I recently received an e-mail from a nice person at Prospect (a British magazine). The email asked if I’d like to review their magazine. After being completely flattered, I said, “Of course!” And then I waited nervously hoping that the magazine was good and that I wouldn’t have to say anything mean about it, because I would. Oh yes, I would.
But I don’t have to. They grabbed me right off the bat because the c & the t in the title are connected by a little filigree doodad. I love typography, so that little flourish was a selling point (okay a superficial one, but I liked it immediately).
The “subtitle” of the magazine is “Good Writing About Things That Matter” and it is a totally apt description. Prospect is a monthly magazine that covers all aspects of society: British, European, American and the world. And, indeed, the writing is quite good.
In many ways it reminded me of The Walrus, a favorite magazine of mine. (It’s a weird comparison since The Walrus has only been around for a few years, while Prospect has been around for about 13 (the November issue is number 164, so I’m guessing here), but it’s an apt comparison for its coverage: politics, culture, arts and more.
Because this was a new (to me) magazine (and because I knew I’d be reviewing it), I decided to read every article. There were a few that I thought I wouldn’t care much about. But the writing totally grabbed me. For instance, the article about Princess Diana (about whom I am indifferent) was fantastic. It was cynical and funny and totally engaging. And the same was true for just about every article in the magazine.
Normally I like to have at least two issues to refer to when reviewing. So there may very well be things about this issue that are different from the others. So, forgive, please, if I generalize incorrectly. (more…)
SOUNDTRACK: FIONA APPLE-When the Pawn… (1999).
I learned about Fiona Apple from CMJ New Music Monthly before her debut came out. I was convinced she was just another pretty thing with little talent. But then I heard “Shadowboxer” and I was really impressed by the depth of her voice. When I got the album, I was pretty much blown away.
SOUNDTRACK: DANKO JONES-Never Too Loud (2008).
Danko Jones is a hard and fast rock band, with a one track mind and a straightforward sound. They deal in excessive cliches (album titles include: Sleep is the Enemy, We Sweat Blood, Never Too Loud, etc) and play mostly short songs. And despite all that apparent negativity, I enjoy them beyond reason.
You get 
And then there’s news about ALA, the organization (like their endorsement of the Public option in the Health Care debate). As the news items continue there’s a lot of items for librarians, but there’ also a lot of news about books and media in general. So, here we learn that J.D. Salinger won his lawsuit against Frederick Colting who wrote an unauthroized sequel to Catcher in the Rye. 
I found out about 
SOUNDTRACK: SCHOOLLY D-Smoke Some Kill (1988).
Since this disc is featured so prominently in Signifying Rappers (and the book is named after the best track on this disc) I thought I’d dust it off and listen to it again. I got this disc probably in 1989 at the suggestion of my friend Al. He recommended “No More Rock N’ Roll,” I think.
SOUNDTRACK: SONIC YOUTH-The Destroyed Room: B-Sides and Rarities (2006).
It’s hard to imagine what gets relegated to a Sonic Youth B-side. Not that they are indiscriminate in their selections, but unlike many bands, their discs (as of late) haven’t been all that long, so it’s not like they couldn’t squeeze the extra track on there). Of course, I rather prefer when they don’t force extra tracks onto a disc, and so, a collection like this is a good place for these songs.
This is another periodical that’s not really a “real” magazine. Sierra comes free when you join the 
I Just Read About That... 