Friday , March 29 2024
Damn, we're good.

Blogcritics Editors’ Picks: October 4 through October 10

We're an interesting bunch, that's for sure.

We've mourned the loss of Tower Records and philosophized over the decline of the neighborhood music store in the digital age, we continue to extol the virtues of reading, we wax eloquent about the Wild West, we've been to the multiplex to see the newest Scorsese, we are trés knowledgeable about film noir, we're trying not to get Lost in TV-land, and we're talking (or not) about a certain Congressman. On top of that, there's music reviews, gaming reviews, and sports talk.

If you're feeling out of the loop, you can be sure this week's picks are a good place to catch up because we've rounded up the best, just to make your life easier.

Damn, we're good. 

MUSIC

From Music Editor Connie Phillips:

Erin McMaster really likes the new Joshua Radin CD, and that passion for this music shone quite brightly in her review of Music Review: Joshua Radin – We Were Here.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is eloquently explain why you dislike an album. Michael J. West made it look easy in his Music Review: Dom Minasi – The Vampire's Revenge.

Glen Boyd received well-deserved attention for his article, When Are We Going To Let The Hippies Back Into The Record Store?, discussing Tower Records closing its doors. Also sharing his thoughts on the topic in an articulate way was Ray Ellis with Tower Records, RIP.

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

Janet Jackson still talks to my naughty side and Don Baiocchi knows it. His review of Jackson's latest album, 20 Y.O., convinced me to buy the album and I love it!

One crazy and lyrical Irishman reviews another in Duke De Mondo's Music Review: The
Pogues – Hell's Ditch
.

From Executive Producer Eric Berlin:

Ray Ellis' Tower Records, RIP charts the end of an era, perhaps, with the closing of Tower Records stores worldwide. Good stuff and important stuff for anyone who grew up browsing record racks. I'll never forget stumbling across the Suicide Machines debut album myself at the Tower on Broadway and 4th in New York City.

From Film Editor Erin McMaster:

Josh Phillips reviews John Popper Project's collaboration with DJ Logic. Not only does Josh do a nice job reviewing the album, he does a nice job explaining how blues and rap can actually work well together.

BOOKS

From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:

In The Boy Who Got Lost In The Library Shelves, Howard Dratch takes us on a magical childhood journey. The title, on one level, tells you where you are going, but there are other levels. I won't say more — check it out for yourself.

Then, I'm often delighted by the variety of the book reviews we get on Blogcritics, but this, I think, is the first review of a book of poetry written (at least in part) in Jamaican patois — Mi Revalueshanary Fren. Snarkattack says — in an immediately comprehensible, if surprising, metaphor — it is just like reading Chaucer.

From Asst. Books Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:

SJ Reidhead
, in her enticing review Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal, also handily provides a critical overview of Wyatt and the Wild West as presented in various biographies. As SJ evocatively says of these writings, "One can smell the aroma of the cattle lots, hear the lone whistle of the train, the squeak of the saloon sign as it blows in the wind, or the sound of jinglebobs of spurs on boots…" It's a far cry from my recent residence a couple blocks from where Wyatt owned a gambling hall and saloons in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, but my sense of smell and sound seemed to get a little keener in the reading.

"I enjoyed the short, punchy prose and compact chapters," Mel Odom says of The Wheelman. I enjoyed Mel's short, punchy style and compact review. He has a way with words and can turn a mean phrase. "I felt hurled to the end rather than along for the ride," notes Mel. Just about the right feeling for a suspenseful crime novel whose twists and turns have twists and turns.

TV/FILM

From TV Editor Jackie:

Ian Woolstencroft, a true comic book fan, gives his seal of approval to the season premiere of Heroes in his review of the same. Since he's over the pond, he hasn't seen the latest. I can't wait to read his take on the next episode!

It's easy to get lost watching Lost, but Erin McMaster's article on the Lost season three premiere has the skinny. Well, as much skinny as the show is giving us, that is.

From TV Editor TV and Film Guy:

Sure, sure, you may have seen it already, but Clydefro explains why you should go see Martin Scorsese's new movie, The Departed, anyway.

