Music

A scene from the New York Metropolitan Opera’s production of Alban Berg’s ‘Lulu’.

An Opera of Permanent Catastrophe, and of Hope An Opera of Permanent Catastrophe, and of Hope

A new production of Alban Berg’s Lulu reveals the explosive powers still manifest in modern art.

Dec 3, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Peter E. Gordon

Steve Coleman

Steve Coleman Works the Connections Steve Coleman Works the Connections

The composer and saxophonist’s hybrid jazz fuses the sounds of the world.

Dec 2, 2015 / David Hajdu

A Jazz Singer

A Jazz Singer A Jazz Singer

Legendary vocalist Mark Murphy exemplified the jazz values of improvisation, swing, and in-the-moment spontaneity.

Oct 30, 2015 / David Hajdu

Ester Dean (left) and B.o.B. perform at CinemaCon, March 27, 2014.

It’s an Old Trope, but How Well Does the Factory Model Explain Pop Music? It’s an Old Trope, but How Well Does the Factory Model Explain Pop Music?

A new book about the music industry misses the fact that we’ve already entered the post-industrial age.

Oct 29, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

The Culture That Capitalism Created

The Culture That Capitalism Created The Culture That Capitalism Created

An interview with Boots Riley.

Oct 8, 2015 / Laura Flanders

Whistleblowers Composed

Whistleblowers Composed Whistleblowers Composed

Ted Hearne’s masterpiece The Source captures digital disorder through the sounds of Wikileaks.

Oct 6, 2015 / David Hajdu

Yorgos Lanthimos's 2015 film ‘The Lobster.’

Of Lobsters and Men Of Lobsters and Men

Don DeLillo, the Grateful Dead, and the New York Film Festival.

Oct 5, 2015 / Eric Alterman

You Can’t Fight Poverty With a Concert

You Can’t Fight Poverty With a Concert You Can’t Fight Poverty With a Concert

Global Citizen’s celebrity-packed festival aims to mobilize millennials against poverty. That’s pointless if it strips politics from the fight.

Sep 24, 2015 / Benjamin Cohen and Elliot Ross

David Bromberg performing.

Welcome Back Welcome Back

Altercation catches up on summer events and releases.

Sep 22, 2015 / Eric Alterman

Billie Holiday and Mister, circa 1946. (Credit: William P. Gottlieb / LOC)

Who Loves You? Who Loves You?

America’s ongoing fascination with Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Sep 10, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Hajdu

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