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Adam BesenyodiFeatures
Feldog Revisited: An Interview with Corey FeldmanFeldman talks to PopMatters about the good, the bad, and the ugly of reality TV. [29 August 2007] Pretenders: Learning to CrawlTheir cathartic third proper album was really the last one under the Pretenders banner that could be considered something more than just a vehicle for frontwoman Hynde -- which is remarkable considering the ashes from which the album rose. [12 July 2007] Quirk Rock: An Interview with They Might Be GiantsJohn Linnell of TMBG reflects on 25 years of music-making, the joy of reading and eating at the same time, and the removal of Hillary Duff's soul in an expansive interview with PopMatters. [9 July 2007] Très Sheik: An Interview with Duncan SheikSongwriter Duncan Sheik talks with PopMatters about the musical Spring Awakening, nominated for 11 Tony Awards, and writing music that's relevant to a larger cultural argument. [8 June 2007] Beyond Black: Rethinking GothThe question of "What is goth?" and the contents of this set will put the spotlight not on the song selection, but on the ridiculousness of genre labels. [31 October 2006] Trippin’: The Cure 1983-1987The third wave of Cure Deluxe Edition releases track Robert Smith's ascent from a murky personal and professional crisis to far-reaching commercial heights. [22 August 2006] We Are the ‘80s: Music for the MassesWhen dealing with something as personal as music, you're never going to please everyone. VH1 Classic's new CD series crosses multiple genres, but suffers when compared to better-prepared sets. [8 August 2006] This Is What the Future Sounded LikeThe Eurythmics' studio collection is remastered and reissued, and the results help make their case as something more than just an MTV new wave anomaly. [5 December 2005] Looking for a Spark: An Interview with Russell MaelRussell Mael shows why Sparks have lived on the fringes of musical culture for the better part of their 25-plus-year career. [1 January 1995] The Struggles of a New Artist, Who Doesn’t See Himself As One: An Interview with JavierThe R&B vocalist turned a summer of radio station grunt work into the start of a varied career. Reviews
Bram Stokers DraculaCoppola's take on Bram Stoker's masterpiece is a visual stunning feast worth revisiting in a Collector's Edition that is more than just a time capsule. [5 October 2007] 
Pet Shop Boys: Cubism [DVD]While Stop Making Sense remains the gold-standard of concert films, Cubism will leave you feeling like you've actually been to a Pet Shop Boys concert. [16 August 2007] 
Echo & the Bunnymen: Dancing Horses [DVD]Mac the Mouth provides a curious evening's viewing on this live Bunnymen DVD release. [24 July 2007] 
The History Channel Presents: Last Stand of the 300The History Channel again comes to the rescue of fans of both Hollywood and academia. [13 July 2007] 
Marilyn Manson: Eat Me, Drink MeThe provocateur returns, invoking both the (anti)Christ persona and Lewis Carroll's Wonderland with Eat Me, Drink Me that, like his best work, incites while bordering on parody. [14 June 2007] 
BigOver the course of eight months, four body switch movies were released in the late '80s. Only one Big remains standing. [12 June 2007] 
Erasure: Light at the End of the WorldAny new album from Erasure is a good thing, but Clarke and Bell's newest offering will leave you feeling their hearts weren't really in this one. [21 May 2007] 
The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss: The Cats Family and FriendsThe Jim Henson Company delivers some low-key, well-done kids' fare. [23 January 2007] 
The Cure: Festival 2005 [DVD]There are plenty of reasons to like this new live DVD from the goth stalwarts, but none of them have anything to do with the visual presentation. [16 January 2007] 
Houseguest: High StrangenessHouseguest has the legs to be more than just another legendary local band, and if their association with the Black Keys gets their foot in the door, more power to them. [3 January 2007] 
Jake Shimabukuro: Gently WeepsShimabukuro's latest is his first solo ukulele effort, and his compositions are slightly weakened in this stripped-down affair. [22 December 2006] 
TAPSTAPS suffers from its post-Vietnam jingoistic voice and a story that you simply don't want to buy into. [15 December 2006] 
The Cars: The Cars Unlocked [DVD]This set compiled by Cars front-man Ric Ocasek can be viewed in two ways: As a fan, or as an audio-video purist. The former will be pleased, the latter will be disappointed. [14 December 2006] 
Greg the Bunny: Best of the Film ParodiesApart from a few gems, the indie Bunny is less compelling than the network sellout Bunny. [9 November 2006] 
Test Icicles: The Dig Your Own Grave EPThe epilogue to the band with the ridiculous name is an engaging enough remix EP. [21 August 2006] Billy IdolThere's still something to be said for the juvenile glee of screaming 'Hey! Get laid!' along with 1,200 strangers. [1 August 2006] Nine Inch Nails + BauhausEverybody in Northeast Ohio has a Trent story from the old days: he used to frequent the record shop where I worked. Of course, I haven't seen him around much lately... [26 June 2006] Mike Doughty BandThe fans that turned out to see ex-Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty may not have needed converting, but I sure did. [16 June 2006] 
Various Artists: Red Hot + Blue [DVD]Conceived as a multimedia AIDS awareness package, the re-release of this 15 year-old project succeeds when the message doesn't overpower the inherent strength and subtlety of Cole Porter's songs. [15 June 2006] 
New York Doll (2006)What started out as a small documentary on the uncomfortable but engaging New York Dolls bassist turned into a full-scale revelation, tracking his improbable journey of rock 'n' roll redemption. [27 March 2006] 
APB: Something to Believe InA lot of people who shelled out over 100 dollars for the Scottish trio's first release/singles collection are going to be pissed off. [17 March 2006] The Lakewood ProjectYoung band dorks met old rock legends in a HOB performance that blew the hell out of your standard spring recital... [14 February 2006] 
The Capes: HelloClosely associated both musically and personally with their buddies in Bloc Party, the Capes are a band that's lacking much that would distinguish them from their brethren. [31 January 2006] 
Simple Minds: Black & White 050505Cynics beware: this is not a band cashing in and checking out, or a band trying to recapture any past cultural significance; it's a band that still has something to say and a beautiful way of saying it. [27 January 2006] 
My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult: Gay, Black and MarriedGay, Black and Married. If ever there were four words meant to be strung together to form a My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult album title, those are the ones. [23 January 2006] LeBron James 21st Birthday PartyIt sounds crazy: throwing a birthday party with no announced entertainment and charging admission. Of course, when you're LeBron James, you can do anything... [20 January 2006] 
Mick Harvey: One Man’s TreasureHarvey's collection of emotionally brutal songs is delivered with the vision of a cowboy looking at life through the bottom of a glass of whisky. 