Have you ever been bored during a movie? I mean really, really bored? And what if the director made it boring on purpose? Does it all of the sudden become not boring? Is boring a choice? The subject matter may be deadly dull, but Diane Kristine's article on it certainly isn't. Check out her look at Antonio Vivaldi: A Prince in Venice.

From Film Editor Lisa McKay:

The Modern Pea Pod sees to it that noir gets what it's got coming to it in this excellent six-part Film Noir Special Series, in which they review several genre classics released by Warner Home Video. If you've got a soft spot in your hard-boiled heart for ceiling fans, shadowy rendezvous, and classy dames, I heartily recommend you read these, and then check out the films.

From Film Editor Erin McMaster:

Nik Dirga calms my worries and makes Curious George seem loveable for all ages, including those of us who grew up learning lessons right alongside that curious little monkey.

El Bicho's writer Caballero Oscuro introduces us to a new documentary, So Much So Fast, and in doing so gives heart to what could have easily been nothing more than exploitation.

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

Blogcritics' own award winning filmmaker Duke De Mondo takes us through the history of Gay in cinema in his fabulously funny review of Fabulous! The Story Of Queer Cinema.

CULTURE

From Culture Editor Diana Hartman:

SJ Reidhead's series of articles leading up to the 125th Anniversary of the Gunfight at the OK Corral is a well-written and most interesting perspective of the lives and times. SJ shines light into the darkness of the past and shows the depth and texture of the era through detailed historical essay and book review. As if this weren't enough, she does also take us behind the tourist scene for an insider's view of local dining, shopping, and culture. This delightful ride through time begins in The 125th Anniversary of the Gunfight at the OK Corral and continues in a Could You Survive in 1881 Tombstone?, but it isn't quite over yet so check back often to see what's new and what you might have missed.

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

Chantal Stone exposes some talented photobloggers in Photobloggers Exposed: Smart, Talented, and Young.

POLITICS

From Politics Editor Dave Nalle:

Jemaah Islamiyah: Terror in Paradise and Blood On The Sand by Stan Denham is a really moving, personal look at the price of terrorism.

I'm Not Going to Write About Mark Foley
by John Guilfoil is an interesting counterpoint to the slew of other Foley articles.

SPORTS

From Sports Editor Matthew T. Sussman:

At first, I was about to give Adam Hoff all the praise in the world for recognizing Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe as a top Heisman finalist. Then I realized his Chicago scenery gives him a slight bias. However, as I read the rest of his list of the top Heisman Trophy candidates, he was quickly exonerated of being a homer.

GAMING

From Gaming Editor Ken Edwards:

PC Game Review: Black & White by Targ Collective. An old game, but an in-depth review nonetheless.

Nintendo DS Review: Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! (JP) by Aaron Auzins. With Elite Beat Agents just around the corner, we take a look back at the game that started it all.

SCI/TECH

From Sci/Tech Editor Lisa McKay:

Simultaneously waxing poetic and scientific, Eric Olsen reminds us of why this is a good time of year to gaze skyward in the evening in this bit of inspired lunacy about the Harvest Moon.

COMMENT OF THE WEEK

From Comments Editor Christopher Rose:

In this rapid, always-on digital age we live in, it's great to see people still value good old-fashioned books and reading and this week's comment captures that feeling perfectly…

Posted by Nancy to We Love Books – A Blogcritics Book Fair Roundup on 2006.10.04, 10:17:09 AM

I have been in several houses without more than a few token books, & I can't begin to comprehend how these people can stand living like that. Nothing to read – ! It's like living someplace without a bathroom, or water. A house without books may as well have no roof-! If I lived in a cardboard box, I'd have a couple of books around somewhere, I know; they could double as a pillow or a table, but there would have to be books. One of my favorite fantasies used to be getting locked in overnight at the Library of Congress; another was winning one of those contests where the prize was all the books I could get my hands on in 10 minutes, except I'd probably have a nervous breakdown trying to decide which section to start in. I'd definitely have to case the joint first and make a list.

About Lisa McKay

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