Top Ten Albums of 2013
I don’t know that I actually reviewed appreciably more albums for Spectrum Culture this year than the previous one, but it was enough that I sometimes felt I had a difficult time keeping up with my “outside listening.” I offer that as humble acknowledgement that my list is heavy with material that I specifically sat down and gave a close listen to in order to bang out a few hundred words extolling virtues and identifying flaws. (This may also be the spot where I acknowledge that I really don’t hear the supposed genius of Kanye West, no matter how hard … Continue reading Top Ten Albums of 2013
Top Fifty Films of the 60s — Number One
#1 — Dr Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Stanley Kubrick, 1964) It may be that true cinematic genius stems less from an ability to fulfill a particular vision to the letter and more from a knack for pulling together all the unwieldy challenges that beset any production into a coherent, satisfying finished product. When pieces threaten to go flinging off the rig while it’s moving at top speed is when a director’s talent is truly tested. Compromises can always be transformed into advantages, but it takes someone with the intellect, patience, creativity and … Continue reading Top Fifty Films of the 60s — Number One
College Countdown: 90FM’s Top 90 of 1996, 8 and 7
8. Counting Crows, Recovering the Satellites I can’t. I’m sorry, I just can’t. 7. Rage Against the Machine, Evil Empire Back in the day, I had loads of three-beer-in, barroom arguments with Rage Against the Machine fans, pointing out what … Continue reading College Countdown: 90FM’s Top 90 of 1996, 8 and 7
Here comes the song I love so much
In each of the past three years, I’ve followed up on the Spectrum list of the year’s top songs by offering my modest addendum. Specifically, I’ve noted the highest-ranking songs on my personal list of the best of the year, cobbled together from the one hundred that were nominated by the various music writers for the site. My clear pick for the best song of the year was the same one we collectively selected, so I certainly have no major complaints. Still, I would have liked to see these songs get a little more love from my peers. Cults, “I … Continue reading Here comes the song I love so much
One for Friday: That Dog, “Minneapolis”
Through a weird coincidental convergence, I invoked Minneapolis a few times on my various other social media platforms this week, first with a highly dopey, music geek pun and then by sharing this found-online picture of a wonderfully conceived movie … Continue reading One for Friday: That Dog, “Minneapolis”
I awoke and I imagined the hard things that pulled us apart will never again, sir, tear us from each other’s hearts
There is a slender but focused plot to the latest comedy by Alexander Payne, Nebraska. But it seems fairly clear that the story is ultimately a means to an end. That’s not to imply that Payne is indifferent to the … Continue reading I awoke and I imagined the hard things that pulled us apart will never again, sir, tear us from each other’s hearts
Top Fifty Films of the 60s — Number Two
#2 — The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960) Often I have described myself as a cynical romantic (or a romantic cynic, but the other version rolls off the tongue more pleasantly). While there are undoubtedly a multitude of influences that led me … Continue reading Top Fifty Films of the 60s — Number Two
Christmas Eve
Happy holidays, all! Continue reading Christmas Eve
Knock on the door and the door knocks back
By now, David O. Russell has openly and repeatedly acknowledged that his 2010 film, The Fighter, represented a key artistic turning point for him. His first film after years of futility following the release of I ♥ Huckabees, the boxing … Continue reading Knock on the door and the door knocks back
College Countdown: 90FM’s Top 90 of 1996, 10 and 9
10. The Afghan Whigs, Black Love Black Love was the second album Afghan Whigs released with Elektra Records, and it would prove to their last such collaboration with the major label. Greg Dulli’s band had been snapped up by Elektra … Continue reading College Countdown: 90FM’s Top 90 of 1996, 10 and 9
