unsolicited criticism
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XX
Remember the first half of 2021? Yeah me neither. But I did keep track of all the TV shows I checked out, and herewith will share my thoughts on them with you. LOVED Pretend It’s a City (Netflix) This felt like a real pandemic gift, a cranky oasis. Fran Lebowitz became a huge fave of […]
Album Review: ‘Home’ by Terry McCarthy
4 stars out of 5Listen on Spotify hereListen/purchase on Apple Music hereIf there’s anything we anticipate from a Terry McCarthy album, it’s his warm strumming guitar, sharply observed lyrical details, and mildly groan-worthy titles indicating which number record this is for him: Wait, a Second!; The Charm; Go Fourth. But with his latest release, the […]
EP Review: ‘Relish on the Good Times’ by John Cozz
4 stars out of 5 Sample or purchase on Bandcamp hereBuy the 7″ + Cozz Coffee package here Spotify folks, click hereOn the surface, it looks like beloved young scuzz-rocker John Cozz has it all: He runs his own boutique Cozz Coffee roasting company; he co-runs the upstart Pizza Bagel Records label; he’s in a […]
EP Review: ‘Songs for Rivers’ by Rikki Will
4 stars out of 5 Click here to sample or purchase on Bandcamp Or here for Spotify/AppleMusic/iTunes/Amazon The story of Rikki Will: About 15 years ago, she hung up her guitar and solo act, for there was life to attend to. Raising two darling daughters, working, creating whimsical visual art, loving, losing, loving again. But […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2020
A couple of introductory comments this year:• Obviously 2020 was seriously messed up in many, many regards, just one of which was closed movie theaters and rescheduled/re-planned releases. As a result, I only saw 16 new releases either in a theater or via streaming/TV, and did not officially review many of them. Also, I have […]
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XIX
So, I normally do two of these stuff-I’ve-recently-watched-on-TV recaps each year. But you know how 2020 was all higgledy-piggledy in terms of the passage of time and… anyway, here’s 366 days’ worth of shows I checked out. LOVED Country Music (PBS) I’m no expert about country music, but I do know a fair amount about […]
Album Review: ‘World’s Strongest Dog’ by Long Neck
Long Neck isn’t just one of the most exciting young bands in the area — they’re one of the top young bands anywhere. The second full-band full-length from Lily Mastrodimos and company is quite an achievement and I was delighted to review World’s Strongest Dog for hMAG.
What I’ve Been Watching: Edition XVIII
I began this draft five weeks ago, which was already three weeks later than I normally post it. But at long last, here is my recap of the new stuff I was checking out in the summer and fall. It was a span of time where I attempted to take back the night, watching only […]
My Highly Subjective List of the Best Movies of 2019
10) Midsommar A really f’ed-up, somewhat artsy horror flick that really stuck in my mind, thanks to its gorgeous Swedish setting, the unique “creepy traditional festival” conceit, and an excellent lead performance by Florence Pugh. 9) Blinded by the Light It’s corny, it’s cheesily made — and I loved it. Yes, I’m an admitted Springsteenophile, […]
Album Review: ‘You’re So Jaded’ by Joy Cleaner
4.5 stars out of 5 Click to sample or purchase Yes, I’ve seen Bloomfield, New Jersey’s own Joy Cleaner 18 times, not yet counting December 10 at the Pet Shop in downtown Jersey City. And yes, I am thanked in the liner notes of their new album. Oh, so I’m not objective enough to review […]
Jack Silbert, curator