GoHah chose:
Single Review: 'Til Tuesday "Voices Carry" by Pam Avoledo (Dec. 9)
I was immediately drawn to the article because I'm a big Aimee Mann fan, but the writing more than lived up to the promising enticement, and, moreover, represents a larger purpose. Pam insightfully and sensitively explores the song, lyrically and musically, and
expressively renders her analysis in well-considered detail and comprehensiveness. In a more general sense, Pam's choice of subject matter — an appreciative glance back at a fondly remembered work — also shows the free-rein adventurousness and flexibility of Blogcritics' writers and editors, willing and eager to spotlight both the past as well as the shiny and new.
Duke de Mondo chose:
Movie Review - Scorpius Gigantus by Aaron Fleming (Dec. 7)
Aaron Fleming's masterful appraisal of the latest Jeff Fahey opus made me wanna claw my teeth out wi delight. Truffaut, Darwin, Sartre, Miles Davis and Jeff Fahey all in the one article. If I wasn't in love with a review of Bright Eyes I read one time, I'd demand nothing less than sweet filth from this slab of hilarious Faheyist discourse.
Production Notes
Due to some production delays caused by winter's snow and intermittent solar flare brain static, this week's choices cover the period from 12/3 – 12/13.
How'd we choose these things? Find out here.
Please send you input, ideas, and suggestions to Eric Berlin: dumpsterbust@gmail.com.
And thanks for stopping by!
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