Sophie Says Sooth (2002.09.02): "Avoid graduation at all possible costs. This may sound crazy now, but by the time you're out of school for a year you'll know exactly what I'm talking about and you'll really start to miss caring about back-to-school sales. Enjoy this time while you can."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.26): "When you call your children unexpectedly, do not express concern if they were out until 4, 5 or 6 AM. They are now the masters of their own bedtimes. If someone of the opposite sex answers the telephone at 7 AM on a Sunday, say nothing."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.19): "It was once required that ten witnesses be present at a marriage ceremony to outsmart jealous demons. (I don't know who really thought this would work but let's play along for the sake of the story.) Bridesmaids dressed similarly to the bride and groomsmen's attire resembled the groom's in an attempt to confuse the spirits who wanted to harm the couple."


Silverchair / Diorama: "Musically, it is one of the best of the year. Rich orchestrations sweep across beautifully arranged songs, a feat quite remarkable for a band unaccustomed to such complex string and horn work. This is due, in part, to help from the legendary Van Dyke Parks, whose resume boasts such names as U2 and the Beach Boys."

Miniviews 2002.08.02: "While reining his noodling tendencies way in for the two Guided By Voices records released by TVT, his side projects exploded. The Fading Captain series, home to numerous collaborations and throw-away 7" singles, has probably had a release or three just since you started reading this piece."

Miniviews 2002.07.28: "If John Lennon and Yoko Ono had been in little-known power pop bands, then decided to do a record together with John's brother and a pseudonymous drummer for a Spanish label you've never heard of, Double Fantasy would've sounded a lot like Sound It Out."


San Diego Comic-con 2002: Part 1: "A lot of it sounded like standard conspiracy theory bullshit; I would like to believe him about the income taxes, though. Apparently it has something to do with the improper ratification of the 16th Amendment and taxing our privilege of earning money."

"Glamour Hose": A 14-piece photographic series from Natalie Meyer


"Pixel Worship": A new short narrative work from Aaron Veenstra





2002/06/14

New Fast Lane today, in which I examine the GOP's starting line-up and find it wanting. Don't be scared, lefties; this one's winable.
posted at 12:09


2002/06/13

I've been listening to a lot of Carole King lately. It's the confluence of various thoughtstreams, I think. When I saw the Neil Diamond Behind the Music it got me thinking a lot about the evolution of corporate radio pop through the 60's and early 70's, then I started in on this Beach Boys/Smile remix thing and that redirected my thoughts a bit.

The germ of it was Gilmore Girls, however. The show uses King's "Where You Lead" (3.0MB) as its theme and it's stuck with me as a sort of nouveau nostalgia. King made a guest appearance on the show a few weeks back, as a music shop owner who didn't want anybody to touch any of the merchandise, and her style of adult piano pop can still be found all over movies and television, whether by her own hand or by the Vanessa Carltons who keep the line going today. Carole King's not gone but somehow her market is. She hasn't been allowed to stay relevant the way David Bowie or Elvis Costello have. And I have no idea why.
posted at 13:53



2002/06/12

The second of Jesse Baker's series Essential X-Men reviews is here -- go on, get Dark Phoenixed.
posted at 11:46


2002/06/10

Are you having trouble coming out of the closet as not gay? Sophie understands and she's here to help.
posted at 08:55


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