AltWeeklies Wire
Mental Disability Evidence Turns 2003 ELF Fire-Bombing Case on its Headnew
A court will finally hear arguments on whether a former graduate student's developmental disorder to blame for his involvement in a radical environmentalist plot to strike back against American wastefulness by firebombing gas-guzzling Hummers.
Pasadena Weekly |
Jake Armstrong |
09-21-2009 |
Environment
What Made the World Trade Center Fall?new
One of the crucial technical disputes in American history is underway. It pits government technicians who say the WTC buildings were brought down by airplane impact against architects and building engineers who insist that the Twin Towers could never have collapsed solely due to the planes and are calling for a new independent investigation.
Santa Barbara Independent |
Jay Levin and Tom McKenzie |
09-21-2009 |
Science
Sub Pop Offshoot Hardly Art is Hardly Starvingnew
Like the now-defunct Sub Pop offshoot label Die Young Stay Pretty, Hardly Art receives financial backing from Sub Pop. But unlike DYSP, Hardly Art is determined to live to see middle age on its own dime.
Seattle Weekly |
Sara Brickner |
09-21-2009 |
Music
David Dingwall Stuffs His Leopard-Skin Shorts and Shoots for the Starsnew
After a lifetime of starts and stalls, after all his preparation for a comeback, it's ironic that it's the brilliant comedy video White Boy that could transform this old-school Catskills crooner into a 21st century Internet star.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Tara Murtha |
09-21-2009 |
Performance
Rod Blagojevich's Book: Think Socrates, Not Icarusnew
The Governor isn't mythological material, though it contains plenty of myth. But it's a fine warning on the pitfalls of democracy.
Chicago Reader |
Mick Dumke |
09-21-2009 |
Nonfiction
Cartoon: Why They Fightnew
The lawn around the Vietnam Vets memorial in DC is in terrible shape. Finally, a way to give meaning to the deaths of soldiers in Afghanistan.
Elementary School Dropout: Why I Am Giving Up Teachingnew
Many teachers overcome the numerous challenges and serve the children of Philadelphia for decades. But I won't be.
Philadelphia Weekly |
Brenden Beck |
09-21-2009 |
Education
European Report Shatters the Myth of the Olympics' Economic Benefitsnew
While boosters predict that hosting the 2016 Olympics would bring Illinois $22.5 billion, a crucial report from the European Tour Operators Association came to the conclusion that "there appears to be little evidence of any benefit to tourism of hosting an Olympic Games, and considerable evidence of damage."
Chicago Reader |
Deanna Isaacs |
09-21-2009 |
Economy
The Ghost of Bush: How Dubya's Court Can Undo Democracynew
Make no mistake about it. The Supreme Court is the ticking time bomb Dubya left in the executive bedroom. And it's about to blow.
Artvoice |
Michael I. Niman |
09-18-2009 |
Commentary
Five Books That Have Helped Make This a Great Year for Short-Story Collectionsnew
They may be small, but short stories have been getting a lot of ink lately. It has been a banner year for new short-story collections, with impressive efforts from first-time authors and veterans alike. Here's the cream of this year's crop.
Las Vegas Weekly |
David Berke |
09-18-2009 |
Books
'Our Noise' Tells the Story of Merge Records, and Tells it Wellnew
The book is remarkably candid; it thoroughly examines interpersonal and financial problems, not just triumphs. Because of the candor, we believe the portrayal of Merge as a genuinely noble label, with an uncommon blend of ethics, frugality and business savvy.
INDY Week |
Brian Howe |
09-18-2009 |
Nonfiction
Hanging With the Hells: Quebec's Most Notorious Criminals, Observed in Their Southern Habitatnew
I was hoping to escape Montreal's brutal winters but instead found myself sharing a tropical resort with local criminals -- and witnessing their unlikely takedown at the hands of the Dominican Republic's notorious cops.
Montreal Mirror |
Chris Barry |
09-18-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Two Jersey Boys Called Spider Bags Find a New Chance in North Carolinanew
Goodbye Cruel World, Hello Crueler World, the second album by Spider Bags, is a glorious mess. Each of its 10 tracks feels as if it fights from beneath a haze of distortion or gasps for air underneath a tide of tape hiss.
INDY Week |
Grayson Currin |
09-18-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Bored to Death' is Full of Listless Ironynew
Since HBO's genuinely funny Flight of the Conchords is likely gone for good, the network could really use some original programming with a goofy sense of humor. Unfortunately Bored is far too smug and weak-willed to actually be funny, but at least it's sometimes light on its feet and has few pretensions to profundity.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Josh Bell |
09-18-2009 |
TV
Dear 'Diary': Sunny Day Real Estate Returnsnew
Judging from the band's beaming comments, this current reunion -- all original members, all old songs -- feels like a sincere gesture, and while it's hard to ignore the nostalgia and historical revisionism of it all, it's just nice to have Sunny Day Real Estate back in our lives.
The Portland Mercury |
Ezra Ace Caraeff |
09-18-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
