A Running Commentary

Perhaps the most insidious piece of historical propaganda advanced by those on the political left is the notion that Fascism is a conservative philosophy. Entire generations of social studies middle-schoolers and political science co-eds have been falsely taught that Socialism and Fascism are at opposite ends of the political spectrum, Socialism being the ultimate […]

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Comedian Lewis Black has a great bit about how Democrats and Republicans consistently present opposing “facts” on the same issues. Black’s demand that “there have to be some FACT facts” illustrates the subjectivity that exists in every speech, interview, and article (including this one). Nowhere is this more evident than the innumerable rants […]

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Bell X1 – Flock (Yep Roc)
Producer: Roger Bechirian
Rating 3.5 of 5
Top tracks: Flame, Bigger Than Me, Rocky Took A Lover
Having missed the foreign release in 2006, the stellar press stoked my hopes for the expanded release of Bell X1’s Flock. Q labeled it “majestic and elegant”, NME a “brave new marker”, and PASTE claimed […]

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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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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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Jumper (Regency / FOX)
Directed: Doug Liman
Writers: David S. Goyer, Jim Uhls, Simon Kinberg
Starring: Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell, Diane Lane
Rating: 4 of 5
Based on the 2002 novel by Steven Gould, this film is a slick X-Men-meets-Unbreakable special effects romp. Though very short, the movie is thoroughly enjoyable for it’s ultra […]

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Dan Wilson – Free Life (American)
Producer: Dan Wilson (Rick Rubin exec)
Rating: 4 of 5
Top Tracks: Breathless, Against History, Cry
Former Semisonic frontman’s latest solo effort, his first since Dixie Chick co-write accolades, predictably benefits from Rick Rubin’s executive production. Rubin’s formula appears simple enough: push great artists to fully utilize their strengths while forcefully shunning […]

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