If we have learned one thing from the Senate hearings surrounding the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, it is that years of pandering to the worst instincts of its base have left the Republican congressional delegation with no guiding principles save for free-floating xenophobia and an aggrieved sense of entitlement. If we have learned two things from the Senate hearings surrounding the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court, the other one is that a compelling biography in itself is no substitute for excellence in one’s chosen field. It’s the latter point that I want to look at this week, particularly as it relates to Happy Returns, the upcoming album by London-based punk-popper Livan, which is — let’s get this out of the way right now — currently rockin’ my world down to a nub. (more…)