The Innovators: A Review of...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead's So Divided
"...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead have always been refreshingly musical. They've remained loyally guitar-centered, artistic, and experimental, with the skill to craft long musical interludes that feed their songs rather than detract from them. Their albums have been epic, with grand sweeping melodies, a constant but quiet intensity, and visual, emotinally delivered lyrics."
Energy and Irony: A Review of the Scissor Sisters' Ta-Dah
"The Scissor Sisters recently released second album, Ta-Dah, starts off with the infectiously dancable "I Don't Feel Like Dancing," and the energy and irony don't quit."
Skip to the End? A Review of The Futureheads News and Tributes
"The Futureheads landed on the British and American musical maps with their 2004 self-titled debut. The Futureheads received mass critical praise and introduced the band's signature sound--a simple, energetic blend of punk, pop, and dance, with unique vocal harmonization, an almost a capella style, leading to comparisons to The Jam, Queen, and The Ramones."
Whatever It Takes, I Know I Can Make it Through: A Review of Degrassi: The Next Generation
"I'm 24, a working professional two years out of college, and I'm entirely obsessed with a Canadian high school drama. And I'm not the only one."
Weight: The Myth of Atlas and Heracles by Jeanette Winterson
"Jeanette Winterson's latest book, Weight: The Myth of Atlas and Heracles, is one of the first three books in the Myths series...featuring contemporary writers retelling myths in a new way... Weight examines boundaries, desire, the weight and burden of responsibility, and the importance of creation and storytelling. ...The book is as much about the story of Atlas as it is about the story's retelling itself."
The Overwhelming Victory of The Battle of Stalingrad
"The portrayal of violence and war in theater is always a difficult and complicated task... Rezo Gabriadze's Battle of Stalingrad takes on one of the bloodiest battles of the last hundred years and pulls it off in a wonderful and unexpected, though equally risky way. The Russian-language production focuses in on the lives of people, horses, and ants--all through puppets."
D.C. Area Natives Rejoice: Mary Prankster Comes Back for Seconds at the Grog Shop, April 11
"The D.C./Baltimore area's cow punk princess returned to Cleveland for a second time April 11th at the Grog Shop. Playing alongside NYC's The Churchills, and Cleveland's Zachary Walker Band, they delivered a great show under less than wonderful circumstances, and quickly proved that some are just born for rock stardom."
The Strokes Is This It
"The Strokes, the now incredibly hyped New York band has finally released Is This It, which had become their highly anticipated debut album. Their 3 song EP The Modern Age, released in January 2001, receiveda great reception, and led to their sold out UK tour opening for Guided by Voices and the Doves."
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch, written by, starring, and directed by John Cameron Mitchell with music by Stephen Trask, is a stunningly original musical, recently adapted from the Off-Bradway hit, in which the music is the story rather than a strange and frightening interruption."