We're talking Miles Davis, we're talking Pere Ubu, and we're talking the very art of the music review. A writer in the books section talks about a book he hasn't read, and a regular contributor to the film section treats us to a showing of his very own film. An untimely passing is noted, and on the lighter side, we anticipate the beginning of football season. If you're getting the idea that this hasn't been a "business as usual" kind of week, you're right. And we've got it all covered, as only we can.

MUSIC

Mat Brewster always does a great job with his Bootleg Country feature, but in the article from this past week, Bootleg Country: Gillian Welch - 09/17/03, he gives a particularly entertaining look not only at the show, but inside himself.

In Music Review: Miles Davis - Cool and Collected, JP tells exactly why "Miles Davis is Cool." Once you read the article, you'll have to agree.

It was a busy weekend for John Owen. First, he wrote a very creative Music Review: Pere Ubu - Why I Hate Women. So creative, it had me asking him if it was a review or more an opinion piece. He went on to explain himself and examine the whole review process in Music Review: Pere Ubu's Why I Hate Women and a Review of Music Reviews. Both articles are a must read!

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

JP tries to sum up Miles Davis' cool in his very chill Music Review: Miles Davis - Cool and Collected.

From Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:

Objectivity, schmobjectivity. I was going to write a review of John Owens' Review of Music Reviews, but I forgot the formula. On-target article, plus any music review that mentions Tristram Shandy and Jim Thompson is okay by me — if I may be allowed to be subjective for the moment.

BOOKS

Possibly a first this week — a chosen article about not reading a book. Mayank Austen Soofi was given a copy of War and Peace for his 16th birthday, which I think most of us would agree was an ambitious choice. But how has he done since? He reflects in this lovely article. (Your book editor has read a third of it. I got volume one from the library but when I went to get two, someone had taken it out. That was that.)

And it seems this week we are in the mood for classics. Anil Menon is exploring Lilavati, a 1000-year-old classic. He makes me want to rush out to buy a copy.

From Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:

Well, Prince, so Genoa and Lucca are now just family estates of the Buonapartes. But I warn you, if you don't tell me that this means... Zzzzzzzz... It was the best of tomes, it was the worst of tomes... but it was definitely one of the best and most entertaining of Mayank Austen Soofi's writings.