Business was anything but usual this past week, as a group of BC editors rendezvoused in Las Vegas and a group stayed behind to mind the store. While some of us took in the sights of Sin City, Blogcritics the world over did what they always do — they wrote about absolutely everything under the sun. Here's the best of it!
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
From Music Editor Connie Phillips:
Mat Brewster's look at glam or hair metal with his Music Review: Poison 20th Anniversary Reissues "ain't nothing but a good time" and is well worth the read.
In CD Review: The Cure - The Top (Deluxe Reissue) Timothy Jarret examines the album in question while putting it in perspective with the rest of the band's releases.
From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:
Big Geez fixes us up a mess of greens tells us how Pokeweed Inspired A Classic Blues Song, and then goes from collard greens to greenbacks when he helps you to Rediscover The Music Of James Bond.
Richard Marcus gives us some insight into the relationship between fathers and sons with his review of The Torch by Ronnie Baker Brooks.
From Editor DJRadiohead:
Mark Sahm has added a sidekick to his "Best on the 'net" podcast Magic Junk Radio.
The vacationing Mark Saleski turned in some great reviews. His Muse review was one of my favorites.
BOOKS
From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:A highly topical subject, an author easily in the American Giant class: but does it live up to the billing? Tim Gebhart reviews Terrorist by John Updike with critical sensitivity, concluding that "Despite Updike's attention to detail, Ahmad never really comes off as real."
Then for a tastier text, Bonnie reviews Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl. Probably not one to read when you're hungry, for Bonnie's review is as tasty as the book sounds.
From Film Editor Erin McMaster:
I'm not normally into books with mythical beings in them, but Anna Creech made In The Company of Ogres seem interesting without coming off as a crazed fan.
TV/FILM
From Film Editor Erin McMaster:
Pat Evans takes a great look at Killer Klowns From Outer Space and even explains why the likes of Troma Trash and cult classics are good for every film buff.
Article comments
1 - Mat Brewster
Thanks for the pick Connie. I guess I'm out of the hair metal closet for good.
2 - Glen Boyd
So here we have the rather "quiet" return of the editors picks. Anyway, nice to see this feature back (even if none of my pearls of journalistic wisdom for the week got picked...LOL).
Hope everybody had fun in Vegas too. I'll see y'all next year...finances and location permitting...
-Glen
3 - Mayank Austen Soofi
What! No me! Oh oh oh. Ah ah ah. ha ha ha. Congratulations to last week's best bloggers.
4 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Mark, thank you. When do I get my free bottle of Hennessey's Cognac?
5 - Tim Gebhart
I'd been on a dry streak for quite a while for the picks. I, of course, attribute that to the increasing quality of what's being posted rather than a decline or rut in my writing.
Thanks to Natalie and Mark for breaking it with a pick in two different categories, including one that strays from my usual stomping grounds
6 - Al Barger
Thank you.
7 - Jet in Columbus
Did I miss the picks for Aug 1-8?
8 - Lisa McKay
I didn't run them last week, Jet. Many of us, myself included, were about to head out to Las Vegas, so we took the week off.
9 - Jet in Columbus
Lisa you just can't stop rubbing it in that you all went to Vegas without us can you? Next time I'm going to throw a huge party and raid the liquor cabinet while your gone and leave the house in a big mess.
{:^p~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10 - Phillip Winn
Or, Jet, I don't know -- you could come along!
11 - gonzo marx
bah...they won't even let me near Vegas...
but i digress...
Congratz to all!
Excelsior?
12 - Jared Wright
Wow, big thanks, both to Diana and Erin. Glad you've found the writing engaging! Definitely an encouraging way to start my stay at BC.
13 - Staci Schoff
Thanks Dave --- how very cool!
14 - Anna Creech
Thanks, Erin! I generally try to avoid coming off as a crazed fan.
15 - Richard Marcus
Thanks Dave for the pick, and Connie too. Both articles were fun to write for entirely different reasons...
cheers
Richard
16 - Mayank Austen Soofi
Richard, how do you manage to write so well-written articles almost on a daily basis? Do you have a collection of them? Do thoughts just happen to you?
17 - Apollo
Thank you :)
18 - S.Rod
DJR: Thank you for picking the Magic Junk Radio Podcast! You have excellent taste. ;)
19 - John Guilfoil
Thanks again for the pick!!