Musea guarantees a review for all
artwork in any conceivable field IF you follow the rules posted
on alt.zines or see our website or e-mail me.
Tom Hendricks tomhendricks474@cs.com
Grading system: 9-10 Highest grade - Life's work of a master (ex. Collected plays of Shakespeare, collected symphonies of Beethoven) 8-9 Single best work of a celebrated master's career. 7-8. Best work of an era or genre or decade. 6-7 Best work of the year. 5-6 Very good. 4-5 More good than bad. 3-4 Average amount of good = amount of bad. 2-3 Mostly bad with some redeeming parts. 1-2 Nothing redeemable. 0-1 So bad it is offensively bad and outrages the reviewer for taking up that time in his life - just awful.
21. Chiron
Review #72
22. Art In America Jan.
'04
23. Graceland Album 1986
24. Media Coverage: Terrorism
25. Songwriters Notes
26. Xerography Debt #13
27. Triplets of Belleville
28. The Nation 4/12/04
29. Russ Martin Show
4/19/04
30. NBC Five, 6 PM Newscast
Review #21 3/04
Title: Chiron Review #72 (Autumn 2003)
What is it? Mostly Poetry lit zine on newsprint.
Technical Quality: Average to above with an easy to read
design
Innovative Quality: Average - not much new here.
Review: Long running, mostly poetry, lit zine is
disappointing to me. The poetry is almost all prose sliced up
into lines, or unfathomable, or both; and hardly any have
technical excellence - or even attempt technical excellence. It's
no wonder that readers hate modern poetry. The 5 editors have got
to search harder, and edit more to get better poems. Also they
may have to write some editorials on what they'll demand in
submissions such as: more clarity in the message, deeper themes,
more technical skill, and more variety in types of poems (example
how about some story poems with plots and characters; or a
children's poem page of nonsense verse). The short stories fare
better but they too seem unfulfilling. Most are not good lit, nor
are they good adventurous pulp fiction. They're a hybrid of both
but with neither of the best parts! There are 2 standouts that
are exceptions to all the above and deserve notice: A Wet Cold
Winter to Come the Paper Says, a poem by Lyn Lifshin, and So,
What is Persona: an essay by Todd Moore on poets and fame. Also
book reviews that are too soft, and an interview with poet Linda
Rocheleau. I end with 2 quotes from the Lifshin poem, "The
news on the phone, never easy, full of warning," and "I
think of the crows circling, the dark birds in films, a metaphor
for what no one wants to say."
Contact Info: editor Michael Hathaway, 702 N. Prairie, St.
John, KS 67576
Overall Grade:: 2.8 out of 10.0
Editor's Choice mini Reviews: Drug ads have no place on TV. The ones there, all have the same storyline . Just substitute the genetic term 'drug' for the brand name and this is how the commercial plays out: feel bad - take drugs - feel good. In the end what kind of message is that sending thousands of times a day? And that doesn't even begin to approach the negative idea of selling drugs as sizzle instead of steak! Overall grade for drug peddling on TV: 0.4 out of 10.0
Review #22 ¾
Title: Art in America, Jan. 2004 issue
What is it? Glossy monthly magazine covering new art
worldwide.
Technical Quality: High - excellent color reproductions
and above average magazine design.
Innovative Quality: Average
Review: Modern Art has no clothes and this, the major art
magazine for Modern Art in the U.S., can't see through it. Six
main features in this Issue: 1. Multi media artist, Robert
Whitman's work seems to be neither great theater nor great film
nor great art. Surreal and abstract elements don't seem to add up
to much. 2. Polly Apfelbaum's floor pieces are mostly abstract
cloth and sewing art with more misses than hits, though I did
like the decorative fabric design, Today I love Everybody. Note
that there is also an ad selling her work. Is there some
connection between buying an ad and getting a major review? The
magazine does not make it clear one way or another. 3. A look at
Dutch Master Hendrick Goltzius, substantial art from the past
that makes the newer works pale in comparison. 4. Films of
Finnish artist, Ilppo Pohjola that seem to be goofy visual dada.
