AltWeeklies Wire
PBS Puts a Human Face on Native American Historynew
In terms of exposition, inspiration, and cross-cultural outreach, you can think of We Shall Remain as the Native American Eyes on the Prize. Like that landmark documentary, this series reminds us that true glory lies in the honest histories of people, not the manipulated histories of governments.
Boston Phoenix |
Clif Garboden |
04-08-2009 |
TV
Your Guide to Understanding Rap Lyricsnew
Good news for perplexed suburbanites: a new site called UnderstandRap.com lets experienced rap interpreters explain difficult urban slang to hip-hop neophytes.
Boston Phoenix |
David Thorpe |
04-08-2009 |
Music
Barack Obama, Torture Enabler
Why does it take a Spanish prosecutor to enforce American laws against torture?
Maui Time |
Ted Rall |
04-08-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Jim Jones' 'Pray IV Reign'new
While many established rappers are being downsized from major-label deals to "independent" contracts, Harlem MC Jim Jones is climbing up the food chain.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs' 'It's Blitz!'new
Watching an act like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs realize their potential is the closest thing childless music nerds may have to watching a kid grow up, and though it may not be nearly as enriching, it's satisfying nonetheless.
The Bizarre Case of the People vs. Steve Rocconew
Former Orange Unified School District trustee Steve Rocco claims that a secretive cabal is the real power behind Orange County government. Now he stands accused of stealing a bottle of Heinz ketchup from a Chapman University cafeteria.
The Life and Times Hits the Road with a Joyful New Albumnew
The band proves that three dudes from the Midwest who grew up on Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin can produce music that, while not as commercially successful as their idols', is no less transcendent.
The Pitch |
Jason Harper |
04-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Fifteen Years After Kurt Cobain's Death, Would-Be Nirvanas Share His Broken Crownnew
Ever since Kurt Cobain, Seattle's seminal grunge hero, shot himself in the head, slews of would-be successors to Nirvana's sonic throne have come and gone.
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
04-08-2009 |
Music
The Dirty Truth About 'Clean' Electionsnew
It turns out that even during these tough economic times, you and I are footing the bill for politicians to purchase home-office supplies, sushi dinners, even the occasional GPS system. And our candidates for office get to keep that stuff when the campaign is over — the expenses in question are, apparently, perfectly legal.
Phoenix New Times |
Sarah Fenske |
04-08-2009 |
Politics
Kelly Hansen Joins 'Hot Blooded' Rockers Foreignernew
After more lineup changes than the average Astros season, Mick Jones reconvened Foreigner in 2004 and enlisted Kelly Hansen, formerly of the '80s L.A. heavy-metal band Hurricane, to sing lead.
Houston Press |
Chris Gray |
04-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
It's Easy for a Homeowner's Payments to Fall Through the Cracksnew
Nancy Perez discovered that the worst thing to happen to her home was not a fire, but mismanagement among the mortgage servicers -- the companies charged with collecting monthly payments -- on her $76,000 loan.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
04-08-2009 |
Economy
Jamie Stewart's Infinite Sadness Is Exhaustingnew
Jamie Stewart is a morgue-serious songwriter. And yet it's impossible to take the Xiu Xiu frontman seriously. The ache in his indie rock takes introspective moping to such an exaggerated extreme it's difficult to endure with a straight face.
SF Weekly |
Jennifer Maerz |
04-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
JROTC Is Under Fire in S.F. Schoolsnew
It has been a quintessential only-in-San Francisco battle -- the military ambassadors playing the rogues, and the lefty progressives as the establishment -- and one that will not die.
Leslie Hall Is Known for Electro-Dance Pop Beats and Gem Sweatersnew
Though Leslie and the LY's' music is similar to other alternative-electro types, their inspiration remains in the craft-store and thrift-store aisles, with a little (clothing-specific) party mood thrown in.
Gambit |
The Gambit |
04-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Electro-Maestro Dan Deacon Unveils an Android Symphonynew
The unruly Baltimore DIY artists' collective Wham City was evicted in 2007, and the scope of Bromst in turn reflects a post-party Deacon.
Gambit |
Noah Bonaparte Pais |
04-08-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
