Michael I’m a child of the 80s and back then you couldn’t help but be exposed to (and in my case, be in awe of) Michael Jackson. The man was a global superstar. To put that into context, I grew up on a rock in the middle of the ocean and even without American...

The Odysseyby HomerTranslated by Emily Wilson Everyone’s got Odyssey FEVER! Say what you will about Christopher Nolan, but he has a way of peaking an audience’s interest in any random historical topic: Dunkirk, Oppenheimer, and now the Odyssey. We’re all a bunch...

WHO: Poison Ruin WHAT: Hymn from the Hills WHY: Can sludgy metal be this catchy? Is it allowed to? Their previous EP Confrere was fine. It was pleasant but forgettable. Not forgettable enough to not give Poison Ruin another chance. I’m glad I did. Hymn from the Hills...

Speed Racer The Wachowskis aren’t one-hit wonders, but they do have a questionable success-rate. I think their movies don’t always pass the test of time. Speed Racer is an odd one, at that. It was a bomb and probably made Hollywood happy to have revoked their blank...

1984by George Orwell 1984 is an important book. Not just because it’s a great story, brilliantly constructed, incredibly revealing of its time, and a cautionary tale (much of it became true, sadly), but also because it’s the book that taught me to read books....

WHO: Mariachi El Bronx WHAT: Mariachi El Bronx IV WHY: Before anyone starts crying foul, let me just remind you that the Bronx are true Angelinos who grew up with, and always appreciated, mariachi music. Even this band is made up of tried-and-true mariachi musicians....

Jon SpencerSongs of Personal Loss and Protest I’ve been so excited about Jon Spencer’s music ever since he formed this new backing band. They’re youthful and bring a skill and energy to his songs I haven’t heard since the early Blues Explosion days. Add to that...

Photos by Zack Bates (@anondeplonomous) • Instagram photos and...

WHO: Toys That Kill WHAT: Triple Sabotage WHY: Pedro’s pride and joy are back! Toys That Kill albums don’t come around very often and they seem to be getting shorter. It’s still reason to celebrate! Triple Sabotage stays true to the TTK formula, but this is...

Photos, as always, by the unmatchable Zach...

I don’t go to a lot of comedy shows anymore, and it’s a bit surprising to realize that because I used to really be in it. Not performing it myself (I’m not crazy), but watching comedy specials, listening to comedy albums, going to open mic nights, going to improv...

The Condition of the Working Class in Englandby Friedrich Engels Sure, you can call yourself a leftie, but have you actually read the literature? More than just the Communist Manifesto. Have you read Das Kapital? Marx is low hanging fruit. Who’s actually read ENGELS?...