The poetry world, however, still goes on, and it is no surprise that Jewel is on top of it. PC aside, all her fans are blinded by her physique and that extremely attractive face of hers, two things that made her famous. If you have any doubts, just go to any poetry reading and see which poets get the most attention, and figure out for yourself if poetry really matters there.
Anonymous
Via e-mail
Wilson envy
I just wondered if Mr. [Robert] Wilonsky maybe got his promo copy of the new Ringo Starr atrocity mixed up with Brian Wilson's Imagination [Out There, June 11]. I ask only because of the seemingly universal praise being heaped on the record by his media counterparts. Sure, there are a few exceptions, although even these rate the album mediocre and acknowledge some standout tracks--not unlistenable, as Mr. Wilonsky would have us believe in his oddly vicious attack.
In addition, the suggestion that perhaps Wilson was "overrated" to begin with should never have made its way past any editor's desk and into print in a legitimate publication. I would be interested to know what Mr. Wilonsky's background is--for example, is he a musician himself? The reason I ask is that one would be hard-pressed to find any legitimate popular-music artist who would not acknowledge a major debt to "Mr. Overrated." I'm sure Mr. Wilonsky's credentials are superior to, say, Sir Paul McCartney, who (among many others) has long acknowledged publicly the genius of Brian Wilson. Lastly, I find it hard to imagine (no pun intended) anyone with a pulse not being instantly grabbed by the chorus and brilliant changes contained in the first single, "Imagination."
Are we sure Mr. Wilonsky is still breathing? Many critics tend to be frustrated musicians, getting some strange form of enjoyment from criticizing what they wish they could do. Is this perhaps a case of Mr. Wilonsky suffering a bit of "Salieri" disease?
Anonymous
Via e-mail
Celt-schlock
I have to say I loved Christina Rees' review of The Killdares' Broken with a Word [Out Here, June 11]. I was flattered to read that we were capable of "swirling melancholy" and "pensive acoustic guitar" as well as an "electric ax onslaught." Fantastic! I would just like to make the following observations:
As far as I know, no member of the Killdares owns a Metallica record.
The "flat, forced drama" of our vocals deals with their unusual qualities of being clear, in tune, and sung with a bit of conviction.
The bombastic Stratocaster is prominently featured on "The Wounded Foot March," not the "purist twang" of the mandolin or acoustic guitar.
We are all well aware of the dangers of being trampled by a dwarf.
Anonymous
Dallas
Spoiler
Well, that was a first. Peter Rainer, in his review of The Truman Show ["Camera ready," June 4], gave away the ending--to Bulworth! If I had known that reading his review of Truman would ruin Bulworth, I would have waited until afterward to read the Truman Show review. Of course, we're not supposed to worry that a review of one new movie might ruin another for us. Maybe we should start anticipating that from now on--at least from Peter Rainer.
Anonymous
Via e-mail
Last great rock-and-roll band
I really enjoyed your review of the South Philly band Marah [Music listings, June 11], which recently played the Gypsy Tea Room. This band is one of the most incredible live bands I have seen and is absolutely the most refreshing rock-and-roll band to surface in years. They remind me, too, of early Replacements with a little splash of the boss. America should get ready, 'cause these guys are for real and they are the last great American rock-and-roll band!
Darin Murphy
Via e-mail
