Sometimes in pop culture there are clear end points, and they can provide insights to a whole series, oeuvre, or discography. Sword of Trust has a hooky comedic premise. A gruff Birmingham pawn shop proprietor named Mel (Marc Maron) is … Continue reading The Last One — Sword of Trust
512. Depeche Mode, Music for the Masses (1987) For Music for the Masses, Depeche Mode’s sixth studio album, the band was in search of a new approach in the studio. Since their first recordings for Mute Records, Depeche Mode always … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #512 to #509
Legalize All Essential Workers by Alfredo Corchado Don’t Blame Econ 101 for the Plight of Essential Workers by Annie Lowery Tuition-Free College For Workers by Michelle Miller-Adams A UW System crisis a decade in the making by Nicholas Fleisher and … Continue reading Outside Reading — Essential edition
Buzzy guitars, a relentless beat, keening vocals racing through intricate lyrics, an irresistible hook that somehow gives was to another hook and maybe yet another hook, a squalling guitar solo, a false ending, and it’s all over in just over … Continue reading This Week’s Model — The Beths, “I’m Not Getting Excited”
American Made (Doug Liman, 2017). Now that Tom Cruise has moved entirely into the phase of his career that involves constantly putting his own well-being in peril to the delight of the audience, more serious fare — even something as … Continue reading Then Playing — American Made; Dark Phoenix; Hellboy
For some, the following statement is sacrilege: I’m grateful Freaks and Geeks only lasted one season. The brainchild of Paul Feig and arguably the true starting point of Judd Apatow’s ascendency to brand dominance as a producer of comedies, Freaks … Continue reading That Championship Season — Freaks and Geeks, Season One
#35 — Holy Motors (Leos Carax, 2012) It takes a peculiar skill to make a movie that’s utterly bonkers and yet marvelously lucid, simultaneously reckless and tightly controlled. French director Leos Carax went a long time between films before Holy … Continue reading Top Fifty Films of 10s — Number Thirty-Five
These posts are about the songs that just barely failed to cross the key line of chart success, entering the Billboard Top 40. Every song featured in this series peaked at number 41. Little Richard was like no one else. … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Baby Face”
516. Ian Hunter, You’re Never Alone with a Schizophrenic (1979) As so often happens in rock ‘n’ roll, Ian Hunter’s career trajectory was hampered by ugly business entanglements. The former Mott the Hoople frontman developed a modest but noticeable presence … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #516 to #513
Toxic Masculinity Is Going to Get Us All Killed by Jessica Valenti Today at the grocery store, I saw two different couples comprised of a woman wearing a mask and a man opting against it. “Make no mistake: This is … Continue reading Outside Reading — Hers and Only Hers Masks
Coffee for Two 