- Issue Archive for
- Dec 24-30, 2008
- Vol. 21, No. 41
News & Views
A Half-Dozen Overhyped Stories from 2008
We say enough already on these "stories" that dominated media headlines.
The Top 10 Tampa Bay news stories of 2008
A year of big wins and bigger losses.
Music
Leilani's top 10 albums of 2008
1. of Montreal: Skeletal Lamping (Polyvinyl) I've lauded this album to the moon and back, and I love it for the very reason it turns other people off -- the quick and abrupt rhythm changes within the songs, the clever and suggestive lyrics, and the layers upon layers of rainbow-hued sonics. Kevin Barnes' refusal to dumb down his music for mainstream audiences is commendable and refreshing, especially since the result is a virtual masterpiece. I've listened to it at least 100 times over the past three months, and I'm still not sick of it, which, in my book, makes it the best album of '08.
Eric's top 10 CDs of 2008
I've written different variations of the following caveat for years, but I think it establishes an important distinction: The following is a list of my favorite albums of 2008. This is not to be confused with what's important or hip or widely acclaimed by the critical community. If some of the titles below happen to be important or hip or widely acclaimed by the critical community, it is purely by chance.
Wade's top 10 CDs of 2008
1. Lucinda Williams: Little Honey (Lost Highway). On Little Honey, alt-country queen Lucinda Williams returns to the more focused, rock-oriented sonics of her breakthrough 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road. In doing so, she reveals a newfound sexual confidence (the title track) and celebrates domestic bliss ("Tears of Joy"). The singer/songwriter also manages to mine pathos for humor on the superb Elvis Costello duet "Jailhouse Tears." Williams can still break your heart, though. "Little Rock Star" plays like a much-needed note to Amy Winehouse, penned by a sympathetic female singer who has already survived the perilous, "whatever it'll take to get them to listen" phase. Williams closes Little Honey with a fun treat: A surprisingly awesome swamp-rock cover of the AC/DC road warrior anthem "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna to Rock 'n' Roll)."
A&E
The top 10 plays of 2008
Whether it's a Wild Party or an acting feast, Bay area theater just gets better and better.
The year's top 10 visual art exhibits
USFSCAM and Polk Museum of Art top the list.
Food & Drink
Taste the passion: The 10 best wines of 2008
Best of lists never grow old, as long as they are filled with passion. Here are the wines my mouth fell in love with in 2008, and why.
The top 10 ways Tampa Bay can catch up with culinary trends
More pig, better cheese — and how about something offal?
Movies & TV
The Reader and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Two odd romances in which the caregiver becomes the caregivee.
Blogs
The Christians and the Pagans
"So the Christians and the Pagans sat together at the table / finding faith and common ground the best that they were able / Lighting trees in darkness, learning new ways from the old / making sense of history and drawing warmth out of the cold"
Reel Projections, Wednesday December 24
Anthony Salveggi lists the top 8 films of 2008 he wanted to see and is glad he didn't.
The 12 Days of New Years: A Plan-Ahead Party Guide, Days 7 and 8
The next events in our planner series are brought to you by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and WMNF.
The Short List: Bucs eliminated from the playoffs
Plaxico Buress on gun safety, the violence intensifies in Gaza, Obama plans his stimulus, the bucs get eliminated from the playoffs and more on today's Short List.
Heard of Jamaican stout? Let this otter introduce you.
Otter Creek brings you Jamiacan stout via Vermont.
Bay area concert announcements
Bonnie Raitt, Roy Bookbinder, and others announce upcoming shows in the Bay area.
The New York Times food section roundup
This week's New York Times food section, all wrapped up.
See who won $1000 (and hear them squeal)
Listen to our winners receive $1000 in local gift certificates just in time for the holidays!
The 12 Days of New Years: Plan-Ahead Party Guide, Days 10-11
Dazzling fireworks and belly laughs at Channelside and Side Splitters Comedy Club.
CIA newest weapon in the War on Terror lifts, uh, spirits
What's the newest tactic the U.S. is using to gain converts in the War on Terror?
The 12 Days of New Years: Plan-Ahead Party Guide, Day 12
The final featured event is the biggest NYE bash in the Bay.
WMNF celebrates 1968 in New Year's Eve concert
Ten Bay area bands perform in a tribute show at Skipper's Smokehouse.
Pension freezes, newspaper buildings with no buyers
The Seattle Times freezes pensions, while other newspapers are finding it difficult to sell off their buildings.
Sundance, Slamdance and... Lapdance?
Eckerd's Nate Anderson continues his Sundance reporting with this preview of Slamdance, the adjunct fest that just might be more exciting than the main event.
Florida AG announces an animal fighting tip line
Think there's a Michael Vick living next door to you? Have you noticed roosters with spikes on their feet coming from your Ybor City neighbor's house? Well, the state of Florida now has an animal fighting tip line, and it could net you a handsome reward.
Newspapers adjust to economy by sharing content
In a tight economy, The Washington Post and Baltimore Sun combine their resources
Troubles at the zoo? No surprise.
Tampa officials just discovered Lex Salisbury’s mismanagement. But some zoo people have been crying alarms for years.
Chrismukkah: A Collaboration Celebration
It's Christmas, it's Hanukkah, it takes a lot of 'splainin' but it's the way my family celebrates.
The portable polygraph test
Have you ever wondered if your significant other was lying to you over the phone? Or if your parents really did send your Christmas gift in the mail over a month ago? How about figuring out whether that kid across the street really did egg your house on Halloween?
Reel Projections, Tuesday December 30
Fox wants to delay Watchmen; Patrick Swayze on Blu-ray (as God intended); Ben Lyons sucks big time; and the 19 Best Movies You Didn't See.
Merriweather Post Pavilion leaks, buzz continues in earnest.
The new Animal Collective studio effort has finally hit the underground airwaves.
GateHouse Media takes on the New York Times Company
Latest developments in GateHouse Media's lawsuit against the New York Times Company, what it means for free speech on the Web and competition in the online realm.
St. Pete homeless under attack
Hours after memorializing dead street people, a homeless man is viciously beaten.
The critic as playwright: Mark Leib on preparing for a reading
CL theater critic Mark E. Leib is also a playwright. This week in Backstage Tampa Bay he begins posting about the process of taking a play from page to stage.
The Obama diet and the meaning of Spam
Obama is raising the hopes of foodies, but the real news may be in his taste for mystery meat.
Musical gifts abound at the annual New Granada Xmas Show
The annual New Granada Christmas Show at New World Brewery featuring King of Spain, Davey von Bohlen, Hankshaw and Jarvik 7 was a splendid night of reunions with a grand soundtrack.
The Short List: Obama transition team clears itself
Robert Smigel's spirited take on a holiday classic, plus all the Obama, Toyota, Yankees, Economic Recovery Plan and Mike Connell news you can handle this Christmas Eve on today's Short List.
Reel Projections, Watchmen breaking news
Breaking news on Watchmen from The New York Tiimes
The Short List: Sarah Palin is one hot grandma
The top 10 George W. Bush moments, Sarah Palin's a grandma, GMAC gets a loan, Derrick Brooks is coming back in 2009, Fox plans to delay Watchmen and more on today's Short List.
Jobsite's Jenkins: Ten years and counting
New Daily Loaf blogger David Jenkins talks about what he's learned from 10 years with Jobsite Theater.
Reel Projections, Thursday December 25
Merry Christmas movie lovers,
Video: Tampa's J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
CNN's John Zarrella reports on Tampa's J.C. Newman Cigar Co.
Old people can't find jobs
Hey, if you think it's hard finding a job now, try being old.
Honorable Mentions, another End-of-the-Year list
More '08 albums worthy of mention.
No show but plenty of drama
The concert at the Hall with Obie Trice never happened. Mr. Trice canceled on the morning of the show because supposedly his house was raided by law enforcement and he was being detained for questioning. If that smells like Motown manure to you too then congratulations! You’re not gullible either.
Trucks and Tedeschi delight at Tampa Theatre
Husband-wife team dazzle with sweet, soul music.
Thank you law enforcement
Speed trap on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Drive safely, everyone.
Reel Projections, Friday December 26
A quest to see "Valkyrie" is thwarted, what the "Watchmen" lawsuit ruling means for moviegoers, and the Cranky Copy Editor reviews the trailer for "From Paris With Love."
Bucs bounce themselves out of the playoffs
They drop their final game to the Oakland Raiders, 31-24.
Continuing a 'green' Christmas with free tree removal
Even though the gift-giving has stopped, it doesn't mean you have to stop conserving.
Steely Dan + Shogun = Steely Shodan
Ever wonder what Steely Dan would have looked like if they had been Japanese dude? Yea.
