Advertisements In which I do not exactly go off the deep end So I rewatched the latest iteration of A Star is Born, mostly because I had bought it on iTunes in order to watch it the first time and wanted to get my money’s worth. To my pleasant surprise, I took a greater likingContinue reading “6 Songs in A STAR IS BORN That Are Better Than “Shallow””
Category Archives: Music
Happy Birthday, Selena
Advertisements In which I reflect on a life I learned a lot about just in time CW: gun violence This is just to say that Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the intersectional voice of an underrepresented generation, would have turned fifty years old today. While, as the “Queen of Tejano Music,” she might not be thought of inContinue reading “Happy Birthday, Selena”
The Wilsonian Institute
Advertisements In which some old, old feelings meet new context Maybe it was the gummi bears. When I sat down with a bag of Haribo Goldbären to Love & Mercy, the biopic covering (in)famous periods in the life of Brian Wilson and the career of The Beach Boys, I thought about how this piece ofContinue reading “The Wilsonian Institute”
Lit Review: REMAIN IN LOVE
Advertisements In which I do just that *CW: addiction* This is a story of the tightest rhythm section ever. And possibly the most successful married pop act ever. One of them is French Catholic, which I get; the other is from Kentucky and spent his youth in the KY/OH/western-PA area, which I get. Their jointContinue reading “Lit Review: REMAIN IN LOVE”
Fine Arts Spotlight: Janelle Monáe
Advertisements In which I watch the finest tightrope act around We end the month on a high note (pun intended) with a artist with a finger in every pie, who is tirelessly bringing joy and empowerment to our very own time. I’ve been an acolyte of Janelle Monáe’s for over two years now. Her actingContinue reading “Fine Arts Spotlight: Janelle Monáe”
A Shot in the HEAD, A Tip of the (Green Wool) Hat
Advertisements In which the young generation is…still saying something I had reason to get the Monkees on the brain a couple months ago, so I wrote a post. I’ve had more reason since—reading Mike Nesmith’s autobiography Infinite Tuesday, catching references to them in The Queen’s Gambit—so here I am writing another post. Most of allContinue reading “A Shot in the HEAD, A Tip of the (Green Wool) Hat”
It’s getting to the point…
Advertisements In which it’s a matter of mind over music—or is it? Yesterday a favorite podcaster of mine who often engages in discussions of mental health issues—and who is herself studying to be a therapist—read out a message from a female listener who described her boyfriend’s unwillingness or inability to help her through an emotionallyContinue reading “It’s getting to the point…”
We’re in Urinetown
Advertisements In which I’m filled with symbolism and things like that It’s the oldest story: Masses are oppressed Faces, clothes, and bladders all distressed Rich folks get the good life Poor folks get the woe In the end it’s nothing you don’t know : “Too Much Exposition” For nearly a week now—beginning, with eerie prescience,Continue reading “We’re in Urinetown”
The Greatest Jazz Album…?
Advertisements Or, a Christmastime observation I’m relying on holiday tunes more heavily than usual this year to keep the spirit of the season alive in relative isolation. I can’t help listening a little more closely, perhaps only because I can. Among the records on regular rotation is, for self-evident reasons, the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s soundtrackContinue reading “The Greatest Jazz Album…?”
My Year in Song
Advertisements In which I compile an eclectic playlist for an eclectic year As we commence our closing tricks in the death-defying circus act of 2020, let me gift you with a soundtrack to help us carry them off. These picks more or less sum up each thirty-day cluster; some are snapshots of the state ofContinue reading “My Year in Song”