AltWeeklies Wire
Yule's Tidenew
A critic searches the season's discs for gems and finds that Elton John has better taste in Christmas pals than Martha Stewart.
Hear What We Hearnew
Don't waste your time at the local listening station comparing 20 versions of "Deck the Halls." The critics have already done that for you (ugh) to recommend the best seasonal albums of 2005.
Dallas Observer |
John Nova Lomax and Sam Machkovech |
12-21-2005 |
Reviews
Christmas-List Albumsnew
Tapes compiled by rock 'n' roll keyboard legend Al Kooper reveal the darker side of stars like Barry White, Buddy Rich, Casey Kasem and Orson Welles, and now you can find the best of the weirdness online.
Houston Press |
John Nova Lomax |
12-19-2005 |
Music
Modern Decor: Burning Bush Firestarter Makes a Hot Giftnew
Just because Christmas has been celebrated for thousands of years doesn't mean your holiday decor has to be outdated. Presents, like the firestarter bearing George Bush's face, can also be timely.
Mountain Xpress |
Hanna Miller |
12-16-2005 |
Shopping
Tags: giftguide2005
House of Spiritsnew
Stumped on how to pick the perfect gift? Give the gift of wine this season.
Jackson Free Press |
Lesley Tolar McHardy |
12-15-2005 |
Food+Drink
Tags: giftguide2005
Hey Santa, Download Thisnew
This year, it's all about single songs downloaded digitally and hardwired into the personal music device of your choice. That's right: Santa's making a playlist and checking it twice.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Tray Butler |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
Even Something for the Jews!new
Our Christmas-loving Jewish critic takes his yearly look at holiday albums the labels sent his way.
Tucson Weekly |
Stephen Seigel |
12-15-2005 |
Reviews
The Village Voice's Favorite 25 Books of 2005new
The top books of the year cover subjects from teen sex diseases and Aztec slaughterhouses to Kiss riffs and juvenile tambourinists.
The Village Voice |
Staff Writers |
12-14-2005 |
Books
Toy Glorynew
Be the cool aunt or the deranged uncle this holiday season. Let the other folk in your family buy the iDog or the RoboRaptor. You're going to get gifts the kids will actually remember -- for better or worse.
Boston Phoenix |
Bill Jensen |
12-13-2005 |
Shopping
Tags: giftguide2005
Inspect a Gadgetnew
Each year, the mainstream media proclaims the holiday season "The Year of the Gadget." As the mainstream media's b.s. detector, we are here to tell you that this is the first bona fide Year of the Gadget.
Boston Phoenix |
Ryan Stewart |
12-13-2005 |
Shopping
Tags: giftguide2005
The Better To Givenew
These are not typical gift books. These are books for the rest of us -- books we would actually buy for ourselves, and our loved ones, be they geek or hipster, intellectual or meathead.
Boston Phoenix |
Boston Phoenix staff |
12-13-2005 |
Fiction
Six Newly Published Books for Foodies on Your Gift Listnew
The food publishing world produced some spicy, absorbing works this year -- give one to a culinary-minded friend or family member.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Bill Addison |
12-08-2005 |
Food+Drink
Tags: giftguide2005
Jingle Booksnew
Have yourself a literary holiday with some unusual small-press publications.
Tucson Weekly |
Jarret Keene |
12-07-2005 |
Nonfiction
Gifts for the Season: the Best of 2005new
Holiday shopping recommendations include scatological and overlooked books, records and DVDs.
East Bay Express |
East Bay Express staff |
11-28-2005 |
Shopping
Hark, The CD Sales Ringnew
Feeling culturally forced to buy your loved ones crap? Don't fret, Stephen Slaybaugh's annual guide will help you buy music for your taste-challenged Christmas listers -- even the one who likes Coldplay -- guilt-free.
Columbus Alive |
Stephen Slaybaugh |
11-25-2005 |
Reviews
