[Tue, 8.Jul.08]

[Tue, 8.Jul.08]
Lucinda Williams
29.Jun.08: Iowa City, IA
Judging by this concert, Williams seems to have emerged unscathed from the demons that used to torment her. She sang with an easygoing grace. The edginess that once made her concerts dangerous was no longer present. It was clear Williams was having a good time and enjoyed performing to an appreciative audience.

[Mon, 7.Jul.08]
Liz Phair
24.Jun.08: Chicago, IL
The only way to have approached this show was in the exact manner that Liz Phair delivered it; a detached celebration of an album that leaves its indelible mark on those who listen, regardless of time, or criticism, or who Liz Phair was then, is now, or will be in 15 more years.

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News, Reviews and Commentary from the World of Popular Culture

[Tue, 8.Jul.08]
:. USA’s ‘Burn Notice’ is back and quirky as ever
:. A preview of the E3 game convention
:. Campaign coverage highlights disconnect between media, black community
:. Is nonprofit newsroom’s shaky start an omen?
:. It’s a new world — Emmy needs to expand horizons
:. INTERVIEW:World flavors spice up Julieta Venegas’ acoustic CD
:. INTERVIEW:Alison Moyet had to say Yaz to reunion tour
:. INTERVIEW:In new memoir, Broadway composer Charles Strouse looks back on success, failure and tumult
:. INTERVIEW:British TV’s ‘Robbie Coltrane: Incredible Britain’ gets a U.S. release on DVD

[Mon, 7.Jul.08]
:. MTV Gets Political
:. Don’t break the bank for Bonnaroo: Portland’s penny conscious alternative
:. Ron Perlman is proud to hide his face behind the mask of ‘Hellboy’
:. ‘Batman Begins’ wings its way over to Blu-ray
:. INTERVIEW:Derek Trucks balances fatherhood, 3 bands and a new home studio for him and his guitar-goddess wife
:. This week looks like a strange one in TV land
:. Make-believe is the real thing for ‘Journey’ star Brendan Fraser
:. Coverage of Michelle Obama draws scrutiny of black, white feminists
:. Candidates shape campaign tactics to fit the Internet age
:. Argentine tango veterans revive glory days
:. The Mile High Music festival announces lineup
:. Conor Oberst releases first “solo” record since his preteens

[Thu, 3.Jul.08]
:. INTERVIEW:Phish bassist Mike Gordon tries new fest for size
:. INTERVIEW:Art-house filmmaker is just a Guy from Winnipeg
:. R&B and its offshoots deliver a message that crosses racial boundaries
:. INTERVIEW:Unheroic superhero appealed to director ‘Hancock’ director Peter Berg

FEATURES

Pleased to Meet Me: A Pre-Post Racial Tribute to Barack Obama
By David Swerdlick
[8.Jul.08] :. Maybe the Obama phenomenon is neither the beginning nor the end of the national conversation on race. Maybe it's half-time.

Tales of Mighty Antietam
By Jon Langmead
[7.Jul.08] :. With the release of their new epic double-album, rock stalwarts Antietam sit down with PopMatters' Jon Langmead to dissect their long, storied, and powerful past, pulling off shoestring-budget miracles in the hopes that just one song is all that is needed to change your life.

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Pop Past: Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten
By PopMatters Staff
[8.Jul.08] :. The DVD of this title releases today. In memory of Strummer, Pop Past revists this special feature, Joe Strummer 1952-2002, originally published in December 2002.

From the Cheap Seats: C-O-M-P-E-T-E
By Tobias Peterson
[7.Jul.08] :. The novelty of pitting eight- to 15-year-olds against one another for popular amusement can be glossed over in the name of educational achievement.

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