Beltmann

I pre-ordered through Amazon and chose the free shipping option (other stuff bumped it over $25). It arrived Tuesday. Based on the stories in this thread, I'd be reluctant to use Musictoday when my usual methods are cheaper and faster.

Welcome!

Speaking of Olivia Hussey, I watched the original Black Christmas last week. She was the best thing about it.

I could be wrong, but Johnston's entire celebrity seems predicated upon a lot of people convincing themselves that he's a brilliant artist because wouldn't it be cool if this dysfunctional guy were a genius? And we were cool enough to recognize it? I have a sneaking suspicion that the idea of Daniel Johnston is far more compelling than the reality of Daniel Johnston. (That seemed to be the real theme of that documentary about him, even if the filmmakers, too, were completely sucked into the myth.) There's something oddly patronizing about the whole thing. That said, I'd probably go see h

I agree... if the reason Falwell was a bad guy was his lack of human decency, then it's hypocritical to respond to his death with a lack of human decency.

I understand your logic, St. G, and my only defense is that I do care about growers, if only because nearly every single album that means the most to me started as one. My life as a music fan is immeasurably richer because I bothered. That said, it's impossible to give every album the listening it deserves. I'm sure I own plenty of albums that would mean more to me if I had given them more of a chance. I put them aside to keep working on other records, so I don't see why you shouldn't make the same choice regarding SBS. There's no formula for choosing which albums to invest in and which

Linkin Park hasn't changed; you've changed.

As much as I disagreed with Falwell, I still believe in public decorum... Rest In Peace, Jerry. Isn't this the left's chance to show the difference between ourselves and his brand of hateful rhetoric?

I would love that. Seriously. I would love that. Best guess: "What Light" Best hope: "Hate It Here"

Blue Sky Blue.

Of Montreal - Icons, Abstract Thee Addendum to Hissing Fauna. I like it.

Yeah, I guess I phrased that poorly! I didn't cite Lee and Scorsese to suggest a spectrum; I merely wanted to offer two examples of filmmakers known for mature content.

Knowledge, background, and taste are all key to worthwhile criticism, of course, but objectivity in criticism of the arts is, in my view, neither possible nor desirable. If the arts are a record of the human condition -- and I think they are -- then critics, when they deny their personality, experiences, and biases, are denying the very things that qualify them to discuss the arts. I'm reminded of Pauline Kael, who regularly chastised her colleagues for their "saphead objectivity." For me, all of the most interesting critics have a POV, an agenda, a philosophy--it's that personal, subjectiv

I think Brokeback is a fine movie, but for what possible purpose would it be shown to a class of 12-year-olds? As a parent, I'd be ticked if my 12-year-old kid came home with this story. I teach film and have often shown R-rated clips (from Spike Lee to Martin Scorsese) and occasionally even entire movies (such as Rushmore and Run Lola Run). But the class is reserved for high school upperclassmen; each piece gets prior administrative approval based on educational justification; parent permisson slips are obtained; and kids are told in advance that they can opt out no questions asked. I h

It totally sucks when an album I love, like YHF, instantly morphs into bad music the second other people start enjoying it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Graham!

But he would be right.

I noticed that, too. That mistake keeps cropping up in various reviews, along with "Impossibly Germany."

Not all of them, just Adam Schlesinger. If I remember correctly, the studio accepted submissions and Schlesinger's tune won the contest. Schlesinger also contributed some songs to the recent Music and Lyrics (the one with Hugh Grant as a has-been pop star). That Thing You Do! is a terrific movie. I still think the scene where the band first hears their record on the radio is the best of its kind--it really captures their sense of exhilaration. My pre-order, from Deep Discount, actually arrived a few days early... it came last Friday, I think.

I'm not even a casual fan of Metallica, but I still found this documentary about a band on the verge of collapse to be extraordinary. There's something surreal about seeing these metal icons entering group therapy and embracing the methodology of their mild-mannered Dr. Phil, but, perhaps because all three members are thoughtful, reflective, and articulate, the movie never becomes a cartoonish, real-life version of Spinal Tap. Instead, it's about the difficulty of sustaining relationships after 20 years, making art and maintaining integrity, trying to stay enthusiastic and relevant at the ag

When that lyric arrives, does anybody else instead hear, "When I'm whacking off, I'm gonna shake it off"?

The defense of calculus--and all maths--is abstract: It forces your brain to think in new ways, and those brain muscles are useful in daily life. For example, you might never again do a geometric proof, but you will be forced to think logically. Math class is one of the places where those transferable skills are developed.