floyd listening habits. I just couldn’t include them in good conscience with “Obscured by Clouds” separating them from “Dark Side”.

More of the best album runs in rock to come. For now, let’s chat about some Floyd favorites

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