AltWeeklies Wire
M83 Loves the '80snew
M83's earlier albums delved into subdued electronic shoegaze that earned comparisons with The Cure, My Bloody Valentine and Cocteau Twins. Those elements are still present on Saturdays=Youth, just with the frown subtly turned upside down.
San Diego CityBeat |
Nathan Dinsdale |
05-20-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Chickens of Law-and-Order Hysteria Have Come Home to Roost in San Diegonew
California's prison system has been a colossal waste of taxpayer money, and few lawmakers (other than Gov. Schwarzenegger) have been brave enough to talk about it. During the past 20 or so years, the easiest thing for politicians to do has been to promise to lock up as many criminals as possible for as long as possible.
San Diego CityBeat |
San Diego CityBeat |
05-20-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Tags: California, prison reform
At the New Orleans City Council, Mother Knows Bestnew
New Orleans City Council president Jackie Clarkson proved last week why she earns comparisons to the legendary Lindy Boggs, who will always rank as the most gracious politician ever to have served Louisiana.
Gambit |
Clancy DuBos |
05-20-2009 |
Commentary
Tags: Jackie Clarkson, New Orleans
Jim Gaffigan: Banal Retentivenew
Comedian Jim Gaffigan jokes about mundane topics in his signature washed-out, falsetto delivery.
Gambit |
Noah Bonaparte Pais |
05-20-2009 |
Performance
Tags: Jim Gaffigan, stand-up comedy
A Pastor's Crusade to Stop the Violence in New Orleansnew
Pastor John Raphael helped start Yes We Care in response to New Orleans' out-of-control murder rate. He vows the group will respond to every murder in the city.
Gambit |
David Winkler-Schmit |
05-20-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Notes from San Antonio's Underground Economynew

San Antonio is engaged in a vast and diverse "shadow economy," a bajillion financial transactions by countless folks whose necessities are paid for through means not accounted for by the GNP, not measured in the Dow Jones, and usually not registered with the IRS.
San Antonio Current |
Sarah Fisch |
05-20-2009 |
Economy
The Puzzling Dilemma of an Artist Who Rejects the Imperative of the Contemporarynew
Danville Chadbourne doesn't want to be a contemporary artist, but he has no choice if he wants to be an artist who continues to matter.
San Antonio Current |
Elaine Wolff |
05-20-2009 |
Art
Tags: Danville Chadbourne, visual art
Apple Miner Colony Is Out to Make 'Awesome Shit' Happennew

While Polyphonic Spree's robed chanting kicks into Valium overdose mode sometime during mic check, 23-member Apple Miner Colony's songs proceed like an orgy you have to sit through an awkward blind date to be invited to, and the emotional payoff is greater because of it.
San Antonio Current |
Jeremy Martin |
05-20-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: indie rock, Apple Miner Colony
Why Are Bike Riders Still Treated as Second-Class Citizens?new
The bicycle has become a metaphor for progress that is long overdue. But measures to improve bicycle access in San Francisco often face an uphill climb.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones |
05-20-2009 |
Transportation
Tags: San Francisco, bicycling
Foreclosure Wave Speeds San Francisco's Black Exodusnew
San Francisco political leaders have focused on a plan to subsidize construction of thousands of new condos in the southeast section of the city — the heart of the San Francisco's remaining African American community.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Sarah Phelan |
05-20-2009 |
Housing & Development
Thrills and Chills and Disco Ball Spills — That's What the Horrors Are Made Ofnew
In contrast to the easy-sleazy comic-book corn of today's prominent goth-punk purveyors, Primary Colours boasts driving tunes carved from silvery synth textures and Jesus and Mary Chain-like buzz-saw pop that thumps with creative negativity.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Kimberly Chun |
05-20-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Neo-Nazis and Extreme Right-Wingers Love Joe Arpaionew

The Maricopa County sheriff's pattern of courting extremist nativists over the past four years is the natural result of Arpaio's Johnny-come-lately stand on illegal immigration, his immigration sweeps, and his Archie Bunker-like attitude regarding racial and ethnic issues wrapped up in the immigration debate.
Phoenix New Times |
Stephen Lemons |
05-19-2009 |
Politics
Missouri's Death Penalty May Not Outlive Dennis Skillicorn Very Longnew

Two bills in Missouri's Legislature have proposed a moratorium on the death penalty and a review board to examine issues such as cost, fairness and the risk of wrongful execution.
The Pitch |
Nadia Pflaum |
05-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Florida Native American Tribe Keeps Quiet About a Series of Traffic Deathsnew
The family of a woman who perished in an auto collision with an Indian leader's kin is crying cover-up.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Gus Garcia-Roberts |
05-19-2009 |
Crime & Justice
The Infestation of Classic Rock Threatens the Cultural Legacy of an Entire Generationnew
Young people who subsist on classic rock are traitors to their contemporaries. Our generation has no lack of quality artists, but the vast majority of us are too lazy to seek them out.
Houston Press |
Ben Westhoff |
05-19-2009 |
Music
Tags: classic rock, commentary