Lou Reed’s Politics Lou Reed’s Politics
Singing against apartheid and for Tibetan freedom, working with Amnesty International and standing with Occupy Wall Street, he was an artist who spoke up and showed up.
Oct 27, 2013 / Books & the Arts / John Nichols
What’s Going On What’s Going On
When it comes to protest, are pop songs smarter than us, knowing what they can and cannot do?
Oct 1, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Clover
An Argument With Instruments: On Charles Mingus An Argument With Instruments: On Charles Mingus
How a jazz artist’s relationship to black identity gave his music its stormy weather.
Sep 17, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Adam Shatz
Why Does the Press Still Take the Heritage Foundation Seriously? Why Does the Press Still Take the Heritage Foundation Seriously?
The think tank has long since compromised its intellectual integrity, yet the media continue to trumpet flawed reports like the latest one on immigration reform.
May 10, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman and Reed Richardson
Red Country: On Taylor Swift Red Country: On Taylor Swift
Profligate, prolific, towering over the landscape: Is Taylor Swift China?
May 7, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Clover
A Professional Victim: On Ira B. Arnstein A Professional Victim: On Ira B. Arnstein
How music plagiarism ruined a composer’s career and literally drove him mad.
Apr 30, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Caleb Crain
The Bush Presidency, Undead The Bush Presidency, Undead
With the opening of George W's presidential library, pundits are rushing to whitewash the memory of those years of folly.
Apr 26, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman and Reed Richardson
Chrissy Amphlett’s Pleasure Anthem Chrissy Amphlett’s Pleasure Anthem
In 2013, a song like “I Touch Myself” is less shocking than it once was. But it is still revolutionary.
Apr 22, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Chloe Angyal
Give Me the Bad News First Give Me the Bad News First
Press coverage is hasty, error-prone and frequently depressing—but it nonetheless plays a vital role in our society.
Apr 18, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman and Reed Richardson
Man in the Middle: On Philip Glass Man in the Middle: On Philip Glass
Philip Glass’s new opera, The Perfect American, is a mix of bluster and inspiration.
Mar 27, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Blitzer