You don't need a half-wit music critic to tell you it's been a remarkable year for America, one historians will be discussing and researching for centuries to come. War, financial collapse, politics, technology: All have been dinner-table topics for many Americans. Racial barriers in 2008 were demolished by a Midwestern black man, and gender barriers were hurdled by an Arkansan and an Alaskan.Democracy has a few awesome new dance moves rolling into the Obama presidency, and it'll be a feast for
It's good to know that before her short-lived* but severely disturbing foray into country music, Jessica Simpson could totally keep up with fellow Music City wannabe Jewel--at least as far as baby-doll whisper vox and terribly uncomfortable gestures are concerned. She's like the Joe Cocker of Awful!
* We say "short-lived" because she parted ways with her record label, but she has stated that her move to country is, in fact, permanent. Sorry, country music. (HT: CR)
"Who's got some hay for me to chew?"Couple items of local rock interest emanating from beyond the pond.
Part the First, in Which Hillbilly Authenticity Is Overplayed as a Trope: Looks like the Guardian has taken a gander at Nashville's own Caitlin Rose and concluded several things: one, that she is worthy of mention under the heading "new band of the day No. 693"; two, that she is more "4 real" than Susan Boyle; three, that this whole question of authenticity is real important:
As with