5. Bland abstractions from Warren Rohrer. 6. Realistic paintings
from James Valerio that show great skill in mostly interior still
lifes, but overall are too cluttered to add up to much except
visual overload.
Plus art news with heavy emphasis on NYC art galleries, auction reports, book reviews ( Giacometti, and Gorky bios), obits, scene reports from Madrid (huge photo exhibit - sample photos seemed silly and dispensable) , England ( painter Graham Sutherland's work - mostly hits some misses), Montreal with a major retrospective of conceptual artist Francoise Sullivan (above average samples though somewhat bland). Plus a look at architecture work from two Chicago architects, Koolhaas and Jahn for the IIT campus. Both's work seems derivative and neither is very attractive. Plus a 17 page major section on reviews of exhibitions in the US and across the globe.
Overall the art (excluding the article on the Dutch Master Glotzius, and Sutherland) seems NYC heavy with an insolated and isolated insider feel, out of touch with reality, convoluted, little ability to communicate to the viewer, impersonal, inconsequential, cold, surreal or dada-istic without the innovation or charm or newness that came with the original dada or surrealism movements that occurred almost 100 years earlier; silly but lacking humor, depressing, weird, no warmth, no humanity, no bigger themes outside the artists, no civic connection, no historical connection, derivative, sterile, jejune; nothing fresh or new or innovative, no 'wow' factor, bland, and egotistical with most artists filling up large canvases or huge spaces with nothing but boastful air... Proof here that Modern art hasn't been modern in 50 years. It's played itself out , and this emperor has no clothes!
As to the reporting itself - the reviews,
and news articles - they varied in quality but had similar
problems throughout: wordy, too long, often talked more about
ideas than the work, seldom brought up issues of beauty or
relevance or problems of being endlessly derivative of better
work that have gone before; often depended on insider incestuous
references; reviews were consistently soft (which treats all art
the same) , with convoluted descriptions even when there were
visual examples to fall back on; celebration of the
inconsequential and the weird for weirdness' sake, with no
challenge to the excess frivolousness, the ugly, the egotistical,
little talk about technical skills or lack there of, no talk
about the cost or any aspect of the business of art, or
surprisingly - very little talk about any artist or the problems
that artists have, or the new ideas artists are bringing forward.
In the article on the photo-realist, the pompous reviewer says,
"Nevertheless the old-fashioned rendering of the external
world by brush or pencil still holds a certain fascination."
But that can now be turned around. I say, "Nevertheless the
old-fashioned rendering of the modern art world and magazines
like this, still holds a certain fascination - but not much
consequence!
Contact Info Brant Art Publications, Inc., 575 Broadway,
New York, N.Y. 10012.
Overall Grade: 2.5 out of 10.0
Review #23 03/04/04
Title: Graceland
What is it? Cassette of 11 songs by Paul Simon from 1986
Technical Quality: Cover art average. Recording quality is
very high.
Innovative Quality: Very high marks from not only its
arrangements - a mix of South African sounds and US rock, but its
innovative music and smart lyrics.
Review: This somewhat overlooked 1986 album broke real
creative ground and it deserves a 2nd look. Paul Simon is one of
rock and rolls best singer/songwriters and this is perhaps the
most musically innovative recording of his long career. Here's
some reasons why: A. This original album could be termed a
greatest hits album with every song worthy of single status. That
includes 1. The Boy in the Bubble with its surreal folk lyric
feel - These are the days of miracles and wonder. 2. Graceland,
pilgrimage to Elvis's home as metaphor for a bigger quest. 3. I
Know What I Know Each verse is a story with its chorus moral of
Who am I to blow against the wind. 4. Gumboots , love song for a
senorita You don't feel you could love me, but I feel you could.
5.Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes Love song of poor boy and
rich girl. 6. You Can Call Me Al. Middle aged angst. 7. Under
African Skies with the line, These are the roots of rhythm.' 8.
Homeless a choral chant or lament. 9. Crazy Love lilting
lost-love song. 10. That was your mother A zydeco party and dance
song. 11. All Around The World with the lyric line I've seen them
all and they're all the same'.
