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The Top 10 Pitchfork Fest Picks From the Bottom Half of the Bill

By Andy Phillips on

Presented by RayBan

While R. Kelly is sure to steam up any event, the Pitchfork Festival has always been about shining light on the underdogs. This year’s bill is as forward-thinking as ever, tapping a slew of fiery up-and-comers to fill out the bottom half of the bill. Whether you’re checking out these bands destined for greater things at the fest itself (lucky you!) or on your home turf, stay stylin’ in some RayBan Clubmaster shades. In fact, you can still WIN tix to the Pitchfork Festival thanks to RayBan and their all-new Aluminum Clubmaster sunglasses. And now, without further ado, these are the ten can’t-miss, absolute essentials from this year’s epic Pitchfork Festival. … Read More

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Television

Breaking News: Neil Patrick Harris May Lift the Emmys Out of the Abyss

By Andy Phillips on

According to an MSNBC report, How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris (aka the dude who will always be Doogie) is about to be confirmed as the host of this year’s Emmys. He’s successfully helmed the Tonys, but with the awards show under pressure to make up for last’s year’s abysmal ratings, will it be enough? After the jump, a reminder of what he brings to the table. … Read More

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Film

Video of the Day: The RTS Sticks it to Indie Cinema

By Andy Phillips on

Hey, we enjoyed Juno as much as anyone [ed note: that's the editorial we; I sort of agreed with bloggers who thought it sucked] but, like many of its indie compatriots, its conformity to indie stereotypes made it ripe for satire. In this ode to “every indie movie,” the Rotten Tomatoes Show hosts… Read More

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Music

First Listen: The Rural Alberta Advantage

By Andy Phillips on

Toronto-bred spazz-rockers the Rural Alberta Advantage mine the erratic tropes of skewed Canadian pop acts, while simultaneously mimicking the lo-fi buzz of American indie institution Neutral Milk Hotel.

The band’s self-released debut, Hometown, is already a subterranean success, but, with a Saddle Creek reissue out this week, this is the perfect time to call yourself a convert. Lucky for you, we’ve got a stream of the entire album.… Read More

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Politics

SRSLY?! California is Issuing IOUs?

By Andy Phillips on

The State announced this morning that it’s making a genuine, depression-style approach to paying back its debts. According to the LA Times:

With budget negotiators at a loggerheads and California government facing a cash crisis, the state controller’s office will start printing IOUs this afternoon for the first time in 17… Read More

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Web

The Morning’s Top 5 Cultural Stories

By Andy Phillips on

1. Tony-award winning Broadway mainstay Ragtime is set to return next November. [via Variety]
2. To the dismay of 15-year-old girls everywhere, Kevin Jonas is officially engaged.  [via MTV]
3. The former head of the Dutch the Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture, is being hunted by police after siphoning… Read More

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Politics

A 7 Point Field Test to See if You’re Too Gay for Gates

By Andy Phillips on

CNN reported today that, rather than repeal the woefully out-of-touch policy, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is considering the “selective” enforcement of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. We can’t really imagine how it’d be “more humane” to lead someone to believe their sexuality is OK only to single them out afterward, but sure, we’ll give it a go. After the jump, we help folks in the field apply this dubious idea with a Seven Point Field Test to See if You’re Too Gay for Gates. … Read More

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Politics

Oh Yeah, Iraq…

By Andy Phillips on

As much as I hate to distract everyone from their Michael Jackson autopsy updates (anyone else smell a backlash a’brewing?) another little piece of news is about to unfold: the end of that little war in Iraq. While we’ve still got a long haul ahead, today’s preliminary pull-out of American troops from Iraqi cities went surprisingly well. While some expected violence occurred, the all-out civil war many are betting on has NOT happened.

Which leads me to wonder… why aren’t Americans celebrating? I don’t expect anything on the scale of last week’s pride parade, but come on kids, shouldn’t we spend a little time singing in the streets? After the jump, a reminder of how we we felt about Iraq before the recession, when a withdraw was all we really wanted. … Read More

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Activism

Eight Non-Michael Jackson Obits That Deserve Their Due

By Andy Phillips on

Just as Princess Diana’s death eclipsed everything around it (including the tragic passing of Mother Teresa), Michael Jackson‘s untimely end has made it difficult for anyone else to gain attention. While the King of Pop should certainly be honored for his unquestionable achievements, it’s sad to see his mourning come at the expense of others that have died in the last seven days. After the jump, eight scientists, activists, and celebrities just as deserving of their due. … Read More

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Activism

Chinatown Travelers Should Quit Complaining: A Character Study

By Andy Phillips on

As Chinatown bus services find new ways to cut into Greyhound’s bottom line (and the travel war continues to rage), one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the discount service is being overrun by a less savvy and adventurous type of traveler. I know, because I’m in the middle of it.

I left work an hour ago and arrived 20 minutes early for a 2pm bus. I went to the location as instructed, asked if I was in the right spot, and listened carefully as the ticket agents issued instructions. Now, here I am: on as bus every bit as good as Greyhound wandering the internet on free wi-fi while I stretch my legs in an extended seat. And the walk-up price to DC was only 20 bones! So why have I heard nothing but complaints all afternoon? After the jump, a list of the culprits and what these noobs don’t seem to know. … Read More

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