All posts by Pete Chianca »
CD Review: Arcade Fire, “The Suburbs”
When Arcade Fire turned up in 2004, it was with nothing less than the most uplifting reflection on mortality ever put to record, the elegiac yet hopeful Funeral. Their 2007 follow-up Neon Bible was
Read More »CD Review: Gaslight Anthem, “American Slang”
If there’s one thing American Slang isn’t, it’s a Bruce Springsteen tribute album. Gone are the direct references to Springsteen lyrics and mentions of Mary and Janey that dotted the Gaslight Anthem’s breakout sophomore
Read More »CD Review: The Henry Clay People, “Somewhere on the Golden Coast”
The L.A.-based rock combo The Henry Clay People were the darlings of the blogosphere for a time in the wake of their 2008 album For Cheap or for Free. With their punkish sensibilities and
Read More »CD Review: The Contrast, “God of Malfunction”
Where does Stevie Van Zandt find these bands? It’s easy to imagine the Wicked Cool Records founder prowling around with his ear pressed up against strange garages, listening for the vague strains of Hammond
Read More »Farkakte Film Flashback: A Fool Such as I Edition
It's that time of year again -- and this April 1, Pete Chianca looks back at some of the finest fools in film
Read More »CD Review: Butch Walker & The Black Widows, “I Liked it Better When You Had No Heart”
I don’t know about everybody else, but I for one couldn’t be happier about the return of the ’70s flourish. You know, the urgent strings, the unnecessary but wholly welcome background harmonies, the non-sequiturs
Read More »Farkakte Film Flashback: Hazy Shade of Winter Edition
Deep in the scrotum-shriveling dead of winter, Pete Chianca resurfaces with a list of some chilly cinematic suggestions
Read More »Five Albums You Should Have Bought in 2009
Now, don’t get the wrong idea: This is not a “best of” list — that would indicate that I listened to every album released and compared them, which sounds like it would be exhausting;
Read More »Farkakte Film Flashback: “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” Edition
Thanksgiving is upon us once again, and you know what that means: Dinner, and awkward interaction with little-seen family members. And then dessert. Because let’s face it — without food we might as well
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