AltWeeklies Wire
Tempe Street Preacher Omar Call Preaches the Gospel of Atheismnew

Usually, street preachers share the word of God. But this blue velvet guy is a different kind of preacher. He's a devout non-believer, and he preaches atheism.
Phoenix New Times |
Niki D'Andrea |
12-30-2008 |
Religion
Blogger Mark Smith Finds Cheer in Kansas City’s Most Depressing Placesnew
He rants about crime, his past and blight. He has earned enemies, engaging in a flame war with self-appointed crime-fighter Alonzo Washington after Washington trashed the family of a crime victim for refusing his help.
2008: The Year South Florida Hip-Hop Went Globalnew
Rappers from the region stepped up their game exponentially, and the entire country responded.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Jonathan Cunningham |
12-30-2008 |
Music
The 10 Most Preposterous Rap Songs of 2008new
Busted rhymes from Rick Ross to Fat Joe and back again.
Miami New Times |
Ben Westhoff |
12-30-2008 |
Music
Tags: hip-hop, Year in Review
Connecticut's Senate Seats are Not For Salenew
The political horse-trading in Illinois and New York present the best opportunity in years to reform Connecticut's laws concerning filling Senate vacancies, says Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz.
New Haven Advocate |
Andy Bromage |
12-30-2008 |
Politics
'The Elfish Gene' is One Man's Reflection on Life in Fantasylandnew
Whether or not The Elfish Gene lives up to the cleverness of its title (meh), its self-inflicted cheap shots threaten its charm. Barrowcliffe chooses laughs over homage every time. What would his 12-year-old self think?
New Haven Advocate |
Craig Fehrman |
12-30-2008 |
Nonfiction
Gregg Allman Talks Hammond, Tape and Shroomsnew
I've got Gregg Allman on the line and he's telling me a story about the time he and the rest of the Allman Brothers Band lived together and ate psilocybin tablets (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) every day for eight weeks.
New Haven Advocate |
Sean Corbett |
12-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
'Benjamin Button' Looks Cool, but Is That Reason Enough to Care?new
Unfortunately, Benjamin's aging process isn't the only thing the movie gets backward. Despite all the care lavished on its execution, it never manages to be about anything more than its own gimmickry.
Philadelphia City Paper |
Sam Adams |
12-30-2008 |
Reviews
Two Photography Books Remember Punk's Growth Spurtsnew

Punk may roll a little in its grave now that it's been mythologized, but if it's going to get the coffee table treatment at least Skins & Punks and Radio Silence: A Selected Visual History of American Hardcore Music offer it respect.
Baltimore City Paper |
Tony Ware |
12-30-2008 |
Nonfiction
Connecticut Dems Can't Bring Themselves to Formally Punish Liebermannew
Democrats debated loudly last week whether Lieberman should be formally censured or simply rebuked in a letter signed by the party. The whole thing felt like a marriage therapy session gone wrong, with Lieberman as cheating husband and party leaders as spurned spouses.
New Haven Advocate |
Andy Bromage |
12-30-2008 |
Politics
Colorado Might Have the Only Anime-Focused Ensemble in the Countrynew

The Symphonic Anime Orchestra may very well be the only group devoted entirely to playing music from anime and Japanese video games.
Boulder Weekly |
Dylan Otto Krider |
12-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Movie Buzz: 2008 Year in Review
2008: Year of the Superhero? With no major movie releases on January 2, this week's Movie Buzz reflects on the truly buzz-worthy flicks of 2008.
Metro Spirit |
Mariah Gardner |
12-29-2008 |
Movies
Jackson Pop-Punkers At Cliffs End Know How to Go Through Vansnew
In the less than two years since the band formed and began touring, the group has seen one burn due to wiring problems, another destroyed when they collided with a tree, and a third is currently under repair.
Jackson Free Press |
Candace Parker |
12-29-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Baked Potato: Like Manna from Heavennew
After a day or two of fasting on just broth and juice, that baked potato was like manna from heaven. Even today, a baked potato has almost spiritual connotations for me.
Jackson Free Press |
Sarah Christine Bolton |
12-29-2008 |
Food+Drink
Moving On to New Thingsnew
I hate moving! If I had to make a list of my least desirable things to do, moving would be just above being held hostage in a Cambodian prison camp and getting a prostate exam from a blind doctor.
Jackson Free Press |
Kamikaze |
12-29-2008 |
Commentary