B. There is a hybrid of South African rhythms and musicians with Simon's pop song's skill. The African rhythms , singing, and more relaxed arrangements, bring a liveliness and freshness to Simon's work. The rhythms alone are spectacular in their variety and complexity - something seldom seen in rock. And Simon brings intellectual depth to the mix with his song writing skills and sophisticated lyrics. And speaking of lyrics , here's a sample of how Simon has taken lyrics from love songs to new heights of surprise and fun: "The Mississippi Delta was shining /Like a National guitar/ I am following the river/Down the highway/ Through the cradle of the civil war."
C. Great army of musicians featured, that include: Ladysmith Black Mambazo - lead and background vocals, Bathiti Khumalo - bass player , even the Everly Brothers!
D. Simon has introduced a mature songwriting style that breaks new ground. No longer is there a 3-minute song with a clear verse - chorus, verse - chorus, bridge then repeat. Instead Simon has a loose seemingly improvised melody line that is interrupted by a chorus now and then. It's unpredictable and sounds so fresh that you think he's making it up there and then. For example you can listen to Graceland 10 times and not capture and repeat the verse line. This new style of writing a 3 minute song allows for great artistic freedom, deepens feeling and intrigued me with its complexity.( And I'm a songwriter of over 40 years!). This may well be where songwriting will head in the future - though as of now - almost two decades later - few if any songwriters have acknowledged this new style, let alone copied it.
E. The album is not a collection of singles. It hangs together well as if it were a concept album and should be considered as one of the best of that genre.
As good as this album is, there are certain
problems that keep it short of perfect: Paul's voice though
soulful, is somewhat limited in its range and technical quality
and the lyrics are sometimes too surreal to be clearly
understood. Altogether a musically ground breaking album with all
notable songs, by a top rock composer, with a great cast behind
it
Contact Info: Paul Simon, Warner Brothers Records
Overall Grade: 8.5 out of 10.0
Editor's Choice mini Reviews: PBS
infomercials and excessive ads in between PBS shows, have gotten
out of hand. The excessive commercialism goes against the reasons
for having public broadcasting in the first place. Funding is
tough for sure, but infomercials and longer and longer ad blocks
are not the answer.
Overall Grade:2.0 out of 10.0
Review #24 03/04/04
Title: "Media Coverage: Terrorism"
What is it? Review of the mainstream media's coverage of
Terrorism and other key stories. Specifically that coverage by TV
News Networks, PBS and NPR news, and Cable News.
Technical Quality: The facts that are covered seem to be
accurate but the overall picture of the news story is not.
Innovative Quality: (doesn't apply)
Review: We've had thousands of hours of coverage of
terrorism since the horrible attack of 9/11. How good is it? Some
points to consider: 1. In all that coverage from all the
mainstream media, did any of those stories have clear, accurate,
and in-depth reasons of WHY the terrorists are attacking us? I
bet you don't know and neither do I. Though every battle and
battle death is covered, there is no background to the reporting
- the coverage is incomplete, vague, and without beginning or
perhaps even an end.
2. There is little perspective. The threat of a handful with box cutters seems to be on the same level of the Russian nuclear threat during the cold war, which was total annihilation of our entire nation hundreds of times over. They are not the same. And coverage should show perspective. Another way to look at it is this. Perhaps the most dangerous WMD (weapons of mass destruction) are hunger, poverty, the lack of clean water, AIDS and other diseases, etc.
3. Do we have to have a war all the time? The cold war just ended. Have we manufactured something to take its place? And how about alternatives now that the cold war is over. Instead of the US being the country that bombs, invades, or sells munitions; how about the US being the one to attack world poverty and end it once and for all? Isn't that a viable option for our foreign policy? If so isn't that worth considering, and the media reporting on it and ideas like it?
4. "If it bleeds it leads" seems to be true of much of the conflict news we have now. Do we have to have conflict before we have news? Is the media pumping up fear of terrorism , more than it should be? For example , when the nation is on alert, is it the same danger conditions for the rural towns of the western plains as it is for the country's capital? If not why is that distinction not made.
5. There is media coverage everywhere and more of it now from more outlets. Yet they all report the same stories on a daily basis, and there are far too few media giants at the bottom of most of the initial choices on what news is covered. 6. Finally the strongest concern of all is this. The media won't respond to concerns like these. They refuse to be questioned on what and how they report the news.
