Welcome to a low budget, no frills, retooling, yet no less quality in total edition of the finest articles of the week, as brought to you by the editorial staff of Blogcritics.org. Look for fancy-schmancy remodeling and flying buttresses and so forth next week, and please pardon all of the construction!
For what awaits can only delight you to your soul's very core.
Enjoy.
Music
Music Editor: Connie Phillips
CD Review: The Beastie Boys - Solid Gold Hits by Robert Burke (Dec. 7)
In this offering Robert not only gives a thorough and detailed review of the CD in question, but a comprehensive and interesting look at the history of the band. It is well-spoken and complete, giving the reader comprehensive and enjoyable look at everything Beastie Boys.
Concert Review: Ill Nino w/ Opiate for the Masses, Unbalanced, Junket on 12/7/05 by Chris Beaumont (Dec. 8)
Chris gives us yet another great article in this concert review, complete with pictures. With enthusiasm and details he tells us of his history with the band and their music as well as giving the reader a front row seat to this show. Leaving no detail untold, he writes beyond the show itself but gives us a feel of the room and the crowd, giving the reader the whole experience.
Books
Books Editor: Warren Kelly
America's Right Turn by Richard A. Viguerie & David Franke by Marty Dodge (Dec. 3)
Marty's review shows that, no matter what you think of their policies, conservatives have done something right, and anyone who wants to succeed in politics should emulate their methods, if not their policies.
Book Review: How I Grew - A Memoir of the Early Years by Mary McCarthy by Alpha (Dec. 9)
Some great personal touches in this review. I get the feeling that Alpha could write a fascinating memoir of his own.
Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres by Tim Gebhart (Dec. 9)
Tim gives a valuable summary to this book, which I'd like to make required reading for every family that calls itself Christian. I appreciate the fact that he notes that the book is not definitive, but my own experience leads me to believe that many Christian families fall short of the ideal, and there are those that fall far short.
Article comments
1 - Aaman
I nominate the "miracle of Fatima" thread for bringing forth some of the most innovative creative writing ever seen on the web in a single place, and that too in the comments section.
2 - Eric Olsen
super job EB, thanks for leading Editor's Picks into the next generation! Thanks too to Temple for the original idea and iteration
3 - Aaron Fleming
Ha brilliant! Thank you Duke for the pick, I am honoured beyond all caskets full of flaming albatros' with Switzerland for heads. Cheers!
4 - Eric Berlin
Thanks EO! And thanks also to Temple -- I shall try to keep the tradition alive and strong.
5 - Chris Beaumont
Thank you so much, Connie!
Congrats to all the picks!
6 - Eric Berlin
Thank you, Chris!
7 - Mark Sahm
Thanks for the nod, Lisa. Glad I could make you realize your inner quit-stay. :o)
8 - Scott Butki
Congrats to those picked.
9 - alpha
Thanks. I liked the book. I am glad you liked the review.
I was about to take Shark's recent jibe about blogging as intellectual masturbation and give the blogging addiction up. Like masturbation, however, it is fun -- especially with a second pick of the week to feel good about.
10 - Eric Berlin
It's also "stimulating"
11 - Kay Bell
Wow! I'm honored and terrified ... and thrilled that wonkiness sometimes works! Thanks!
12 - Kay Bell
My Blogcritics fave so far this week is Best Disturbing Songs by Scott Butki (music review). Scott takes an admittedly subjective look at lyrics (not melodies; whole 'nother story there!) that he finds particularly unsettling and tells why. Interesting choices, personal, political, visceral, which is what good music should do -- make you feel it. And the ensuring comment thread is just as fascinating readers look inside themselves and their CD cabinets.
I also want to give a nod to Joe Battista's review of the new Jimmie Dale Gilmore CD. A little outside the nomination time frame parameters (posted Dec. 1), but I enjoyed reading about a singer/songwriter and style of music that doesn't get much mainstream attention.
13 - Kay Bell
d'oh! proofed twice and still missed it -- ensuing not ensuring!
14 - alpha
Since I was one of the Chosen for the week and get to nominate another; even though mine was for a book review I would like to nominate Dave Nalle's Eugene McCarthy: The Last Great Progressive at Eugene McCarthy.
I was impressed by it not merely because it reminded me of times past and a sense of political honesty and responsibility but because it was so well written, cogent, organized, and insightful.
Not only all of that but it introduced me to the idea of politician as poet; a truly 18th and 19th century concept. As are responsible politicians, it seems.
Kudos to Dave for a eulogy that met the quality of the man.
15 - Scott Butki
Thanks, Kay.
Yes, Dave's piece is great.
Congrats to all chosen this week.
16 - Dave Nalle
Thanks, Alpha and Scott.
Alpha, you make me think I should have said something about his poetry in the text of the article. The poem I quoted has actually been anthologized extensively and is considered a 'significant' poem, so he wasn't just a dabbler in poetry, he had some real talent.
You also make me think that I ought to write something on literary political figures like Disraeli, Oliver Wendell Holmes and even Newt Gingrich. I think that as a group they tend to be among the more interesting and insightful of our leaders.
Dave