Feature: From The Songbook

Does life imitate art or art imitate life? In "From the Songbook," Benjamin uses lyrics as his jumping off point to explore a whole host of topics. From Otis Redding to the Afghan Whigs, from Hank Williams, Sr, to the Dropkick Murphys, no artist or genre is safe from Benjamin’s examination. Sometimes irreverent, sometimes profound, "From the Songbook," is never boring. A student of music, and history as well as a self-avowed voyeur of people, Benjamin combines his passions to put a point on the topic at hand like a festering pimple desperately needing popped. The pain is relief and the relief is pain. A working journalist, Benjamin currently serves as a combat photojournalist and is the managing editor or a weekly newspaper in southeastern Wyoming. He’s worked as a reporter in Ohio, Arizona and done several deployments in the military crossing the globe.

Columnists

Benjamin Cossel

Articles in this feature

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• Revolution

  I mean come on, when did the right become the party of stupid?

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Nov 18, 2009

• Wake Me Up When September Ends

  I wish I didn’t. I wish I didn’t flinch while watching television and an engine backfires two blocks down the road.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Nov 07, 2009

• Prison Song

  Some wars may be worthwhile, the war on drugs is about stupid.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Oct 31, 2009

• This Is Your Life

  See, I don’t know about you, but I’m about tired of getting a trophy for second place ...

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Oct 14, 2009

• Killing in the Name Of

  Maybe all of us need to say to those who would incite violence that no, that isn’t the answer and it isn’t the way.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Oct 08, 2009

• Bullet with Butterfly Wings

  Like the song from Smashing Pumpkins 1995 release Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, very rarely does rage just all of a sudden announce itself.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Oct 01, 2009

• Syrup and Honey

  There isn’t always some profound point or nugget to be gleaned from a song; sometimes, it just speaks to you.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Sep 22, 2009

• Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

  There's comfort food and then there’s music, for me, comfort food for the soul.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Sep 17, 2009

• That's a Man

  What type of person are you? Are you a talk the talk sort or a walk the walk type?

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Sep 17, 2009

• When We Two Parted

  Music is a funny thing. You just never know what’s going to take with an audience.

  Opinion by Benjamin Cossel — on Sep 13, 2009