In 1948, George Orwell published the novel '1984'. Many of the main points of the novel - describing a harsh, freedomless future - have parallels in the 6 points above. Start with point one. In the novel there is a continuing war between 3 powers: Oceania, East Asia and Eurasia. The background or history for the conflict is continually in flux. Changing history is the job of the main character Winston Smith who works for the 'Ministry of Truth'. When current events change which of the other two countries is the enemy - his job is to rewrite earlier history. Point two - perspective. Newspeak is invented to limit the ability of anyone to question Big Brother. Point three - do we have to have a war? There is continual war between the 3 powers and alliances shift but the war never resolves itself.. Point 4 pumping up war hysteria. In the novel there are mandatory 2 minute, hate sessions against the enemy that all must attend. Point 5 the excessive media coverage everywhere, but with only a single viewpoint. In the case of the novel, everyone is monitored by "Big Brother' who watches you through the TV continually. And point 6 , won't respond to criticism. In the novel people who oppose any aspect of big brother are reprogrammed by the Thought Police.
The mainstream media's coverage of
Terrorism is poor, inadequate, and gives a slant that is
inaccurate. And they refuse to be questioned about any aspect of
this coverage.
Contact Info: Any of the media conglomerates involved.
Overall Grade: 0.5 out of 10.0
Review #25 03/04/04
Title: Songwriters Notes Vol. 14, #1
What is it? : "A quarterly newsletter which features
local, national, and international information valuable to
songwriters."
Technical Quality: Average
Innovative Quality: Average
Review: This Dallas songwriter's newsletter is a support
group for local songwriters. There's news on get togethers,
"2003 Song contest Winners Announced at Awards Lunch";
information, "Performer's Corner" with listings of area
open mics and club calendars; notes on group meetings, plus more
contests.
This issue spotlights the 2003 Song contest winners and live music at the awards ceremony on Nov. 15 '03 It also has some background on the winners and lyrics from their songs.
I didn't think the winning lyrics were that well done. I think lyrics, like poetry, must be judge by 3 criteria: Did they communicate what they were trying to say, Did they have a message worth saying Did they say it in a poetic and distinctive way. All these had heartfelt messages but there was nothing out of the ordinary in them. Great songs have lyrics that rival the best poetry of our greatest poets.
For the most part I support the Songwriters Notes staff for their down-to-earth approach to helping songwriters make and sell their songs; but, I also think the membership dues seem very high, and I worry that with all the good biz advice , no one is talking about the 5 company monopoly of the music business, the problem of radio consolidation (Clear Channel's phenomenal growth and influence) and the opposition to these consolidation problems by local and national advocacy groups. Ultimately these problems may well be the most significant in any songwriters career.
Though I disagree on certain points,
overall I only wish each art form in Dallas or any major town,
had a support group like this one for local songwriters.
Contact Info: www.dallassongwriters.org
info@dallassongwriters.org
Review #26 4/04
Title: Xerography Debt #13
What is it? A zine review zine "with perzine
tendencies" Technical Quality: Above average and high for
self published zines. Note the fine illustrations on books,
reading, and writing, throughout - they add a lot of fun.
Innovative Quality: Above average in the way XD reviews
zines. 16 reviewers report on their favorites - each in his/her
own way.
Review: XD is a zine review zine that is not as big as
Zine World or as inclusive as Zine Guide, but it excels in its
own niche of 'selective reviews' by numerous reviewers.
As it says in the intro, "Some reviewers choose to review zines they have bought or traded with, some review zines that are sent to XD for review, and some do both. Also, I buy zines at Atomic Books, my local zine store, and zine events, so if you see your zine reviewed and you didn't send it in, that might be where I found it. Generally the only reviews you will read in here are 'good reviews." Constructive criticism is given, but basically we don't have the time or money to print bad reviews."
Sixteen reviewers each do 5-10 assorted zine reviews. Editor Davida allows them to do them in any style they want. On the plus side the reader ends up with more personal reviews and longer reviews than most zine review zines. On the negative side the reviews often ramble off topic, or are more about the reviewer's world than the zine being reviewed.
