There's something about atheism and rock and roll that just go hand in hand.

Maybe it's those lingering traces of 1950s suburban hysteria. Something about girls in short skirts and guys in leather jackets, somehow in sub-rosa cahoots with the Communists.

Whatever the antecedents, and despite pious legends like George Harrison and a recently Jehovah's Witnessified Prince, rock and roll usually remains something for which you sell your soul. And there's only one guy buying. [Read article]

Since film critics either really love or really hate "The Village," it will be very difficult for moviegoers to decide if they should spend their time and money to see it.

So, for those of you still undecided, here are four easy ways to determine whether or not you will enjoy seeing "The Village."

1) If you liked "The Sixth Sense" and were truly surprised by the end of the film, you will most likely enjoy "The Village." [Read article]

Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
4 out of 5 Stars

When the Fiery Furnaces released their debut record Gallowbird's Bark last September, everything seemed pretty straightforward. The brother/sister duo of Matt and Eleanor Fiedberger dropped a solid record of mostly blues-based rockers. Slightly "quirky" and "off-center," yes, but not really much to puzzle over.

Apparently the joke was on the listening public at large. Even as they embarked on tour with Ted Leo, the Fiery Furnaces already had what would become Blueberry Boat in the can. Far from being a record of simple rock and roll songs with loose thematic connections, Blueberry Boat makes explicit what Gallowbird's Bark only hinted at. [Read article]