The New Releases Shelf — Sleep Well Beast
Since the release of Sleep Well Beast, the seventh studio album from the National, the commentary has settled into two camps. There are those who insist that the album represents a serious modification of the band’s sound, pushing into intriguing … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf — Sleep Well Beast
The Art of the Sell — “The Howling” movie poster
These posts celebrate the movie trailers, movie posters, commercials, print ads, and other promotional material that stand as their own works of art. Horror movies present different opportunities when it comes to their marketing, at least when it comes to … Continue reading The Art of the Sell — “The Howling” movie poster
College Countdown: CMJ Top 40 Cuts, March 16, 1990 — 40 – 37
40. John Wesley Harding, “The Devil in Me” Included on the John Wesley Harding’s debut album, Here Comes the Groom, “The Devil in Me” was the track that introduced most college radio programmers to the British singer-songwriter who would eventually … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 40 Cuts, March 16, 1990 — 40 – 37
From the Archive: Alien 3
The debut of the new Netflix series Mindhunter has brought a fresh wave of attention on filmmaker David Fincher, who seems a little less glum than usual as he makes the promotional rounds. The accompanying newsy tidbits — he almost … Continue reading From the Archive: Alien 3
One for Friday: The Tragically Hip, “Blow at High Dough”
I remember when the first full-length release from the Tragically Hip arrived at my college radio station. It was at the beginning of my second year, when my footing was a little sounder and I finally had an inkling of … Continue reading One for Friday: The Tragically Hip, “Blow at High Dough”
Laughing Matter — Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, “One Leg Too Few”
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. I am currently in … Continue reading Laughing Matter — Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, “One Leg Too Few”
Playing Catch-Up — Compliance; The Bad Sleep Well; The Devil’s Bride
Compliance (Craig Zobel, 2012). Based, incredibly enough, on a true story, Compliance shows the ugly susceptibility people have in the face of authority, even when those giving the orders have done nothing to prove they deserve to be followed. On … Continue reading Playing Catch-Up — Compliance; The Bad Sleep Well; The Devil’s Bride
The New Releases Shelf: American Dream
I mean, no one really thought there would never be another LCD Soundsystem album, right? For all the anguish and wistful valedictory celebration that accompanied the announcement of LCD Soundsystem’s farewell, back in 2011, the dissolution of James Murphy’s triumphant … Continue reading The New Releases Shelf: American Dream
Great Moments in Literature
“My mother poured recklessly but perfect, capping off my glass just before it overflowed. Still, a trick to get it to my mouth without spilling. She smirked a little as she watched me. Leaned back against the newel post, tucked … Continue reading Great Moments in Literature
College Countdown: CMJ Top 40 Cuts, March 16, 1990 — An Introduction
Last week, we came to the conclusion of the mightiest College Countdown effort yet, a survey of the Top 250 songs from the first ten years of CMJ, the trade publication that once served student broadcasters — and maybe still … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 40 Cuts, March 16, 1990 — An Introduction
Coffee for Two 