Features
Thursday, March 7 2013
There Is No Band: An Interview with R. Ring (Mike Montgomery and Kelley Deal)
While many bands claim to be charting new terrain, R. Ring (Mike Montgomery and Kelley Deal) is carving its niche through hand-crafted CD releases, instrumentation consisting entirely of two guitars and vocals, and resistance toward releasing a full-length record.
Tuesday, February 12 2013
"I’m just always trying to find balance": An Interview with Jason Lytle
Jason Lytle talks to PopMatters about his years with Grandaddy, the importance of being organized, and the inspirations for new album Dept. of Disappearance.
Wednesday, August 22 2012
To Be Himself Completely: A Conversation with Stevie Jackson
Belle & Sebastian’s Stevie Jackson has used his free time to write and record songs inspired by friends, filmmakers and art projects. The result is debut solo album (I Can’t Get No) Stevie Jackson. He tell us the stories behind the songs and discusses his perspective on a music industry that is ever changing.
Thursday, August 2 2012
Directing in the Round: Fernando Meirelles’ '360'
Upon the release of new film 360, the director of City of God talks with PopMatters about chance encounters, Freud’s concept of civilization, and how to survive the slings and arrows of producers and critics.
Friday, January 13 2012
"Copying People I Like": A Conversation with Eleanor Friedberger
The Fiery Furnaces' Eleanor Friedberger tells PopMatters all about her breezy, gorgeous new solo effort, and also tells us why she doesn't like giving interviews, which Fiery Furnaces album she least enjoys, and how performing solo was a revealing experience for her.
Columns
Friday, May 10 2013
'Spring Breakers', 'Pain & Gain' and Postmodern Folly at the Movies
Rather than exercise judgment or critical perspective on crime and punishment, Spring Breakers and Pain & Gain share their characters’ self-indulgence, making narcissism seem like a palatable or practical means to achieve goals.
Friday, February 15 2013
The Ethics of Control: 'Paul Williams Still Alive'
Having experienced decades in the spotlight, Paul Williams, a reluctant subject, is a more powerful opponent than his director suspects.
Wednesday, December 5 2012
A Show Divided: 'Entourage' as Satire and Misfire
Within Entourage's system of codependent relationships, individuals are treated as brands, women are treated as objects, committed relationships are discouraged, and one’s word means nothing unless a contract is signed and a check clears.
Friday, October 19 2012
Dignity and Physical Drama in the Films of John-Pierre and Luc Dardenne
La Promesse and Rosetta treat seriously the ambitions and spirits of society’s most overlooked individuals, lest they be left by the wayside.
Wednesday, June 6 2012
Media Effects: Trayvon Martin, George Zimmerman, and the Justice of Journalism
Justice, impartiality, and the editorial process have all practically become the headlines in recent months because of the George Zimmerman/Trayvon Martin story. Meanwhile, justice seems more elusive and harder to define with each passing report.
Reviews
Tuesday, February 26 2013
Atoms for Peace: Amok
Though the roster of Atoms for Peace suggests a perfect blend of talents, the resultant amok is too much, too rapid, and too overwrought to reach the group's full potential.
Wednesday, November 7 2012
Matthew Friedberger: Matricidal Sons of Bitches
What remains is a melodically pretty but unadventurous, all-instrumental slog I would hardly attribute to Friedberger, were his name not associated with it.
Thursday, May 17 2012
Tenacious D: Rize of the Fenix
Tenacious D’s album number three fails to capture the comic energy of the band’s prior musical output and pales in comparison to other, much funnier rock music moments by the band's contemporaries.
Friday, April 20 2012
Stratified Society Depicted Brilliantly 'Upstairs, Downstairs Complete Series: 40th Anniversary Ed.'
The 40th anniversary DVD presentation of this highly influential drama series is an outstanding package both for viewers new to the series and for established fans that don’t already own previous DVD releases.
Monday, April 16 2012
Spiritualized: Sweet Heart Sweet Light
The album’s search for deliverance is timeless and ultimately uplifting.
Blogs
Monday, May 20 2013
Nelsonville Music Festival - Updated Lineup and Day Schedule
More than 60 acts are now confirmed for the festival, which runs from May 30 through June 2 in Nelsonville, Ohio.
Wednesday, April 3 2013
9th Annual Nelsonville Music Festival (Preview)
Cat Power joins already impressive lineup of the 9th Annual Nelsonville Music Festival.
Thursday, December 13 2012
Bubbling Under the Top 75: Damien Jurado - 'Maraqopa'
PopMatters spotlights a few additional 2012 albums that didn't quite crack the Best 75 list.
