Once again, Blogcritics leads the pack in quality news, reviews, and analysis. Whether you're into T Bone Burnett or the Beach Boys, or wondering what horror flicks to pop into your Netflix queue next, you can read it here first. There's also a heart-rending review of a book about the still unfolding AIDS crisis in Africa viewed through the eyes of children, and a stirring account of the memorial in New York City dedicated to the firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11. Whether you're in the mood for a light-hearted romp through the fields of pop culture or some serious food for thought, you'll find it here. 

Let me remind those of you who are chosen that you are invited to submit your own pick for next week (due to space considerations, please limit it to one). Please feel free to email me your picks (including the URL) by next Tuesday.

MUSIC

Mark Saleski does it again with his CD Review: Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris - All The Roadrunning. Not only a good look at the CD but also at the lines between country, rock, and other genres.

Zach Hoskins of Modern Pea Pod examines CD Reviews: T Bone Burnett - Twenty Twenty: The Essential T Bone Burnett and The True False Identity. Comparisons are made between the two CDs mentioned and correlations are drawn to other well known names. And it's all done in an entertaining and succinct article.

In Limits: What Are Your Recording Limitations?, producer Chris Mara (via Marc GulfCoastBands) takes a good look at the media used in recording as well as the production process. An interesting read for any music lover.

A tip of the hat to our esteemed leader, Eric Olsen for his Surviving Beach Boys to Appear Together for First Time in a Decade, a comprehensive career overview as well as the news. It's entertaining and reflective; check it out.

From El Bicho:

CD Reviews: T Bone Burnett - Twenty Twenty: The Essential T Bone Burnett and The True False Identity by The Modern Pea Pod
A great examination of an an artist and his work. Even though I disagreed with some points raised, the article kept my attention and interest, illustrating the strength of the arguments and the writing. Not just the week, but one of my picks for the year.

BOOKS

Looking inward and outward, two of the articles deserving extra attention this week were:

Bonnie's review of Our Stories, Our Songs: African Children Talk About AIDS, which is, she says, "a good introduction to the Sub-Saharan AIDS crisis for children and a reminder of the human realities of the crisis for readers of all ages." There's so much about the world that we should inform ourselves of, that you don't always get time to read all you'd like. But if you can't get to the book, this comprehensive review and sampler would be a good substitute.