Outside Reading — There’s Another Great edition
The Gag Is: Keke Palmer Is a Movie Star by Niela Orr The dazzling standout from Nope is profiled in The New York Times Magazine. Beyond being charmed anew by the vibrancy of Keke Palmer — that somehow comes through … Continue reading Outside Reading — There’s Another Great edition
Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “I Wanna Rock”
These posts are about the songs that fell just short of crossing the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. One Life to Live debuted on ABC … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “I Wanna Rock”
The Art of the Sell — Serena Williams: Just Do It
These posts celebrate the movie trailers, movie posters, commercials, print ads, and other promotional material that stand as their own works of art. There was a time when endorsement deals were hard to come by for Serena Williams, or at … Continue reading The Art of the Sell — Serena Williams: Just Do It
My Misspent Youth — Death: The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman and Chris Bachalo
I read a lot of comic books as a kid. This series of posts is about the comics I read, and, occasionally, the comics that I should have read. Vertigo Comic launched at the very beginning of 1993. By that … Continue reading My Misspent Youth — Death: The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman and Chris Bachalo
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #161 to #159
161. Talking Heads, True Stories (1986) David Byrne wanted to make a movie. The Talking Heads frontman had long held creative aspirations beyond the dazzling art rock he made with cohorts Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth, and the … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #161 to #159
Programming Note
Today defeated me, so I’m going to let my little corner of the digital world go dormant for a couple days. We will return to daily updates with this Sunday’s College Countdown post. Continue reading Programming Note
Laughing Matters — Jake Johannsen’s first appearance on Late Night with David Letterman
Sometimes comedy illuminates hard truths with a pointed urgency that other means can’t quite achieve. Sometimes comedy is just funny. This series of posts is mostly about the former instances, but the latter is valuable, too. Thirty-five years ago this … Continue reading Laughing Matters — Jake Johannsen’s first appearance on Late Night with David Letterman
Now Playing — Nope
I don’t really know anything about writer-director Jordan Peele’s process when he crafts a new film, but I like to imagine that he starts with the first story idea that comes to mind and then pushes himself — pointedly and … Continue reading Now Playing — Nope
Beers I Have Known — Raquette River Brewing Wicked Felina Mexican Lager
This series of posts is dedicated to the many, many six packs, pony kegs and pints that have sauntered into my life at one point or another. After a few long days of driving, it’s nice to settle into the … Continue reading Beers I Have Known — Raquette River Brewing Wicked Felina Mexican Lager
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #164 to #162
164. Billy Bragg, Talking with the Taxman About Poetry (1986) “I’m a firm believer that by the third album, you have to show some signs of progression,” Bragg said. “With the first couple of LPs, you’re just carving out your … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #164 to #162
Coffee for Two 