Todd A

[This review originally appeared in All The Rage.]

Washington Social Club
Catching Looks
(Badman Recording Co.)

Immediate attempts to place Washington Social Club’s sound in any familiar company lead back to the late 70s and early 80s when art students started playing punk rock without the overdriven guitars. The frantically-strummed six-stringers on WSC’s debut album, Catching Looks, send you directly to the English Beat, Talking Heads, Blondie, and the Replacements. (continue reading…)

On Wednesday, 19 May 2004, the Tennessee state Senate passed a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Frighteningly, only one senator voted against the amendment: Steve Cohen (D, Memphis). I say “frighteningly,” because banning a contract between consenting adults is the first step down the road towards–oh I don’t know–having a representative from the Department of Marriage walk into your house to verify that you’re making love to your wife in the missionary position. Think that’s ridiculous? Then consider how ridiculous it would have sounded 40 years ago to claim that one day the police could pull you over just to see if your seat belt was fastened.
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[This interview appeared in Popshot.]

Andrew WK was gracious enough to talk to us on the opening night of his headlining tour. Contrary to a lot of the “he’s so crazy” press he gets, Andrew is a soft-spoken, generous guy and a pleasure to talk to. He seemed happy to talk about anything. And, as you’ll find out, he is so focused on giving a good interview that his answers are detailed and elaborate.

He’s on tour now, so go see him.
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[This piece originally appeared in All The Rage.]

Andrew WK isn’t crazy. He just wants to communicate as clearly as possible. He establishes this early when pressed about seeming intimidating or just plain nuts in interviews. “I’m trying to make [the interview] good and I’m focused on that. So don’t mistake focus for kind of weird, intimidating vibe,‿ he tells the Rage.

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[This review originally appeared in All The Rage.]

Morrissey
You Are The Quarry
(Attack)

You Are The Quarry, Morrissey’s first new album since 1997 opens with two vitriolic salvos – the first addressed to his current country of residence; the second to his country of birth. America is Not The World, is a letter to the fattest country in the world sung as a slow love song. His theme – that Americans are fat and tend to think too much of themselves – is not his most insightful and eloquent, but his style and tone reassure us that in mid-life, Moz hasn’t lost his bile. (continue reading…)