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Charles A. HohmanFeatures
Bea Arthur’s Subversive SexualityI would always rank Bea near the top of my desired celebrity conquests, alongside more conventional choices like Natalie Portman and Jenny Lewis. [22 September 2009] Sex in the U.S.A.: Male Sexuality in Springsteen’s American DreamBorn in the U.S.A. turns 25 this year. Hohman looks at how Bruce Springsteen stresses male sexuality as imperative to the American Dream on the seminal album, but asks, where does that leave the women? [20 July 2009] Reviews
Heavy Rotation by Peter Terzian (ed.)This is a book strictly for the upper middle class by the upper middle class, confessions of the comfortable. It could use a better program director, and a bit more variety on its playlist. [23 September 2009] 
Mindy Smith: Stupid LoveOn her third album, Mindy Smith still has the exquisite voice of a hummingbird, and the emotional fortitude of one. [19 August 2009] 
Caroline Peyton: Mock Up / IntuitionRecent reissues position '70s folkie Caroline Peyton as an undiscovered treasure, but she's more a performer of unrealized potential. [24 July 2009] 
Deer Tick: Born on Flag DayDeer Tick's boozy and bloozy sophomore album finds no future in America's present, and a troublesome comfort in America's past. [6 July 2009] 
Tommy James and the Shondells: 40 Years: The Complete Singles Collection (1966-2006)Tommy James sells both the Shondells and his own legacy short with a chintzy, useless new "career-spanning" retrospective [15 May 2009] 
Josiah Leming: Angels UndercoverNew EP proves a memorable American Idol also-ran was worthy of the big stage. [5 May 2009] 
Flying Burrito Brothers The Gilded Palace of Sin by Bob ProehlProehl refuses to worship at the altar of Saint Gram, acknowledging the myriad flaws of its creator alongside the brilliance of the music. [31 March 2009] 
Lily Allen: It’s Not Me, It’s YouOn Lily Allen's sophomore disc, everything is no longer wonderful. But still catchy. [9 February 2009] 
Little Richard: The Very Best of Little RichardLittle Richard's Specialty hits stand the test of time, but the rarities in this package do not. [9 December 2008] 
The Urges: Psych WardThe Urges' retro-rock goes for cheap thrills and raw power, but gets bogged down in mundanity instead. [8 December 2008] 
Jan & Dean: The Complete Liberty SinglesTwo discs of Jan & Dean's Liberty singles make the case for delightful songs, but not for a legendary band. [21 November 2008] 
Inara George with Van Dyke Parks: An InvitationInara George and Van Dyke Parks can recreate antiquated boudoir music, but cannot push it into this century. [19 November 2008] 
The Pop Project: Stars of Stage and ScreenThe Pop Project needs your love; offers hooky tunes in returns. [18 November 2008] 
Icons of Pop Music: Bob Dylan & Elvis CostelloDissecting larger-than-life subjects, and their prolific catalogs, in compact form produces a kitchen sink approach that sometimes undermines the analysis. [7 November 2008] 
Chumbawamba: The Boy Bands Have WonChumbawamba sing songs of change, but the new album is more of the same. [30 September 2008] 
Adam Marsland: Daylight Kissing Night - Adam Marsland’s Greatest HitsHypermelodic pop maestro gets his due on an affordable best-of. 
Sam Champion: Heavenly BenderSam Champion's bender is stuck somewhere between hellish and heavenly. [8 September 2008] 
Chris Difford: The Last Temptation Of ChrisErstwhile Squeeze lyricist's "Last Temptation" contains nothing to rival "Tempted". [30 July 2008] 
Love: False Start / Out HereTwo new reissues portray Arthur Lee's complicated life after "Forever". [18 July 2008] 
Katy Perry: One of the BoysKaty Perry overstates her own rebellion, undermines her strongest selling points. [1 July 2008] 
Various Artists: Music from Rudy Maxa’s WorldAccording to this soundtrack, it's a small world, after all [27 June 2008] 
Martha Wainwright: I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings TooMartha Wainwright lives up to her DNA on an intensely moving sophomore album. [11 June 2008] 
The Boxmasters: The BoxmastersBilly Bob Thornton’s latest nostalgia trip inspires nostalgia for his previous albums. [10 June 2008] 
Jimmy Eat World: Bleed AmericanJimmy Eat World's historic album gets a Deluxe reissue that is mostly footnotes. [6 June 2008] 
Jesse Malin: Mercury RetrogradeJesse Malin's limited edition live album renders an impressive singer-songwriter an old fogey. [2 June 2008] 
Everclear: The Vegas YearsEverclear's consistently entertaining token of flagrant irrelevance. [19 May 2008] 
New York Dolls: Live at the Fillmore EastNew York Dolls seldom disappoint in concert, but an amazing live album continues to elude them. [28 April 2008] 
Ike Reilly: Poison the Hit ParadeIke Reilly’s hit parade is poisoned with a strong but inessential new compilation. [25 April 2008] 
Lady Antebellum: Lady AntebellumLady Antebellum pines for yesterday’s South and today’s success. [17 April 2008] 
Jordan Zevon: Insides OutWarren’s son finds virtue in pretty melodies, but has yet to find an identity. [16 April 2008] BlogsConsuming Consumables: Rock and Roll Cage Match [7 December 2008] |
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