Playlists
Fingers, wings, and indie music
Stepping in to fill the void below Smoke's left by Fingers, Wings, and Things is Milan Marvelous: artist, musician, certified prosthesist, with his new store The Marvelous, selling all sorts of books, music and comic books.
Not for all the tea in Philly
"My husband and I are big tea drinkers," says Lynette Chen, proprietor of the Tea Leaf, a teashop in Reading Terminal Market, as she reaches to a hot water tap.
Guilty Pleasure
The first time I heard "Victory" from Puff Daddy's No Way Out I got so energized that I went to the gym.
Tune in
In 1988, a band called Avant Garde was trying to make waves in the metal scene, lead by singer Kevin Ridel and guitarist Rivers Cuomo.
Guides
Divine Union: The Transformation of Desire in Himalayan Art Philadelphia Museum of Art 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway Ongoing, $10, $7 for students 215-763-8100 I went to Amsterdam over spring break, and as part of the seediness in that generally beautiful city, there's an actual museum dedicated to just, well, SEX.
"This is what i understand"
Sami Dakko has been running Rami's, a Mediterranean food cart at 40th and Locust for 18 years now, since he came to the country from Lebanon, and his consistently good food has made him something of a celebrity on campus.
Spell me a river
In the age of spell check and Internet slang, it's shocking to find those remaining few who still avidly read, study, and worship that old friend, the dictionary.
Surprisingly angelic
I felt a bit defensive tonight. At some point in every conversation I've had, I had to throw up my arms in a mock defensive posture and say, "No, really, I'm not kidding.
Mile high clubmile high club
It seems the French have a little longing for America in them after all. It's true--we may have taken their fries, their toast, even their kisses, but after one viewing of Jet Lag, there's no denying that they want to steal something from us: a quality Hollywood-esque romantic comedy.
Luck o' the Irish
Some days it seems like there are more Irish pubs than there are Irish drunks in this city -- and on those days I wish more of the pubs were like Fado.
Guilty Pleasure
I used to write song lyrics in the love letters I would write to my girlfriend senior year of high school. The lyrics were never anything really important, they were from something like Blink 182's "Going Away To College," but I thought I was poet laureate of Northeast Philadelphia. I miss doing that.
Digging in the crates
Hip-Hop musicians have never felt a particular tie to the album format. Some purists might have a problem with that, but in some cases, it can work out quite well.
Alumni are, like, old. and stuff.
"You guys fucked up? I'm way ahead of you." Aaron Karo's words set the pace for an evening in which the bartenders served up the most interesting entertainment.
It ain't no dope show
If dropping out of the crosshairs of conservative America has disappointed Marilyn Manson, he's not showing it.
Dave Matthews Sucks
During a short hiatus from the Dave Matthews Band, famed violinist Boyd Tinsley has put together an evocative new solo album, True Reflections. Surprisingly, Tinsley's skills as a violinist take second place to his raw, emotive vocals, as he demonstrates a new side of his musicality to audiences.
The only sure cure
Some days I wake up so hung over that I can't decide whether to stumble to work still drunk and get fired or throw myself in front of a train.
Stenographers are romantic
Emma (Kate Hudson) is a chic twenty-something trying to make her way as a stenographer in Boston. Alex (Luke Wilson) is a brilliant author whose computer is destroyed by the pair of Cuban criminals coming to collect the $100,000 he owes them.
Slipper S.O.B.'S
Any mention of The Eels conjures up thoughts of quirky, playful, and oftentimes beautiful music. With songs appearing in the movies Shrek and Anniversary Party and their hit single "Novocaine for the Soul," The Eels show their pop influences but with a dark twist. Their latest release, Shootenanny!, is a venture into heavy blues territory, done according to the old Eels formula.