Some zines are reviewed by multiple reviewers. On the plus side you get more than one person's opinion. On the negative, it seems like this is an insiders club where only a few zines are allowed in.
Also included in this issue were some excellent articles: "It Means It's Wank" by Jeff Somers - a look at the value of reviews. Plus a tribute to the late and talented zinester Jenny Makofsky , who with her sister Serena, wrote the zine Have You Seen the Dog Lately." Add to this 2 articles on a continuing vast history of zines and more.
A good reason for this zine's success is the work of its editor Davida Gypsy Breier who has distributed many of the zines, assembled all the reviews, and turned them into a first rate looking zine.
Overall a great way to learn about the
current favorite zines of these 16 zine aficionadas in a
well-designed zine format.
Contact Info: www.leekinginc.com
davida@leekinginc.com
Overall Grade: 5.0 out of 10.0
Editor's Choice mini Reviews: Hubble Telescope. The
one thing NASA does well, and they want to stop funding it! Boo.
From the photos-as-art angle alone, its worth its weight in gold.
Look at the photography - look at the beauty of worlds and
universes never seen by humans before - look at the endless
variety and spectacle of the skies all around us. We give the
Hubble-as-photographer a rating of 7.8 out of 10.0. And for NASA
a flunking F - stop!
Review #27 4/04
Title: Triplets of Belleville
What is it? Cartoon film
Technical Quality: Very high
Innovative Quality: Very high. We have a new type of
cartooning. Remarkable.
Review: The world is experiencing a plethora of high
animation.
The US has Pixar (though it's stories seem weak to me) and The
Simpsons on TV. Britain has Wallace and Gromit. The orient has
anime masterpieces galore such as the recent Millennium Actress
by Satoshi Kon.
Now add to that pantheon a 4th. This time from France with writer/director Sylvain Chomet who has a unique gem of a film in Triplets of Belleville.
Club footed Madame Souza is the guiding force behind grandson Champion's 'drive' to make something of himself. But complications ensue. And Souza with help from the Triplets of Music Hall fame, and the faithful fat family dog Bruno; must save the day. The story is marvelous (and I refuse to go further and spoil the plot like most reviewers); but the animation is spine-tingling in both the scope and detail. How does it do both at the same time? Watch for cityscapes and harbor scenes that are awe inspiring art in themselves.
And there are also characters - each with exaggerated features that draw the personality out of them.
If a reviewer could demand more of a movie
- I don't know what I'd ask for. Done perfectly.
Contact Info: Slyvain Chomet
Overall Grade:: 8.0 out of 10.0
Editor's Choice mini Reviews: On my screen I also saw the 5-minute movie Destino, a literal hybrid of Disney and Dali - yes Salvador Dali the art master. See all the images that Dali is known for, animated and soothed somewhat by the Disney team. This too is very fine. I feel greedy seeing two such works in one setting
Review #28 4/04
Title: The Nation 4/12/04
What is it? Weekly editorial and news magazine since 1865
Technical Quality: Average
Innovative Quality: Average with illustrations below
average and lackluster.
Review: This long running news weekly seems insular in
much of its comments, out of touch in its art reviews, and
occasionally brilliant in its articles and comments - all with a
leftist leaning.
This issue has a lot of political comment against Bush, his administration, and the right wing in such editorials as "Time for Truth" - war on Iraq; "More Blame for Bush" - Clarke testimony; "Subject to Debate" the NASCAR dad's voting bloc, etc. Plus comment on the ongoing Arab Israeli conflict.
There are also articles on Africa's misuse of its Oil monies (the best and by far the most personal story of the issue), regime change in Iran, murders in Algeria, etc.
Next comes reviews of books and the arts that seemed mostly out of touch views, on inconsequential works, with more personal comment than insight. "Waterfront", a book on Manhattan's shores, two first novels with excerpts that seem overwrought, over written, over padded, and ultimately boring and dull, Courtney Love's new CD with snide comment a plenty; and a look at Eternal Sunshine and two other films. The reviews seemed soft and lite throughout. I certainly was not influenced to read or listen or see any of the art reviewed. And speaking of lite - there was also a silly poem by Calvin Trillin who should try harder. Finally a novel crossword that seemed very tough.
