Another use for duct tape. . .

This is your brain on bad television. . .

HBO's new dark circus fantasy.

The focus of the most recent trade collection of Harvey Pekar’s American Splendor series, Unsung Hero (Dark Horse), may initially throw readers coming to Pekar’s comics from the currently released American Splendor flick. Instead of the autobiographical thoughts and travails of Cleveland’s most famous file clerk, Hero recounts the Vietnam …

Volume One in a classic comic strip reprint series.

Partway into slow country waltz “Will We Ever?,” the opening track to Marshall Crenshaw’s first real studio album in four years, I started worrying that MC had made his Nick Lowe move, de-emphasizing his once impeccable rockin’ pop crispness in pursuit of a more muted sound. (“It’s Dig My Mood …

Some thoughts on Rykodisc's "Zappa Picks" series.

Mark my words, it’s already been a good year for smartpop. Between the New Pornographers and Fountains of Wayne – now this summery disc from Grandaddy – canny popgeeks have had plenty of opportunity to taste the pleasures of hooks & harmonies, strummed guitars & rockin’ midtempos, subtle keybs & …

Chaykin & Tischman's faux historical graphic adventure.

Recalling musical parodist Allan Sherman.