Culture | Thursday, December 28,2006

Party time, excellent

Wake up to 2007 without a hangover - but wth many happy memories

Untitled Document Don’t get caught stuck to a barstool in lieu of ringing in the new year. The last day of 2006 is a time for changes. Make this year the year you actually remember singing

Music | Thursday, December 14,2006

Stories of sadness and strength

Joanna Newsom’s sophomore effort shows off her narrative powers

By Marissa Monson

The cover art for Joanna Newsom’s sophomore album, Ys (pronounced ees) depicts the folk chanteuse as a Renaissance peasant with a sickle in one hand and a portrait of a butterfly in the other. T

Music | Wednesday, November 29,2006

A less-than-spirited return for Jay-Z

Rapper’s new Kingdom Come doesn't feel like a comeback

By Marissa Monson

It’s difficult to muster up the nerve to throw stones at a guy like Jay-Z. Ever running the rap game, he released a chain of hits, rarely missing a link and never staying off the charts for long

Music | Wednesday, November 1,2006

Change of pace

John Legend impresses while Gwen Stefani yodels

By Marissa Monson

SINGLES ONLY We’ve stood at the edge of commercial crap with Gwen Stefani before, but with her new single, “Wind It Up,” we have fallen off the cliff. Not only does the Hollaback Gir

Books | Wednesday, October 18,2006

In defense of Mary

New novel tells the controversial First Lady’s story

By Marissa Monson

Mary, a new novel by Janis Cooke Newman, gives Mary Todd Lincoln the opportunity to tell her turbulent life story in a voice that rings true to her bold and unconventional persona. There’s no s

Feature | Wednesday, October 4,2006

Of mice and maestros

Springfield author's children's story makes its U.S. stage debut in Tennessee

By Marissa Monson

Originally published in 1970, the children’s book The Orchestra Mice had been out of print for decades when its author, Springfield resident Jacqueline Jackson, got an unexpected phone call. The

Music | Wednesday, October 4,2006

Cruisin’ instead of mixing it up

Sleepy Brown’s Mr. Brown, the Decemberists’ The Crane’s Wife, and J Dilla

By Marissa Monson

SINGLES ONLY Sleepy Brown has the 9-to-5 blues. (We’ll play along.) After a long day of the grind, Brown and Big Boi cut out at 4:59 pm — how scandalous! — and make their way over to

Music | Wednesday, September 20,2006

Vinyl Static

Scissor Sister’s Ta-Dah; Lupe’s Food & Liquor

By Marissa Monson

SINGLES ONLY The flashy Scissor Sisters released their debut in a blaze of glitter and poppy piano parts, but who knew the fabulously retro New York quintet could strike gold twice? The first single,

Music | Wednesday, September 13,2006

Vinyl Static

Shows-a-go-go and CD exchange

By Marissa Monson

SHOWS-A-GO-GO! There are rock shows aplenty this week, but fans will have to rack up some mileage to attend them all. Devotees of Built to Spill will undoubtedly release a huge sigh this weekend when

Visual Art | Wednesday, September 6,2006

Witness

Springfield celebrates artist Preston Jackson with a citywide exhibit

By Marissa Monson

His bronze sculptures, monuments, and paintings tell of deep sorrow: the scars of slavery, the sacrifice of immigration, the quiet suffering of women. His art also speaks of hope: the eloquent words o