unsolicited criticism
Book Review: ‘The Day the Cow Sneezed’ by James Flora
Originally published on the Media Darlings blog, October 2011 For a long stretch of time there, it seemed like every album I bought — and I buy a lot of albums — had some connection to Irwin Chusid. His name appeared in reissue liner notes for Esquivel (whose 50s/60s “space-age bachelor pad music” helped spawn […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2018
We can perhaps track my physical recovery by my attendance at entertainment events: In 2017, I saw 172 musical performances, while in 2018 that total jumped to 444. And while I only saw 22 new-release films in the theater in 2017, in 2018 I was back in the high life again with 39. It was […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XVI
OK, maybe I’m starting to get that “holy crap, there are just too many TV shows” feeling just a little bit. Must focus and catch up over the holidays! There are entire second seasons I’ve allowed to languish while indulging in new shows. And note to self: Cancel that Hulu membership before the free trial […]
Album Review: ‘Accidental Achievement’ by the Royal Arctic Institute
I started writing this review just for Salt in Wound, but began to realize, “Huh, there is a lot of Hoboken in it, maybe I should pitch this to hMAG.” And that is in fact what I did.
These Eyes Spy Cheese Fries: The Return
I was talking with Kelli from the band Resounding No, and she mentioned a beloved childhood fast-food joint, Burger Express in Carteret. In researching it, she had stumbled upon a review I wrote which appeared in the New Jersey section of the New York Times way back on October 1, 2000. I asked if the […]
Meatball Sandwich Review: Frank & Joe’s
It was thrilling to learn how to drive again at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey, this past June. But almost equally exciting was finding out that my instructor Maria’s father ran a pizza place in Paterson. I promised myself that when I was finally an approved driver, with hand controls […]
Jack’s 2018 Fall TV Preview
It’s mid-September and I really should be back at school. But before I matriculate (hey now!), my beloved Fall TV Preview returns after a four-year hiatus. The rules, for those who are new or need a refresher: 1) I have not seen any of these programs, and for the great majority never will. 2) I […]
Album Review: ‘333’ by Sputnik
Earlier this month, I did an extremely rare reading of my poetry at a words-and-music event at Hoboken’s Issyra Gallery. Also on the bill was the band Sputnik. Years ago, I used to see their debut CD at my local record store, Tunes. But I’d never seen them live! I was really impressed, and thrilled […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XV
So sometimes your personal life changes and you fall behind on your shows but then maybe your personal life changes again so you catch up on your shows. Anyhoo, this is what I’ve been watching recently. LOVED The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHale (Netflix) Back in the day, Talk Soup was my jam. Kinnear, […]
EP Review: ‘Gross Dominance’ by Resounding No
4.5 stars out of 5 Click to sample or purchase I never got the chance to see Sarah C.’s previous group, the Soft Maybes. But it gave me a big smile when I learned that the bassist’s new band was called Resounding No. And now I’m smiling even more widely, because the trio has delivered […]
Jack Silbert, curator