All Stories
Tim Curry’s devilish charm was irresistible
The seduction of sin was only theoretical to me until I fell for Tim Curry’s performance in “Legend.” That title may be unknown to many, although the British actor’s talent for prompting debauched thoughts in his audience surely is not.…
“Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma” withers in metaphor Hell
There comes a time in every English-speaker’s life when they learn the meaning of the French phrase “la petite mort,” an adage that, translated literally, means “the little death,” and typically refers to the sensation immediately following an orgasm. Given…
I was fired for resisting technology. It saved my career
I was not surprised by recent news that online classes have become swamped by artificial intelligence cheating, eroding academic integrity. From the second I heard about “asynchronous” studies, I thought of the word’s negative connotations: not happening or existing simultaneously,…
Say it, sister: “I had an abortion”
Given the national tension over abortion, and the targeting of clinics and doctors by antiabortion protesters and terrorists, it’s understandable that we don’t hear much from women who have actually had abortions. Even for those who are pro-choice, there can…
Dolly Parton’s TV specials showed her sparkle was universal
Funnily enough, when Dolly Parton made her debut on “The Porter Wagoner Show,” she wasn’t wearing any rhinestones. Faux jewels, sequins and shiny baubles were Parton’s signature once she became a household name. But in that 1967 episode, when she…
Dolly Parton, American hero and icon of inclusion, dies at 80
American icon Dolly Parton, whose career as a country singer, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist spanned six decades, has died at age 80. The news was first announced on Parton’s Instagram account by her nephew Brian Seaver. He did not…
Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli: “Writing songs is the greatest gift I could give myself”
Greg Dulli has a thing about cars. In his songs with the Afghan Whigs in the 1990s and with the Twilight Singers in the 2000s, the Cincinnati-born, New Orleans-based songwriter always has a ride waiting outside. “I’ll get the car,…
The Afghan Whigs’ Greg Dulli on keeping it “fun” after death of a beloved bandmate
Low-key kings of ’90s alt-rock, the Afghan Whigs have been on a tear since reuniting in 2011. The band’s two post-reformation albums — 2014’s “Do to the Beast” and “In Spades,” which arrived in May — seethe with R&B-saturated roars, distortion-fuzzed…
The internet is losing its third places
When you’re looking at a thread of social media bots sharing the same five replies to AI-generated slapfights between anthropomorphic fruits, it can be hard to remember the internet used to be a lively place. Enthusiastic message boards, blogs dedicated…
Afghan Whigs don’t sound like the ’90s anymore
Greg Dulli and his Afghan Whigs are back with “Soft Control.” The new Whigs record is a strong collection of material that stands solidly amongst the existing catalog of v2 Whigs albums, with big rockers, piano ballads, and tape loops…