The glass bottom boat of the cultural press
In the news today: The Dillinger Escape Plan, R.E.M., Breaking Benjamin, Jasen Rauch, Janelle Monáe, Gordon Lightfoot, Grandaddy, Nikki Sixx. Mötley Crüe, Ghost, Vinyl, Rammstein, Eurovision, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Four Tet, Kieran Hebden, William Tyler, Willie Nelson, Imagine Dragons, The Hives, Gorilla Biscuits, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks
A cranky old guy is redeemed by spirits of the past. He reviews A Christmas Carol, while he’s at it.
Despite being denied theatrical release, Adam Stovall’s striking debut feature gets an amazing Blu-ray release from Arrow Video.
Notes and quotes on the fourth day of 2018 Orlando Fringe.
Notes and quotes on the third day of 2018 Orlando Fringe.
III (Soft Abuse). Review by Aaron Shaul.
It’s easy to be jealous, but it’s probably better to follow Damon and Naomi’s example of growing up and growing awesome in a musical genre overcrowded with manchildren, the ins and outs of which can be glimpsed on the 1001 Nights DVD.
Overloaded Ark (Drag City). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Psychic Psummer (Important). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Sonic Portation (Prophase Music). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Helena Espvall & Masaki Batoh (Drag City). Review by Aaron Shaul.
Overture: Live in Nippon Yusen Soko 2006 (Drag City). Review by Aaron Shaul.
New Geocentric World (Squealer). Review by Matthew Moyer.
A.J. Croce celebrates the 50th anniversary of his father, Jim Croce’s, three ground breaking albums, with a nationwide tour of Croce Plays Croce.
High Above Harlesden 1978 - 2023 from On-U Sound collects 60 dub and reggae tracks from Creation Rebel, an astounding set of musicians.
Gerta O. Egy’s beautifully drawn fungi almost eclipse their fairyland habitats in her Mushroom Daydream Coloring Book.
One of the last of the classic wuxia swordplay films stands as a fitting coda to the grand period of the genre. Phil Bailey reviews a new Blu-ray release of the 1975 film The Valiant Ones.
The Complete Friends of Old-Time Music Concert (Smithsonian Folkways Records). Review by Bob Pomeroy.
Smash Mouth takes us back to The Brady Bunch circa 1973, with “Sunshine Day,” featuring Barry Williams, the original Greg Brady.
Not everyone can be excited by blocks spinning on a screen, but if you are, Ian Koss recommends you pay attention to Best of Five.
The final two films in the bonkers Hong Kong action comedy series The Inspector Wears Skirts hit Blu-ray from 88 Films.
A pair of early “girls with guns” action films from superstars Michelle Yeoh and Cynthia Rothrock have arrived from 88 Films.