Blogcritics Editors’ Picks: October 11 through October 17

Our multi-faceted writers take on just about everything this week.  

We're still saying goodbye to Tower Records (and listening to lots of good music while we're at it), the book reviewers are reading plenty these days, and the political writers look at everything from the role of Christianity in modern-day American politics to the insanity of our current marijuana laws.

If there's something you missed, this is what the editors liked best. Start here, but don't feel compelled to stop here… there's lots more where this came from.

MUSIC

From Music Editor Connie Phillips:

In Why Tower Matters (To Me, At Least), Stephen V Funk added his fond memories of Tower Records and analysis of what the loss of this icon means to the way music is made available to us.

Adam Hoff shared his insight and thoughtfully explained and predicted the future of hip-hop in Hip-Hop Regional Report: Who's Got Next in NYC?

DJRadiohead lets the reader know how repeated listens helped this CD grow on him in Music Review: Robert Randolph & The Family Band – Colorblind. Mark Saleski also shared a noteworthy review of the same album, telling our readers all about the album in his own classic style.

In Music Review: Eric Clapton – Live at Montreux 1986, El Bicho shared every nuance of the DVD/CD set.

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

Mistress La Spliffe hates the Scissor sisters with all the love in her heart. She explains everything in Scissor Sisters, I Don't Feel Like Smilin'.

You must attend the Big Geez's master class on crooners entitled From Sinatra To Rod Stewart – The Crooner Conundrum. This is required reading for your music devotee degree and there will be a test afterwards.

BOOKS

From Books Editor Natalie Bennett:

I haven't read The Road by Cormac McCarthy, but having perused Hugh Ruppersburg's review, I want to. This is a review that paints a clear, strong picture of what is obviously a hugely powerful, if depressing text. And Hugh asks a highly pertinent question: after this, what next for McCarthy?

With a more direct take on the modern world, The Mission Song also sounds like powerful exploration of the issues of today. Richard Marcus reviews Le Carré's latest, providing not just an excellent explanation of this book, but of the author's lifetime progress in line with the changing shape of the international political world.

From Asst. Books Editor Gordon Hauptfleisch:

In her very first piece for Blogritics, CChen makes an expressive declaration in support of her subject matter and shows a depth and breadth of expertise in Confession of a Closet Science Fiction Fan. The genre, she states, allows for "more experimentation, and it often makes for a more intriguing read than some of literary fiction that is out there."

In his interview with Frank Kogan, Scott Butki didn't just come up with interesting questions such as "Which is more rare: a great album or a great review of an album?" These were questions that triggered some visceral, expect-the-unexpected responses and articulate elaboration.

Although Flags of Our Fathers "is a book about great events, it's also a very human story." Deftly encapsulating the outward events and inner turmoil, Jinger Jarrett's review perfectly conveys the book's all-embracing emotional range — the sense of hope and sacrifice — that took place during and in the aftermath of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.

TV/FILM

From TV Editor Jackie:

I just don't know how she does it. I really don't. But, each week Connie Phillips gives us the lowdown on the week's happenings as she Makes the Rounds at General Hospital – personal opinions and the events of the week, perfect!

NancyGail's latest recap in her C.S.I.: NY feature is her best article ever in the series! Well-written, interesting, and it makes me wish that I hadn't missed the episode. Kudos to Nancy!

From TV Editor TV and Film Guy:

Being mildly lactose intolerant, a nice glass of milk isn't exactly my cup of tea, as it were. But, Diane Kristine makes a good case as to why I'd rather drink a cup of milk than get hit by the truck that delivers it. And the movie in question certainly sounds better than both of those alternatives.

I don't really wish to enter any sort of social or political activitism debate on either side — you know, they get nuanced and detailed and lack the funny. I like the funny. Thank goodness Take Out puts the humor back into it all. Humor, social activism, and a side of fries — Staci Schoff's review has it all.

From Film Editor Lisa McKay:

I'm not sure Dust Devil is my cup of tea, but damned if the Duke de Mondo's review didn't practically force me to add it to my Netflix queue.

David Winchell provides us with an early look at Clint Eastwood's latest directorial effort, Flags of Our Fathers. This review puts both the film's flaws and strengths in perspective.

CULTURE

From Asst. Music Editor A.L. Harper:

It's us AND them now, E.I. explains more in his informative and interesting article Same-Sex Couples Increase by 30%.

POLITICS

From Politics Editor Dave Nalle:

Christianity is Becoming the Problem by Lono — surprisingly insightful with some interesting bits of information which were quite enlightening.

From Asst. Politics Editor Mark Schannon:

Alzheimer's, Marijuana And Sensible Drug Policy by Dave Nalle is a sensible, rational, logical argument for the medical use of marijana… of course it'll never pass.

Daring to Dream – What To Do When You Want Indians And Pakistanis To Come Close To Each Other? by Mayank Austen Soofi is a wonderful plea for sanity on both sides of the Pakistan/Indian border that has much broader implications for the world as a whole.

Between the Cowardice of the Dems and the Uselessness of the GOP, I Vote For Mel Gibson by Adam Ash is vicious, funny, angry, superb at using hyperbole, and exaggerated to perfection.

From Asst. Politics Editor John Bambenek:

Big Dog takes on Harry Reid in Reid Him His Rights, which points out what should be known to everyone by now… both political parties are corrupt to the core.

Dave Nalle goes into depth in Iraq Casualties: Flawed Methodology Lives Again, which beats on bad statistics being used to inflate war death figures.

Brad Schader asks, Is There a Third Option? expressing a desire to have a viable third party. It'll never happen (there is nothing keeping a third or forth or fifth party from being just as corrupt) but an election-year examination of what the party-system does for US democracy is always a good read.

From Comments Editor Christopher Rose:

Just as political dogma can obscure politics, organised religion and its accompanying ideology can get in the way of simple spirituality. Lono's article Christianity Is Becoming The Problem shows one of the ways the current Christian establishment is over-reaching itself. What would Jesus do?

SPORTS

From Sports Editor Matthew T. Sussman:

Sal Marinello condemned the fight between Miami and Florida International this past weekend and it stemmed some rather peculiar comments from certain individuals.

GAMING

From Gaming Editor Ken Edwards:

PS2 Review: King of Fighters 2006 by Aaron Auzins. KOF's second foray into the third-dimension makes for a better game but there's still room for improvement.

SCI/TECH

From Sci/Tech Editor Lisa McKay:

In a thoughtful piece titled The Affliction of the Web, Haydn Shaughnessy raises the issue of our collective failure to think creatively and insightfully in relation to the potential promise of the web.

COMMENT OF THE WEEK

From Comments Editor Christopher Rose:

Dawn is better known for her razor sharp wit and claws but also deploys a healthily high level of clear-sighted good sense.

Posted by Dawn to There's No Such Thing as a Gay Pedophile on 2006.10.12, 08:33:16 AM

Michael, I, on the other hand, am deeply gratified that you wrote this article. I have always found it disgusting how the ill-informed and clearly ignorant bible-thumpers and bigots in general, try to combine homosexuality with pedophilia. Your citing a highly educated and erudite researcher on the matter is far more conclusive than any wingnut screaming from the rafters. Besides, the evidence is overwhelming in your favor. Like those who say that stereotypes exist for a reason because a certain number of any group display similar behaviors – it's well-documented that convicted pedophiles and closeted pedophiles are in fact NOT your average gay person seeking mutual affection from someone who is also an adult homosexual. Pedophiles are clearly sick and twisted, whereas gay people are only as sick and twisted as their heterosexual counterparts.