AltWeeklies Wire
Why Southern Hip-Hop Is the Same as FOX Newsnew
Though FOX News and Southern rap both have anti-intellectual appeal, there's more to the story than that. Rather than simply pandering to the red-state masses, they have tapped into powerful populist sensibilities in areas that didn't previously have a national voice.
Manic Hispanic Coversnew
Americans recording Mexican songs: The bueno, the bad and the muy ugly.
Tags: covers
Last Call for Gladiator Sandalsnew
There are no real tips for wearing gladiator flats -- they go with everything from teeny denim cutoffs to sundresses and rompers, though it's best to avoid the earth-tone varieties.
How Jeremy Williams' Death Devastated Orange County's First Pro Mixed-Martial-Arts Teamnew
In late 2006, when Marco Ruas was forming the Condors, he approached Williams about joining the team. Williams had quit fighting four years before to be a coach.
Miles Bonny is the Innate Sounds Crew's 'Alpha' Malenew
Miles is all about the positive these days. The storied local DJ, hip-hop producer, jazz trumpeter and soul singer who has released solo material overseas has a new day job: as a case manager for troubled teens in Wyandotte County.
Estelle Shows Us How to Shinenew
Not familiar with Estelle? Atlantic Records is betting you will be any minute now, as her album Shine lands in stores this week. It's full of a rare blend of purposely jarring hip-hop, soul, and pop tunes that, at times, seem too transatlantic for their own good, but overall are refreshing.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Jonathan Cunningham |
05-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Four More Years for Gov. Rick Perry?new
The soon-to-be longest-serving governor in Texas history says he wants to extend his run. If Perry wins again in two years, his administration will be on track to last 14 years -- longer than the lifespan of most dogs. Every dog has its day. Let's hope Perry has had his.
The Texas Observer |
Editorial |
05-07-2008 |
Commentary
Tags: Texas, Rick Perry
Starbucks Subsidiary has Big Plans Brewing for Hilary McRaenew
She signed with Hear Music, the Starbucks subsidiary that's home to such superstars as Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Carly Simon.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Lee Zimmerman |
05-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Inside the Oil Conundrumnew

Excerpts from Robert Bryce's Gusher of Lies: The Dangerous Delusions of "Energy Independence".
The Texas Observer |
Robert Bryce |
05-07-2008 |
Excerpts
'The King of Texas' Looks at Eagle Pennell's Brilliant, but Wasted, Lifenew
The proto-indie filmmaker's highs and many lows are chronicled in this new documentary.
The Texas Observer |
Steve McVicker |
05-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'One Hell of a Ride' Encapsulates Willie Nelson in Five Hoursnew

For a recording career that began more than a half-century ago in the studios of Pleasanton radio station KBOP, where Nelson recorded "When I've Sung My Last Hillbilly Song," his body of work acquits itself quite well in today's post-album digital age.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
05-07-2008 |
Reviews
'World Made By Hand' Conveys Post-Oil Society Through Richly Descriptive Narrativenew
While no doubt many consider him a doomsayer or a kook, Kunstler has become a go-to guest lecturer on topics ranging from architecture to urban planning to peak oil -- and now he's translated ideas in his nonfiction writing into a novel.
The Texas Observer |
C.B. Evans |
05-07-2008 |
Fiction
Can Portland's 5,000 Cyclists Swing a City Hall Election?new

Bikes are the new babies in Portland elections, where it seems every candidate gets photographed wearing a helmet and a smile. Stop laughing. There really is a bike lobby here -- in influence, sorta like Big Oil in Dallas or Little Havana in Miami, just without the cash.
Willamette Week |
Corey Pein |
05-07-2008 |
Politics
Lowcountry High Rollers Hope to Bring Roller Derby to Charlestonnew
A lot of girls in the area long to be named Miss South Carolina. More power to them. But only one girl in the land of pluff mud and seersucker suits decided that she would take on the name of Philly Phuck and refashion herself as a rock'em, sock'em roller derby queen.
Charleston City Paper |
Kinsey Labberton |
05-07-2008 |
Sports
Skankin' it with Stephen Marleynew
Even if you can't name a Stephen Marley song, you've likely heard his music. When he released his first solo album last year, Mind Control, the second oldest son of Bob Marley already had five Grammys on his shelf -- more than his father, or for that matter, any other reggae artist in history.
Charleston City Paper |
Stratton Lawrence |
05-07-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews