The Washington Post's crush on right-wing bloggers
by Eric Boehlert
Under normal circumstances, the recent lunch at at a Filipino cafe in Washington, D.C., between Washington Post media writer Howard Kurtz and right-wing blogger Michelle Malkin would have been an awkward affair. Kurtz was there to profile Malkin for the paper's Style section, yet Malkin in her writings had made it clear she despises the mainstream media and holds the Post in contempt. ("Washington Post Sinks To A New Low," read a Malkin blog entry on July 22, 2005.) She has written that the paper's managing editor displays an "anti-American mindset" and has specifically singled Kurtz out for being a dishonest and incompetent reporter.
Talk about tension. The lunch and the subsequent feature could have set off some real fireworks with Kurtz not only defending his work and the Post's reputation, but pressing Malkin hard to explain her wild and often fact-free allegations against journalists. Instead, the profile, which skated over Malkin's anti-media rants as well as her loathing of the Post, was published as a Valentine's Day week mash note, presenting Malkin as a pugnacious, on-the-rise pundit who has her liberal critics up in arms.
As Paul McLeary noted at CJR Daily: "It really takes a talented writer to paint conservative commentator Michelle Malkin as the voice of reason. ... But the Washington Post's Howie Kurtz ... manages to do just that."
Even Malkin's fellow GOP bloggers were cooing over the Post's treatment. The profile was "reasonably balanced and well worth reading," wrote Power Line. Trust me, that's an extraordinary compliment coming from bloggers whose hatred for journalists, and journalism, know no bounds.
The Post's soft spot for conservative media players is well-known. Last year the paper lovingly profiled Fox News' openly partisan anchor Brit Hume and announced, "He speaks deliberately, unhurriedly, making his points with logic rather than passion." And in 2005 the paper equated factually challenged talker Rush Limbaugh with award-winning late-night satirist Jon Stewart.
But I think it's time to acknowledge what has blossomed into one of the Beltway's most dysfunctional media liaisons: the love-hate relationship between The Washington Post and right-wing bloggers. The Post loves the bloggers, but the bloggers hate the Post. [READ FULL STORY]
Entertainment
Friend: Racy pix not `Idol' contestant
By WAYNE PARRY, Associated Press Writer
A close friend of "American Idol" semi-finalist Antonelle Barba says that the aspiring singer is not the subject of some graphically sexual pictures purported to be of her that were posted on the Internet last week.
The pictures include one of four women posing topless at the beach, their hands covering their breasts, and others of a woman engaged in a sexual act. The postings were anonymous.
Barba's best friend, Amanda Coluccio of Holmdel, with whom she auditioned and won a trip to Hollywood for the second round before being eliminated, told The Star-Ledger of Newark that the less graphic photos are of Barba, but denied she is pictured in the pornographic ones.
"The really bad ones aren't her. I've studied them," Coluccio told The Star-Ledger for Monday's newspapers. "It's not her nose. She's never had (acrylic nail) tips (like the woman in the photo) in her life. She's the least slutty person I know."
Uh huh. That sound legit. And who are you going to believe, the media or a friend of an American Idol contestant? Toss up. I won't be surprised when I see her on some VH1 reality series a year from now.
Music
AS IF the March 8th Cold War Kids/Tokyo Police Club show in Madison isn't enough, I just found out that Bishop Allen and Say Hi to Your Mom will be playing the next night at Club 770 in Madison as well. Hmmm...I guess that takes precedence over seeing 300 on the IMAX, right? Here's the press release:
BISHOP ALLEN Launches U.S. Tour
For the first time in nearly three years, Bishop Allen will be headlining an extensive U.S. tour, visiting cities all across the east coast and midwest, as well as a stop off in Austin, TX for SXSW.
In 2006, Bishop Allen supported We Are Scientists and Starlight Mints on tour, playing extensively in NYC and throughout the northeast. But, the band's greatest feat is a modern-day DIY story that recalls Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's successful self-released debut: Bishop Allen self-released an EP every month of the year.
Yes, Bishop Allen released 12 EPs in 2006, selling copies exclusively via their website and at shows. The series was an internet sensation, with influential blogs such as Music for Robots, Said The Gramophone and You Aint No Picasso praising the band's pop sensibility month
after month. Without the help of a label or a publicist, Bishop Allen vaulted to the top of the blogosphere.
2007 is shaping up to be another big year. Bishop Allen has joined forces with the newly minted Dead Oceans label, and this summer, they'll be releasing their sophomore album on it. In addition, the band will tour extensively, starting with the jaunt in March, featuring mainstays Justin Rice and Christian Rudder leading a robust six-piece incarnation of the band.
Bishop Allen Tour Dates:
03/01/07 Brunswick, ME - Jack McGee's Pub
03/02/07 Hanover, NH - Fuel Rocket Club
03/07/07 Lexington, KY - Mecca
03/08/07 Chicago, IL - Schuba's
03/09/07 Madison, WI - Club 770
03/10/07 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
03/11/07 Des Moines, IA - Vaundeville Mews
03/12/07 Columbia, MO - Mojo's
03/13/07 Dallas, TX - Ellum Onstage
03/14/07 Austin, TX - SXSW Day Stage (SXSW convention center) - 2:30PM
03/15/07 Austin, TX - Bird's Barber Shop SXSW Day Party 1PM w/ The
Rosebuds, David Vandervelde,
03/15/07 Austin, TX - Schuba's Party @ Yard Dog - 5PM w/ Midlake,
Elvis Perkins, etc.
03/15/07 Austin, TX - Dead Oceans/Jagjaguwar/Secretly Canadian
showcase @ Mohawk 10:30PM
03/16/07 Austin, TX - Hot Freaks Party @ Mohawk - w/ Shearwater,
Annuals, Imperial Teen, etc. 4:30PM
03/19/07 Norman, OK - Opolis
03/20/07 Houston, TX - Proletariat
03/21/07 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
03/22/07 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone
03/23/07 Gainsville, FL - Reitz Union Orange and Brew
03/24/07 Atlanta, GA - The Earl
03/25/07 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
03/26/07 Charlottesville, VA - Satellite Ballroom
03/27/07 Washington DC, - The Rock and Roll Hotel
03/28/07 Philadelphia, PA - North Star
03/29/07 Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall
03/30/07 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge
Featured Album: Albert Hammond Jr. Yours To Keep
My friend and coworker Brent asked me if I liked The Strokes the other day at the office. After responding with a fairly prepubescent high pitched "Hells yeah" I mentioned to him that if he liked the Strokes he should check out the solo album by Strokes member Albert Hammond Jr. which has received a lot of praise, including this review from Rolling Stone:The solo debut from the afro'd Strokes guitarist banks on a shaggy, freewheeling sound and a deadpan sexiness that sounds pretty, um, Strokesy. Hammond doesn't out-write his band -- several songs here get vague -- but Yours to Keep is more expansive than the Strokes, and sweeter: The opener, "Cartoon Music for Superheroes," is a seductive Beach Boys update complete with angelic harmonies; the slyly catchy "Bright Young Thing" sounds like a Seventies soft-rock hit sped up and fuzzed out; and "Holiday" is a jangly let's-run-away love song, with props to Jamaica. He gets vocal help from Sean Lennon, Ben Kweller and lead Stroke Julian Casablancas, but Hammond's ragged croon jumps between heartfelt and cool, and it carries most of these songs. Put it this way: If he stays solo, he'll have a better career than Graham Coxon.
Pitchfork throws in their two cents about the album here.
Albert Hammond Jr. - "Cartoon Music for Superheroes"
Albert Hammond Jr. - "In Transit"
Albert Hammond Jr. - "Everyone Gets a Star"
Featured Artist: Cocoon
Two sublime voices that seem made to blend together, an acoustic guitar bursting forth with powerful arpeggios, poignant keyboards and even a catchy ukulele from time to time… Almost nothing and yet it goes straight to the heart, everywhere that they play… Introducing Cocoon.
Unstoppable melodies, melancholic or airy texts and moving pieces that almost immediately enter the personal pantheon of all pop-folk fans… And Cocoon has only just begun its musical adventures!
Barely over a year after beginning to play, Mark Daumail (22-years-old, composition, acoustic guitar, ukelele, beatbox, etc.) and Morgane Imbeaud (19-years-old, vocal harmonies, keyboards, arrangements) are already reaching maturity in their writing, recording and on stage.
Amongst the numerous shows under the duo’s belt, the concerts with Jude, Emilie Simon, I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness and Echo and The Bunnymen have already caught the public’s attention and enthusiasm for a wonderful promotion of the group’s first 5-track, I hate birds E.P. The songwriting and vocals are perfectly enhanced by the simple and elegant production by Denis Clavaizolle.
With the support of this successful inaugural achievement, Cocoon is now in full swing on its first album.
Cocoon - "Tell Me"
Cocoon at Myspace
Featured Artist: Arwin
I received this little note from Team Arwin in my inbox that I wanted to pass along to ya'll:
Arwin is a relatively new Chicago-based indie-pop band that was nursed on the teat of The Beatles and Radiohead, and often gets compared to Rilo Kiley, Nada Surf, and The Flaming Lips. Judging from your taste, you'll probably find their sound sympathetic. The band is really proud to have just finished up their debut, self-released EP, lushly recorded at Soma Studios where Tortoise calls home and such notables as Wilco and Stereolab record. Entitled Bright Outside, the EP features 4 songs that really span their influences and abilities.
Stream Arwin at Myspace
You Ain't No Picasso has some videos from Arcade Fire's performance on SNL this past weekend (which I missed). Plus, don't miss Matt's link to Stereogum's clips from Dwight's monologue and Office parody.