October 28, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) It’s Halloween season! Of course with a holiday so focused on its vibes and unique energy, it’s only fitting that I create a playlist to fit the dark, spooky, and best parts of late October! And, let’s be real: making a Halloween Playlist is hard. But you’re in […]
The Lightning Rod’s Thrilling Hallo-week Playlist Read More »
October 15, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) MJ Lenderman and Why Alt Country is Producing Modern Indie’s Best Songwriters Walking into an MJ Lenderman show, it’s almost guaranteed you will see two things. Flannel shirts and 70% of the audience wearing various shades of blue jeans. For a traditionally insular genre like Country where plenty
They Are Trying To Break Your Heart: Exploring Alternative Country Read More »
September 30, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) Another year means another round of the MTV Video and Music awards. Since 1984, MTV has been hosting their annual award ceremony. As a response to other mainstream award shows such as the Grammys, the MTV Video and Music awards were originally focused on the art of the
2024 MTV Music Awards: VMA OR VM-NAY Read More »
June 13, 2024 by Elias Prodger(‘26) The summertime is truly some of the best time to listen to music. The crystal blue skies and sunny energy can make a kick drum punchier and the energy of any song more potent. We assume over here at the lightning rod you love music just like us, and
The 2024 Lightning Rod Summer Playlist Read More »
April 30, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) 2024 has been a fairly fruitful year in the world of mainstream and underground music. In the mainstream, new records from Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake represent the return of pop royalty along with a genre shift into country influences from Beyoncé. On the more experimental and underground
Three 2024 Albums to Check Out Now Read More »
April 30, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) I have to be honest. I was not super excited to write this review. It’s neither because I am some devoted Taylor Swift hater, nor because I am filled with fear of angry mobs of Swiftes trying to track down my home address. My problem with the majority
Tortured Poets Department Review Read More »
March 13, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) Kanye West. Just saying his name recently has caused visceral reactions from anyone you talk to. Kanye’s discography and evolving public image is fascinating, and, simultaneously, horrifying to look at. But this divisive persona is captivating to his growing cult-like fan base that divides music nerds and casual
Kanye Vultures: Can You Separate the Art from the Artist? Read More »
February 14, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) Oh, Grammys season. The Grammys seem to mean everything, yet simultaneously nothing at all to the average music fan. No matter who the Grammys decide to nominate, it seems like every decision made is a misstep, every action plagued by controversy and scandal. But does it all even
2024 Grammy’s Roundup Read More »
January 18, 2024 by Elias Prodger (‘26) 2023 was a weird year of music. It acted as some sort of a transition year. 2022 felt like the most solid and consistently well-done year we have seen in music all decade. But as we moved into 2024, mainstream music seemed to be confused. No rap albums
My 9 Favorite Albums of 2023 Read More »
November 15, 2023 by Elias Prodger (‘26) The Beatles’ impact on music history cannot really be overstated. It can be argued that no other artists have had such a vast influence on popular music like those in the classic Liverpool based group composed of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Since the
Now and Then: Fab Four or Fab Faux? Read More »
November 1, 2023 by Elias Prodger (‘26) Few artists in the past ten years have had the same cultural impact as Aubrey Graham, more familiarly known as Drake. Music based on an accessible fusion of hip hop and RnB has facilitated his meteoric rise to fame over the past decade. Albums like Scorpion and Nothing
Prodger’s Playlist: Drake’s For All the Dogs Read More »
