Why Music Can’t Be Beat as a Shaper of Identity
It's not just a soundtrack, it's a magnet, says RCL's music critic.
An Apology to Lady Gaga: You Are Not “Shallow”
RCL’s Tim Sommer says diva will “lead others to the Kingdom of Outsiders.”
Forget Boycotting Ryan Adams, It’s the Broken Record That Needs Fixing
More women in the music industry is the only way to counter all those abusive men.
Grammys 2019 Hits a New Low Note
Lady Gaga can cry all she wants, but this isn’t what music is about.
Remembering That Time 55 Years Ago When The Beatles Met Ed Sullivan
Six ways England forged the Fab Four before they arrived for the really big show.
Weezer’s Vapid Teal Album Has Our Critic Seeing Red
Collection of covers doesn't cover any interesting new ground.
Before Blue Öyster Cult Lost Their Way, They Led Greasers to Paradise
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” is only a small sliver of an underappreciated band’s legacy.
Hawkwind and Dave Brock Hit New High Note In Band’s 50th Year
Space rock icon opens up to RealClearLife on new album, historic legacy.
This Politician Doesn’t Mind If You Call Him a Punk
Meet New York City Councilman and former hardcore legend Justin Brannan.
Neither Dazed nor Confused: Inside the Mind of Jimmy Page at 75
The Led Zeppelin mastermind celebrates a milestone birthday today.
Pete Shelley Sang Punk Rock About Our Lives
Buzzcocks' lead singer pioneered a melding of pop and punk that directly connected with fans.
The Truth About Led Zeppelin, That Shark Story, and the Man Who Made Them Rich
Author of new book on Peter Grant, the "fifth member of Led Zeppelin," tells all to RCL.
Kanye West Voices Support For Trump in First Twitter Rant of 2019
He began his tweets with a simple message of loyalty: “Trump all day.”
Van Halen: Why the Original Line-Up MUST Return to Save Rock ‘n’ Roll
The rainbow belching Yeti requires Michael Anthony on bass.
The Top Ten Albums of the Year… and the Worst Trends to Rock the Industry
RCL’s Tim Sommer breaks down the music that deserve to be heard.
The 10 Best Christmas Songs, According to an Ex-Record Producer
RealClearLife music columnist Tim Sommer compiles a list of the popular and obscure, uplifting and melancholy.