A Running Commentary

Vampire Weekend – self-titled (XL)
Producer: Rostum Batmanglij
Rating: 5 of 5
Top tracks: Walcott, Oxford Comma, A-Punk, M79
The hype was heavy but the record unquestionably delivers. The warm, organic feel and eclectic range recalls Paul Simon’s Graceland seasoned with the progressive edge of The Clash. Vibrant and playful, the Vampires deliver hip indie pop ala The […]

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Despite the tone of many a political speech, the United States is not a direct democracy. By design the American system is instead a representative one, placing a level of removal between the will of the people and governmental action. Where a pure democracy grants citizens direct control through vote or proxy, elected […]

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How pissed off are the Clintonistas right now? No matter what Hillary does she cannot seem to score. The release yesterday of the “phone call” ad was a classic Clinton move (view below). A pointed, attention grabbing commercial released with impeccable timing so as to dominate a full news cycle, gaining gargantuan […]

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U23D
Directed: Catherine Owens, Mark Pellington
Starring: Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr.
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Unlike U2’s other theater release, 1988’s art-styled Rattle & Hum, U23D is neither pretentious nor protracted. Produced in conjunction with National Geographic, the movie is as much jaw-dropping Discovery channel fare as concert experience. Captured with the largest […]

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