Paul Quincy

Leisure

Critical Voices: Imagine Dragons, Night Vision

Imagine Dragons is one of those bands that you find filling in the spaces on the radio, garnering DJs’ marginal interest but constantly outplayed by the Katy Perrys of the world. Obviously, airtime does not equate to musical quality, but Imagine Dragons deserves to get some commercial success.

By September 6, 2012

Leisure

Size doesn’t matter: Oscar shorts at E Street Cinema

The live-action shorts are one of the Oscars’ most alienating categories—no one promotes them, few even know anyone who has seen them, and even the actors are unrecognizable. But this week, E Street Cinema is making this obscure category a little more accessible to the masses, running them in succession and allowing the audience to decide which should get the award. If you can’t make it down there, here’s a quick guide to what you need to know about this year’s five live-action nominees.

By February 23, 2012

Leisure

Critical Voices: Thao and Mirah, Thao and Mirah

When two solo artists come together for an album, the result usually falls short of the lofty artistic goals they strive for, but Thao and Mirah, a joint effort from Thao Nguyen, founder of San Francisco alt-folk group Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, and singer-songwriter Mirah is the rare collaboration that truly impresses. The synthesis between the two women’s styles is remarkable, with each track exploring new layers of unity as the vocally-driven artists push each other to greater and greater heights.

By April 28, 2011

Leisure

Critical Voices: The Strokes, Angles

After five years of silence, solo projects, and anticipation, The Strokes have reunited and reemerged with Angles, their first release since 2006’s First Impressions of Earth. During the interim, the band had become characterized by tensions between frontman Julian Casablancas and his bandmates, who accused him of being a creative tyrant. Angles was a joint attempt to mollify these tensions. It was the first of The Strokes’ albums to be composed collectively. But if you’re a superfan, don’t get too excited—Angles will disappoint anyone looking for more of the Strokes’s trademark electronic dance vibes.

By March 17, 2011

Leisure

Critical Voices: Elvis Costello, National Ransom

Elvis Costello is a rock legend. He has continued to explore new genres since the late ‘70s, when he first grabbed America’s attention as a last-minute replacement for the Sex Pistols on Saturday Night Live. Starting as a leader in the New Wave movement, he explored soul, pop, and jazz, with varying degrees of success.

By November 4, 2010

Leisure

Critical Voices: Deerhunter, Halcyon Digest

I was a Deerhunter virgin before I had heard Halcyon Digest. There’s something exciting about diving into a new artist, and when the minimal, ambient sounds of Halcyon Digest first washed over me I was immediately intrigued.

By September 23, 2010