COVERS WEEK! Day 6 The Jackson 5, “I Want You Back” Discovery, “I Want You Back” This is not (I repeat: not) an attempt to add to the effusive list of tributes to the late Michael Jackson. He was a weird guy at the end of his life, he died, we’ve moved on. However, the [...]

WEEK 5 — DIEGO’S It was back in Week 1 that the noble men of the MunchMobile went south of the border (or at least south of Center Street) to satisfy our Mexican food cravings. Once again our stomachs were primed for another round of spicy goodness, this time at Diego’s Taco Shop. Located on [...]

COVERS WEEK! Days 4 and 5 Radiohead, “High & Dry” Bilal, “High & Dry” (My apologies for yesterday’s absence. My mind and my pen were elsewhere. Anyone who’s ever written a 20-page paper on American regional free trade agreements will understand. I have included two covers today as an attempt at reconciliation.) Radiohead is one [...]

“Are you training for the circus?” the woman asks with a guffaw. Good one, lady. Like I haven’t heard that one a million times already. I continue staring at the tree in front of me, trying not to break my concentration. Despite my best efforts at being antisocial, the woman proceeds to tell me that [...]

COVER WEEK! Day 3 The Smiths, “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” She & Him, “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” The Smiths are enjoying a resurgence of sorts due to their prominent role in the excellent new film, (500) Days of Summer (Rhombus review forthcoming). In a nutshell, [...]

This week’s film fave is a more local name: Jared Hess (and his wife, Jerusha.) With only three major films on his resume, Jared Hess has already become a well-known writer/director, his wife faithfully at his side. His history is as brief as his resume, but what it lacks in quantity is surely compensated in [...]

COVERS WEEK! Day 2 Oasis, “Wonderwall” Ryan Adams, “Wonderwall” Now that we’re solidly into Covers Week here at Rhombus, it’s time to break out the heavy hitters. ’90s Britrock phenomenon Oasis charted high with “Wonderwall” off their excellent 1995 album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? The song became an international sensation that inspired singalongs the [...]

COVERS WEEK! Day 1 Modest Mouse, “Float On” Ben Lee, “Float On” Goldspot, “Float On” Modest Mouse‘s 2004 smash hit “Float On” kicks off Covers Week here at Rhombus: We’ll provide a great song as originally recorded and as interpreted by another of our favorite artists every single day through Saturday. In honor of the [...]

When I talk with people about foreign policy issues, some of their most common concerns deal with blood and treasure. After maintaining the conversation for awhile, I typically notice that what they are referring to are U.S. troop casualties (we just learned that July 2009 was the deadliest month for U.S. forces in Afghanistan since [...]

Every once in a while, I have this strange craving to be philosophical and talk about really complicated issues. So readers beware, this installment may not be to your liking (unless you get a thrill from discussing civil rights for detainees.) On July 6th, Justice Department lawyers told courts that detainee Richard Reid will be [...]