Blogcritics Editors’ Picks: April 5 through April 11

Among other things, this week’s picks offer a musical memoir, a menu of the kind of comfort food you can’t eat, and a suggested use for spam that doesn’t involve fried eggs. In addition, you’ll find the usual excellent reviews, and some talk about politics and sports and everything in between!

Let me take a moment to 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

From Music Editor Connie Phillips:

CD Review: Blue October – Foiled by Erin McMaster
Witty and charming Erin brings her own flavor to this review of a CD that has received a good amount of attention at Blogcritics. She also brings to it the unique angle of being from the same hometown and having seen several live shows.

CD Review: Fishscale by Ghostface Killah by Sterfish
Sterfish lends a distinctive voice to this review examining the release from all angles and giving a bit of insight into Ghostface Killah in general.

Secondhand Smoke: A Memoir of Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush by Jewels Richardson. Jewels takes us on a stroll down memory lane, telling us of her backstage experiences in this informative and interesting read.

BOOKS

From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:

Self-Help for the Hindsighted by Elizabeth Colville
While hundreds of thousands of books are published around the world every year, we know most won’t stand up against the classics. Elizabeth suggests that Bertrand Russell’s 1930 The Conquest of Happiness is the self-help book par excellence – just the text to sort out Paris Hilton. Excellent writing is combined with distinctly original thought in this article.

Comfort Food for The Mind by Richard Marcus
Which books on your shelf are the equivalent of macaroni cheese and fruit jelly? What do you read when you’re ill, tired, or just want to escape? Richard explains his choices – and might just provide you with some new suggestions, if your current collection is becoming a little too well-thumbed. He concludes: “A person can’t live on hobbits alone.”

TV/FILM

From TV Editor Joan Hunt:

HGTV: Make A Statement in Your Living Space by Jim Wynne
A look at home decorating shows through a whimsical eye. By whimsical, I mean “not hilarious” but rather having a “focal point”. Oh, forget it. Just read this and you’ll see what I mean.

American Idol – Down to Eight by Chancelucky
I really, really, really hate American Idol, but I love this particular view of the show!

At What Point do I Give Up on Lost? by Craig Lyndall
I can’t imagine ever giving up on Lost, but then again, I’m a sucker
for the weird. I hope Craig sticks around long enough to find out what the island is all about.

From Film Editor Erin McMaster:

Jeliel’s review of Lucky Number Slevin is what made me decide to actually go see the movie, and I rarely see a movie based on a review. In fact, this might be the first time. So thanks for the recommendation, Jeliel.

Is Lost just a tease? I don’t know, but ask Craig Lyndall about when he will Give Up on Lost. He’ll tell you about the roller coaster of the show and just how it makes him feel.

CULTURE

From Culture Editor Diana Hartman:

Attitude and energy may be wasted on the young, but it doesn’t run out with age. Dawn Olsen hits us with her best shot in Am I Too Old To Rock And Roll?, answering her own question with a resounding “No!”

POLITICS

From Politics Editor Dave Nalle:

I’m Confused About Democrats by Mark Schannon
Thought provoking examination of the frustrating inadequacies of the Democratic party.

Fat Girl Cleavage More Offensive Than Thin Girl Cleavage. Why? by Candye Kane
An articulate and amusing inside look at a little considered aspect of prejudice against large women.

From Asst. Politics Editor Mark Schannon:

Have I Become A Bigot Regarding Fundamentalists? by Jet in Columbus
An interesting take on how the word “fundamentalist” has come to carry such negative connotation. Also raises excellent points about how impossible it seems to be for people to do other than fight over issues.

SPORTS

From Sports Editor Matthew T. Sussman:

A Fitting Name for the New York Mets New Ballpark: Jackie Robinson Field by Victor Lana
The title says it all. Victor recognizes what Jackie Robinson did for baseball in nearby Brooklyn. And what better way to honor his legacy than to name the Mets’ new stadium after him? I mean, after all, the stadium is gonna be on 126th street. Divide 126 by three (the number of years until it opens, in 2009) and you have 42 – Robinson’s number. That’s spooky enough, so make it happen.

My Excellent Curling Adventure by Mary K. Williams
Of course an essay about curling makes the editor’s picks. What kind of person do you take me for? But Mary, a relative outsider to the sport, found herself having a great time. Even better, her teenage son also in attendance “had complained quite vigorously … but when it was all said and done, he was the last one who wanted to leave.” That makes up for the glaring error in the headline — when she said “excellent curling” she repeated herself.

GAMING

From Gaming Editor Ken Edwards:

Mac Game Review: Best Of OMG Vol. 1 by David R Perry
The Best of the Original Mac Games Volume 1 features some of the best in independent Mac gaming from both Freeverse as well as other developers. This collection is worth a look, even if not every game is a success.

GameCube Review: The Simpsons – Hit & Run by Deano
An oldy but goody, The Simpsons: Hit & Run was released across all consoles and PC in 2003. It is still worth a look, however, as it brings Springfield to life in GTA-like fashion.

SCI/TECH

From Sci/Tech Editor Lisa McKay:

Spam. You hate it. You wish it would just disappear. And how do all those spammers get your email address anyway? SciTech Watch columnist Johniac provides the answer to that question and gives us some useful tips on what to do with that stuff in this informative article on Email Spam.

Picked by last week’s chosen author:

From Howard Dratch:

Since my post of last week, Will Blogging Make You Blind?, was picked, I am allowed to chime in this week. Two honors for the price of one.

It is never easy and these days the quality of articles is improving to keep pace with the quantity. Richard Marcus has been more prolific than ever and courageously open in some of his articles. This week, though, I would single out his Interview with Arlo Guthrie because it was well done and fun and because I was spending the week listening to Arlo and Woody, Pete Seeger and Joan Baez. Thanks, Richard.

Diana Hartman wrote and made a visual assemblage of signs about xenophobia and bigotry for the debate on Immigration and Integration. It cut to the chase and made the point far better than lengthy battles and long-windedness.[ADBLOCKHERE]