Face to Face: Shoot the Moon: The Essential CollectionExploring the melodic side of the So Cal skate punk scene, Face to Face's new retrospective lives up to its name by distilling their best work into a single disc package. [11 January 2006] 
Super Deluxe: Surrender!Super Deluxe is the mid-'90s throwback you weren't really waiting for and don't really need. [4 January 2006] 
Ris Paul Ric: Purple BlazeA murky, psychedelic journey through the backwaters of the former Q and Not U singer and bassist turns up a dense solo debut that is tough to get your head around. [22 December 2005] 
El Presidente: El PresidentePut aside your Scissor Sisters comparisons. El Presidente is more engaging, more original, and classier than Scissor Sisters have ever been. [15 December 2005] 
Bauhaus: Shadow of Light/Archive [DVD]Breaking ground to create post-punk's gloomy, minimalistic step-child, and inspiring legions of lost kids to don black eyeliner, nail polish, and lipstick, Goth icons Bauhaus solidify their position with these visual documents. [5 December 2005] 
The Rakes: Capture/Release / Retreat [EP]The Rakes' pub crawl soundtrack on the Capture/Release UK album and the Retreat US EP reveal the 'it' band hype is somewhat unfounded. [1 December 2005] 
Various Artists: Back Against the WallUltimately, reproducing an icon like The Wall is a no-win situation: Perform the songs spot-on, and you lack creativity. Monkey with the material and you infuriate the faithful. [30 November 2005] 
Various Artists: Live 8 at Eden: Africa Calling [DVD]The red-headed step-child of the Live 8 shows, Live 8 at Eden: Africa Calling shows a vibrant, artistic people, ultimately putting a face on the continent Western celebrities and musicians have tried to aid for the past 20 years. [29 November 2005] 
Peter Gabriel: Still Growing Up Live & Unwrapped [DVD]One of the toughest things about growing older is watching your heroes age with you, especially when they age poorly. [21 November 2005] 
Miri Ben-Ari: The Hip-Hop ViolinistIt's a Miri Ben-Ari album because she wrote and arranged the strings and plays violin on it, but at the end of the day it is simply an excellent hip-hop mix-tape. [10 November 2005] 
Various Artists: Jamie Oldaker’s Mad Dogs & OkiesA celebration of Oklahoma's country blues musical heritage. [9 November 2005] 
Pixies: Sell Out [DVD]Commemorating the reformation of this influential band nearly 15 years after they peaked and walked away, this new DVD is lightning in a bottle. [4 November 2005] Ris Paul RicSince D.C. powerhouse Q and Not U parted ways, singer Chris Richards has been working his way across America, playing small venues and -- in some cases -- record stores... [2 November 2005] 
Simply Red: SimplifiedHucknall has produced a collection of stripped-down, jazzy numbers that reflect the maturity of an artist who has been going strong for two decades. [28 October 2005] 
Andy Bell: Electric BlueThe voice of Erasure fronts Manhattan Clique's disco synthpop beats in his lyric-driven solo debut. Let the innuendo fly!" [27 October 2005] 
Dead Can Dance: Memento: The Very Best of Dead Can DanceWhen taken in context with the entire Dead Can Dance catalog, the third US retrospective seems unnecessary and designed solely to line the coffers. [18 October 2005] 
Jake Shimabukuro: DragonThe ukulele virtuoso shows why he is a perfect ambassador for the Aloha State to the rest of the world. Now it's time for the Mainland to catch up. [17 October 2005] 
Dropsonic: Insects with Angel WingsLike The Cult a generation before, Dropsonic has picked up the heavy metal-cum-post-punk mantle and run with it. But for being what could amount to the heir to an heir, Dropsonic is successful. [23 September 2005] 
The Bluefoot Project: BraveDrawing from strong and varied influences, this urban collective delivers chillful soul from the funky underground, and the result is so much more than a chillout album. [6 September 2005] 
String Cheese Incident: One Step CloserProving themselves as something more than a jam band, SCI's new album showcases their ability to write accessible three- and four-minute songs -- and that's a good thing!" [18 August 2005] 
Brian Eno: Another Day on EarthWhile the review copy was difficult to access, the work was rewarding when finally uncovered. This is the timeless future-pop one expects from the rock snob icon. [12 August 2005] 
Devo: Devo - Live 1980 [DVD]In spite of the poor video quality, the new Dual Disc release is a historical document worth preserving, remarkable for the fact that a record of the show even exists. [1 August 2005] 
Various Artists: Songs from the Underground: NYC SubwayTrying hard to deliver, Songs from the Underground provides a platform for musically diverse NYC buskers to showcase talent that might not otherwise be heard if you weren't a commuter. [19 July 2005] BlogsShort Ends and Leader: Depth of Field: Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation [9 May 2007]Consuming Consumables: LISTEN - Life Less Lived: The Gothic Box [30 November 2006] |
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