It's been a week of reflection here at Blogcritics as many of our writers have shared personal experiences and thoughts about 9/11. We've also discussed (and argued about) the impact that event has had upon our cultural and political landscape. The discussions continue — feel free to join in.
Elsewhere on the site, we continue to bring you the best in reviews, news, and commentary. This is what our editors liked the most this week. There's something here for everyone — if you're unsure of where to dive in, start at the top and work your way to the bottom. You won't regret it.
MUSIC
From Music Editor Connie Phillips:
DJRadiohead recounts his trip to the store at midnight to purchase the album and then talks about staying up all night to listen to it in Music Review: Highway Companion - Tom Petty. Coming from a die-hard fan, what he has to say is not only insightful but balanced.
Hugh Ruppersburg digs deep in his review of Bob Dylan's Modern Times and examines the album and shares his thoughts on Dylan in general.
In I'm Just A Girl With A One-Track Mind: A Music List, Joan Hunt talks about a playlist she put together and the underlying theme. This one is a lot of fun.
Maybe Mark Saleski hasn't ever been line dancing, but his Music Review: Billy Ray Cyrus - Wanna Be Your Joe takes a pretty fair look at the new album from an artist often overshadowed by his one big hit.
From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:
It's never too late to be funny. And in Eric Whelchel's very humourous A Lazy Indie Junkie's Outdated Review Of The 2006 MTV VMAs, he proves that to be true.
What man doesn't like Barenaked Ladies? And Jeff Martin is no exception, although he thinks they could be better.
Connie Phillips is unashamed to think Rick Springfield was relevant to rock music in her informative Music Review: Rick Springfield - We Are The '80s.
From Editor El Bicho:
Liner Notables #3: The Velvet Underground And Nico by Gordon Hauptfleisch.
Mr. H's series brings warranted attention to a lost art form. His articles are always an enjoyable read and his writing simultaneously fills me with inspiration and self-doubt in regards to my own work.
BOOKS
From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:
A bumper autumn crop this week makes picking particularly difficult, but I finally settled on two articles that, in different ways, explore the stories and themes behind the stories.
Bonnie reviewed Mindscan by Robert J. Sawyer, which, she explains, embraces "the idea that genre is a way of framing a human story, rather than the whole story in itself". Those tempted to dismiss sci-fi as a genre should explore this review as an entry into its complexities. For, Bonnie says, Sawyer has you "thinking about what is, and how it could
be".
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Diana, thank you for mentioning me in the same space as the many fine writers listed above. I greatly appreciate the recognition of a piece that means so much to me. Thank you.
2 - Eric Berlin
Thanks very much El Bicho, almost seems worth it now that I was up until 2 am Monday morning writing the review of The Wire, killing my sleep pattern for three solid days!
3 - Jet in Columbus
Wow! Two in one week!!! Thanks to Mark Schannon and thanks to Lisa McKay. Much appreciated for the shout out.
Love
Jet
4 - Gordon Hauptfleisch
Thank you, El Bicho--much appreciated.
5 - Joan Hunt
Thanks for spotlighting my article on Steve Irwin. As I've said many times over, Steve's impact on my family was enormous, particularly for my son. I can't imagine what our lives would have been like without him bringing such enthusiasm for wildlife into our home.
6 - DJRadiohead
Very nice. Thank you, Connie.
7 - Eric Berlin
It should be well pointed out that Joanie's coverage of Steve Irwin has been tremendous !
8 - Jet in Columbus
If anyone hasn't read all of these articles, please do so now. Having said that it's very important to me that if you haven't read my featured sci/tech article "Stop that...or you'll go blind!", I URGENTLY ask that you do it now, for your own health.
I'm not pimping an article, I sincerely want all of you to be safe.
Jet
9 - Howard Dratch
Thanks Lisa for enjoying my memories of Easy Rider enough to feature them here. I am happy to be included.