The New Releases Shelf — Hell-On
The notion of rock and pop music as a young person’s game persists, even as a multitude of artists push toward the latter half of middle age while maintaining clearly viable voices. I suspect it’s because so many of the … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf — Hell-On
Then Playing — Four Impossible Missions
Given that he emerged as a movie star in the nineteen-eighties, the era when sequels emerged as Hollywood’s favorite toy, it’s remarkable that Tom Cruise was a solid twenty years into his screen career before he appeared in a film … Continue reading Then Playing — Four Impossible Missions
Laughing Matters — The Ben Stiller Show, “Tom Cruise: Dress Casual”
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. This production looks like … Continue reading Laughing Matters — The Ben Stiller Show, “Tom Cruise: Dress Casual”
Now Playing — Sorry to Bother You
Boots Riley could have given himself an easier task for a first feature film. Sorry to Bother You is first and foremost a satire, and few other comedic forms are more perilous onscreen. The deployment of pure absurdity might seem … Continue reading Now Playing — Sorry to Bother You
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #892 to #889
892. Spandau Ballet, Journeys to Glory (1981) Determining the quality of Spandau Ballet’s music is a matter of taste, but the band’s adeptness with stealth publicity is worthy of reverential study. Growing out of a group formed by Islington high … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #892 to #889
From the Archive — George Carlin arrested at Milwaukee’s Summerfest
It’s been ten years since George Carlin died, depriving the world of one of our most combative, stealthily insightful voices. And it was forty-six years ago on the day I post this — or re-post it, really — reflection on … Continue reading From the Archive — George Carlin arrested at Milwaukee’s Summerfest
One for Friday — Hothouse Flowers, “Don’t Go”
Thirty years ago, in the summer of 1988, Hothouse Flowers released their debut album, People. As with many Irish bands of the time, their pathway to broader music business exposure went through the garlanded terraces constructed by U2. Legend has … Continue reading One for Friday — Hothouse Flowers, “Don’t Go”
Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Foe tha Love of $”
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. The last appearance Eazy-E made in a … Continue reading Top 40 Smash Near Misses — “Foe tha Love of $”
Programming Note
I can already tell that words are going to be very elusive creatures today. In their place, I’ll present a drawing Mike Mignola recently shared. I’ll get back to the expounding tomorrow, friends. Continue reading Programming Note
Playing Catch-Up — Justice League; The Tale; A Monster Calls
Justice League (Zack Snyder, 2017). Where to even begin with this rambling monstrosity? There’s so much to loathe in this desperate attempt to replicate the success of the Marvel movie model by the company’s distinguished competition in the realm of … Continue reading Playing Catch-Up — Justice League; The Tale; A Monster Calls
