The political pundits are leading the way this week with coverage on a wide variety of topics, and the TV writers are on hand to look at the past and present of what's good on TV. We learn about frivolous lawsuits and the questionable origins of certain injuries in the Sports section, and are once again reminded of why we can't look away from the train wreck that is Michael Jackson's career. In between, you'll find the usual excellent music reviews, gaming news, and cultural commentary.
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:Richard Marcus gives a reflective and constructive look at this self-titled CD in
CD Review: PovertyNeck Hillbillies - PovertyNeck Hillbillies. Read to find out how this band captured the feel of live music in the studio.
In CD Review: Dashboard Confessional - Dusk and Summer, Rebecca Wright gives
an insightful and detailed review, looking at all aspects of the band as well as the music contained herein.
Paul Roy not only looks at the concert he attended, but the changing face of the concert crowd in his Concert Review: Toto Live At The Loudoun Summer Music Fest.
From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:
Cameron Graham gives us a well written, balanced, and critical review of the new CD, Help Us Help You, by The Chief Smiles. Even the band had to comment.
Growing up can be hard to do particularly when you face the ferocity and passion of your teenage years. Steve Carlson's review of My Republic by Good Riddance shows that even your music grows up...but is it a good thing?
BOOKS
From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:
A fine week that made picking particularly difficult, but I eventually settled on these two, in no particular order:
Nik Dirga offers a treat – a sneak preview of the new adventures of Alice (from Wonderland), Wendy (from Peter Pan), and Dorothy (from Wizard of Oz). These are definitely not, he says, children's stories, but Lost Girls reminds us that "sex can be art".
Dan Treager offers what is not so much a review as an appreciation of James O'Barr's graphic novel The Crow, of which he's just bought his seventh copy. In doing so, he provides a personal, moving, and beautifully constructed account of why it means so much to him.
Article comments
1 - Aaron Fleming
Hurrah, thanks Gordon!
2 - Steve C.
Well, I'll be damned. I think this just proves that I am assuredly not the best judge of my own writing.
Muchas gracias!
3 - Duke De Mondo
thanks much gordon! and what a brilliant "reason for picking" type affair that was.
4 - Dr Politico
Thanks Mark!
Your description of my article is far too generous. No, seriously. The readers are sure to be disappointed!
5 - Richard Marcus
Many thanks Connie, these guys seem to be hero worshiped in the Pa area, judging by the comments I've received at my own site. Everyone seems to think of them as The Best Thing to hit the area - and they are also the band of choice for the Steelers and play all their rallies before big games to whip people into a frezy. I guess that tells you a little more about them.
cheers
Richard
6 - Eric Olsen
great stuff as always - I hope people will take the time to check these out!
Thanks EB, I had to pause a moment to make sure Ihad written such a thing
7 - Mayank 'Austen' Singh
Everytime my pieces are shortlisted for the weekly picks, the few phrases describing them are so magically written and so richly described that it gives me an entirely refresing perspective to my own articles. Thanks Diana. And yes, Dr Politico seems to be very humble.....smile...
8 - Rebecca
Thanks much, for the selection!
9 - Paul Roy
Thanks for the selection Connie.
10 - Nik
Many thanks!
11 - Sterfish
Much thanks for the pick!