Political comments throughout were sharp though often inconsequential in their emphasis on details and strategy over the actual impact of the issues under discussion. And there seldom was anything that would really touch most readers. There was a sense of preaching to a choir throughout , and a very insular choir at that.
Articles were hit and miss. Reviews were a waste of time, and extras were lite. Also I'd like to comment on a very confusing inside ad. The copy reads, "Nobody owns the Nation. Not GE. Not Disney. Not Murdoch or Time Warner. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of our own conscience"...etc. But the photo along side the ad, is a middle aged African American with a goofy look on his face and his baseball cap brim slanted to one side in a comical pose that seems to me to be downright insulting. What's the point of this slur? It's needless and offensive.
Contact Info: www.thenation.com
letters@thenation.com
Overall Grade:: 3.5 out of 10.0
Editor's Choice mini Reviews: Library tendencies to turn into video stores and homeless hangouts - overall grade: worrisome.
Review #29 4/04
Title: Russ Martin Show (4/19/04, 3:15-4:45)
What is it? Afternoon Radio Talk Show
Technical Quality: Average
Innovative Quality: below average - nothing groundbreaking
going on here. All very Howard Stern-ish.
Review: Likeable and sharp-witted curmudgeon Russ is
constantly upset and cranky in his afternoon talk show. It's
definitely not hi-brow humor when the first sentence of the show
is "My grunt turned Green" (due to calcium supplement.)
Other gripes included studio equipment not working, a concert
booking of a false "Frankie Goes to Hollywood" group,
his future Addison Bar etc.
Main other topics were a caller claiming billionaire Ross Perot saw Martin driving his 'Batmobile' and wants to take a ride, former porn star and ex girlfriend commenting on the new AIDS scare in the adult film industry, and Russ's take on the day's news.
Martin is extremely sharp but there's little to work with here except a background group that eggs him on and laughs at all his jokes (but contributes little else).
Also there is more than usual dead air time, and maybe this was just a slow day, but the show dragged, and it would be punishment to have to listen to a repeat - though on the plus side, I recognize that he's doing hours of what amounts to improv-ed stand up on a daily basis.
Add to this 22 minutes of really really
boring ads (that's 22 minutes out of 90 minutes of show) and you
get an off day at best. If he was a DJ and there had been great
songs in between the chatter or more life from his background
crew, it would have been a lot better.
Contact Info: russ@russmartin.com
http://russmartin.com
Overall Grade:: 3.3 out of 10.0
Editor's Choice mini Reviews: Excessive drug ads on all 3 evening news programs suggests a real conflict of interest in their journalistic integrity. Overall grade 0.5 out of 10.0
Review #30 4/04
Title: NBC Five , 6 PM Newscast, KXAS
What is it? Local Dallas News Program
Technical Quality: Average - with one "storm tracker'
lost in garble noise as he tried to report on storm
Innovative Quality: Low. Nothing new on this news show.
Review: An attractive group of newscasters report on 6 stories plus weather, sports, and a fluff end piece. Starts with a tornado warning, with a confusing 'star tracker' map and a garbled field report that added nothing. Second story was the best of the night. It was coverage of the Fort Hood welcome troops home celebration with a live report and film of the day's events. The rest of the stories were gore, violence, and police reports: Tuesday street racing crash, Desota murder investigation ups reward for capture of murderer, man find his own stolen car and police don't respond, and police trap behind church sign. Then more weather, a promo for the 10 PM newscast with a snake hunter, and lo carb advice, then sports that seemed spotty and finally a puff piece about a parade of 200 Mustang cars
What is telling is the overall lack of any
local news other than the Fort Hood celebration and the
preponderance of gore reports. This isn't local news its a police
report with gory photos. Are these newscasters into wrecks and
murder only? Where is any coverage of Dallas, its neighborhoods,
its local government, are culture, business , science, or
anything else of real worth to the city. Why this gore fetish
instead of real news? Overall the entire newscast is useless and
what's worse, somewhat disturbing.
Contact Info: KXAS TV, 817 654 6300
Overall Grade:: 2.1 out of 10.0
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