AltWeeklies Wire
Meet the New Rock Opera
Colin Meloy and the Decemberists stretch their penchant for story-songs into an album-length piece on The Hazards of Love.
'The Soloist' Is As Much About the Power of Music to Transform As It Is About Friendshipnew
You can learn more about the story of mentally ill musical prodigy Nathaniel Ayers in a 12-minute segment of a March 60 Minutes broadcast than in the 109 minutes of The Soloist. But what a wonderful 109 minutes they are.
San Antonio Current |
John Thomason |
04-22-2009 |
Reviews
The Circle Of Inconvenient Half-Truthsnew
Disney's Earth is a stunning spectacle of nature's richness, packaged and delivered without the faintest whiff of corporate deception. But don't worry, it's in there.
San Antonio Current |
Greg Harman |
04-22-2009 |
Reviews
Detroit Rap's Fastest-Rising Star Creates Her Sonic Calling Card from Activism and Dissentnew
Invincible is one of the best emcees in the country, as many will tell you, gender notwithstanding, though the odds are stacked against her. Politicking in a pop world often spells fiscal failure.
San Antonio Current |
Brian Smith |
04-22-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Lymelife' Nails a Savvy Balance of Comedy and Dramanew
Do we really need another dysfunctional-family flashback with the requisite retro pop hits, pot smoking (back when it came dirt cheap), awkward virginity loss, and nostalgically horrible decor? Sure, why not?
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Dennis Harvey |
04-22-2009 |
Reviews
Nightlife and Street Parties in San Francisco Face Official Crackdowns -- Againnew
As San Francisco's party season gets underway — a time when just about every weekend includes street fairs and festivals — police and other party-poopers keep finding new ways to crack down on the fun.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones and Marke B. |
04-22-2009 |
Policy Issues
What the Fight Over Larry Mazzola Says About the Progressive and Labor Movements and Their Uneasy Relationshipnew
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors' vote to reject Larry Mazzola Jr. for a fairly obscure district board says more about San Francisco's political dynamics, the state of the American labor movement, and the possibilities and pitfalls facing the board's new progressive majority than any in recent memory.
San Francisco Bay Guardian |
Steven T. Jones |
04-22-2009 |
Policy Issues
The Heroic Optimism of Anvilnew
It has been a long, strange trip for Anvil, but the trajectory has been smoothly downward. As Anvil! The Story of Anvil trails Anvil through an increasingly dire European tour, what distinguishes the film is Sacha Gervasi's palpable affection for her subjects, and her subjects' awareness of themselves.
Willamette Week |
Aaron Mesh |
04-22-2009 |
Reviews
An Ex-Lab Assistant at an Oregon University Charges Its Researchers with Cruelty to Rodentsnew
Tony Carr abruptly walked away from a lab assistant job at Oregon Health Science University after three months, saying OHSU's animal research can't be justified ethically or scientifically. Now Carr is going public, hoping his story will prevent unnecessary suffering and lead to better science that doesn’t rely as much on animals.
Willamette Week |
James Pitkin |
04-22-2009 |
Animal Issues
Bet You're Not As Committed to 'Sustainable Living' As These Portlandersnew
The 7-acre Tryon Life Community Farm in Southwest Portland is home to a residential worker collective known as Cedar Moon. Sixteen adults and six children ages 3 to 9 live in two buildings directly off a long, pothole-speckled driveway.
Willamette Week |
Adrienne So |
04-22-2009 |
Environment
Photographer Andy Cook Documents the People Behind the Grim Economic Statisticsnew
Cook recently found himself in the same position as a growing number of Americans -- unexpectedly out of a job. He turned his predicament on its head and the result is Faces of the Recession.
Baltimore City Paper |
Lee Gardner |
04-21-2009 |
Art
Considering Dominique Green, Capital Punishment, and Justicenew
Dominique Green's execution and short life--he was arrested, convicted, and sent to Death Row at age 18--is the subject of popular history writer Thomas Cahill's remarkable new book.
Baltimore City Paper |
Michael Corbin |
04-21-2009 |
Nonfiction
Torche Takes on Metal with an Unlikely Arsenal of Pop Hooksnew
It's a little difficult imagining Torche's eureka formula of unalloyed metal power and unabashed pop hooks not winning over susceptible converts everywhere the Miami/Atlanta-based trio brings it. But to hear drummer Rick Smith tell it, Torche's hybrid appeal hasn't made things as easy as you might think.
Baltimore City Paper |
Lee Gardner |
04-21-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Amadou & Mariam's 'Welcome to Mali'new
From start to finish, the mix of traditional instrumentation, classic rock sounds and forward-thinking clubby production on Welcome to Mali is seamless.
New Haven Advocate |
John Adamian |
04-21-2009 |
Reviews
The Mad World of Connecticut Taxi Regs Ain't Farenew
Connecticut closely controls how many cab licenses it gives out on the grounds that fewer cabs guarantees them more money — and that ensures safer, more dependable taxi service.
New Haven Advocate |
Andy Bromage |
04-21-2009 |
Transportation
Tags: Connecticut, taxicabs
