Countdown’s End
For the past thirteen years or so, I’ve known with certainty what would pop up in my little corner of the digital world every Sunday. It started when I stumbled upon a CMJ Radio Top Cuts chart that was published … Continue reading Countdown’s End
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #1
1. Go-Go’s, Beauty and the Beat (1981) The rejection letter was breathtaking in its condescension. By the time the Go-Go’s were sending their demo around to labels, they had already proved themselves and developing a growing following within their local … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #1
Outside Reading — The Spinning Spinner Rack edition
Comics aren’t dying, but they are changing – and that’s got people scared by Heidi MacDonald There are no kerfuffles quite as tedious and toxic as those that churn up around the culture of comic books, at least when they … Continue reading Outside Reading — The Spinning Spinner Rack edition
This Week’s Model — PACKS, “Paige Machine”
There are a lot of complimentary superlatives that can be heaped on the new song from PACKS, the project that serves as the main creative outlet for Toronto-based indie rock whiz Madeline Link. Rather than wind my way to any … Continue reading This Week’s Model — PACKS, “Paige Machine”
Then Playing — The Main Event; A Thousand and One; Black Angel
The Main Event (Howard Zieff, 1979). Barbra Streisand stars as Hillary Kramer, the owner of a major perfume corporation who goes bust after her accountant embezzles all of her money and absconds to South America. One of the only assets … Continue reading Then Playing — The Main Event; A Thousand and One; Black Angel
Andre Braugher, 1962 – 2023
In the summer of 1996, Andre Braugher took advantage of the hiatus between seasons of Homicide: Life on the Street to star in a New York production of Henry V. The occasion prompted The New Yorker to include a blurb … Continue reading Andre Braugher, 1962 – 2023
Medium Rotation — Jenny from Thebes; Black Bayou
THE MOUNTAIN GOATS Jenny from Thebes (Merge) — Now that the Mountain Goats’ main man, John Darnielle, has solidified his successful side hustle as a nimble novelist, it makes perfect sense that he’s embracing similar deep-dive storytelling in his songwriting. … Continue reading Medium Rotation — Jenny from Thebes; Black Bayou
Then Playing — Ladies of the Chorus; Paris, Texas; Reality
Ladies of the Chorus (Phil Karlson, 1949). This backstage drama about burlesque performers is pedestrian in its most basic particulars, but it has just enough flinty spirit to keep it interesting. Peggy Martin (Marilyn Monroe) is a performer who rises … Continue reading Then Playing — Ladies of the Chorus; Paris, Texas; Reality
College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #2
2. The Police, Ghost in the Machine (1981) After constantly operating under the nettlesome, intrusive scrutiny of their record label, the Police were finally given the opportunity to record a new studio album on their own terms. The trio, comprised … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #2
Outside Reading — We Are Hope Despite the Times edition
Michael Stipe Is Writing His Next Act. Slowly. by Jon Mooallem This article about the former lead singer of R.E.M. is a simply a masterful piece of profile writing. With unerring instincts for which details convey the most telling information, … Continue reading Outside Reading — We Are Hope Despite the Times edition
Coffee for Two 