The New Cynicism (from Topplebush.com)
Sean MurphyFriends, Democrats, Republicans, lend me your minds; I come to pillory John Edwards, not to praise him. Okay: he proved himself susceptible to the same ego-driven misdeeds any run-of-the-mill narcissists…
Melvins: Nude with Boots (Popmatters.com Review)
Good News! Melvins are back.Melvins are not a band so much as a machine. For almost a quarter of a century they have rumbled and rolled over the earth, leaving…
Five Reggae Albums You Cannot Live Without: Part Three
This is the reggae album for people who do not know, or claim not to like, reggae music. Go and Seek Your Rights: The Mighty Diamonds’ Right Time Big misconception…
Love Story (Popmatters.com Review)
A Story to Fall in Love With One is tempted to suggest, if sardonically, that now is the time for a reappraisal of Love. But that is unlikely. It’s never…
Five Reggae Albums You Cannot Live Without: Part Two
11 July 2008 Five Reggae Albums You Cannot Live Without Part Two: Make a Joyful Noise Unto JAH: Culture’s International Herb Culture is immortal for their 1977 tour de force,…
Five Reggae Albums You Cannot Live Without: Part One
Part One HalleluJAH: Heart of the Congos Great art knows no seasons. Nevertheless, some music is made for—or at least can be fully appreciated during—specific times of the year. Reggae…
John Belushi’s Greatest Performance
23 June 2008 John Belushi’s Greatest Performance How many people who would care to quibble that John Belushi’s endlessly quotable turn as “Bluto” Blutarsky does not represent his finest work?…
Here’s The Thing
Past Perfect 18 June 2008 Here’s The Thing… In the late summer of 1982, two distinct entities from outer space infiltrated planet earth. One was a prehistoric creature with the…
All Hail Me: The Golden Goddesses–Exhibit A: Veruca Salt
30 May 2008 All Hail Me: The Golden Goddesses, Exhibit A Not sure if any band quite captures the waiting-to-exhale extended moment of semi-innocence that was the mid-90s (you know,…
Nothing Golden God Can Stay
29 May 2008 Nothing Golden God Can Stay Aside from the requisite stints in rehab, the Botox and the damage done, and the increasingly profitable reunion tours, not a lot…