by osmosis

Conquering the Useless
This phrase brings to the surface nothing but trouble. It becomes a floodlight onto the foundationless structure on which we perform our mental handstands. How could this be? How could the prospects of "pure life" somehow cause more salt to enter the wound of existence than say a job at […]

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Philosophy is often framed as an elitist and impractical endeavor. Does Hegel's notions of identity in difference matter when you're stuck in an office at 3:30pm on a Tuesday? Can anyone pick up and understand a philosophical text without formal training? I'd argue an unequivocal yes to both questions. In the words […]

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"very quiet now, we have found our frame."
 Delphinium's title acts as a pretty efficient synopsis, but we'll start there anyways.  The experimental short, written and directed by Matthew Mishory, focuses its lens on the childhood of artist and filmmaker Derek Jarman.  I have to admit that while recognizing Jarman's name in the lexicon of iconic […]

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Happy end of the decade!  I know the last thing people probably need is another end of the year list, but here's another end of the year list.  I decided to abandon the "top albums" distinction and go with a broader "top releases" label.  Let's be honest, the album format is a construct that the […]

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In the past I've done a book/song list where i pair up a book I'm currently enjoying with an appropriate song. This time around I think I'll just make a list of books on my mind at the moment.
Rising Up and Rising Down: Some Thoughts on Violence, Freedom and Urgent Means by William […]

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The discussion touching upon the dichotomy of Elvin Jones and Rashied Ali, who just passed away on August 12th, in the various Coltrane ensembles of the ‘60s doesn’t have a natural end. And in effect, the two were so stylistically removed from each other that the debate about whose playing better fit Coltrane’s is pretty […]

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The life of rappers, who at one time had to sell tapes outta trunks, has been irrevocably changed by the digitized America. That’s not a new and novel concept at this late date, but what is becoming more and clearer is that if you can do it on the internets, you can do it in […]

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All great art has it. You may not be able to grab hold of it, but you know when it's there. Whether it be a cross-cut in a film, a touch of yellow in a painting or a hanging note in a song, all great art carries with it a hidden x-factor that […]

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John Dwyer is a monster. In a good way. The amount of music that he’s had a hand in over the last decade is well beyond most other figures currently mucking about in the underground music world. From his work in Coachwhips to his relatively new ensemble Thee Oh Sees, Dwyer’s  adept amalgam of scuzz, […]

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I’ve never been to Sacramento. I’ve driven by it on my way to and from the Bay. Arnold lives there. And it’s hot. That’s all that I know. Bands like Mayyors, who are gaining a bit of attention for unknown reasons, call that city home. And Cake too, not that that matters. But Ganglians are […]

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