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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…

August 25, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

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…

August 25, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

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…

August 25, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

“It Ends” beat Hollywood at its own game to reach theaters

Preparing to set out on a long car journey, naivety tends to get the best of us. “Google Maps says it’ll take eight hours, but I’m pretty sure I can make it in six.” We plan, and God laughs. Pull…

August 24, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Are kids “guinea pigs for chatbots”? McMahon backs classroom AI use

Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the growing use of artificial intelligence in classrooms Sunday, even as she acknowledged there is little evidence yet showing how the technology affects student learning. During an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash, McMahon pointed to…

August 23, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Sean Duffy’s Great American Road Grift

At least once while watching “The Great American Road Trip,” I found myself wondering what the Founding Fathers would make of all this. It happened in the Philadelphia episode, after Transportation Secretary and “Real World: Boston” alumnus Sean Duffy herded…

August 23, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Even in loud movies, the power of silence is undeniable

It is bizarre to watch someone like Alan Ritchson follow in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin. That’s less of a stretch than it seems, I promise. Stick with me. In case you’re unfamiliar with Ritchson, he’s a muscles-on-muscles behemoth whose…

August 22, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

The best band you’re probably not listening to yet

If you’ve never heard of the band Black Marble, that should change, and today’s as good a day as any for that to happen, because their new album, “Life in Small Spaces,” was just released on Sacred Bones.  Since I…

August 21, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Columbia House closure sparks nostalgia for a bygone music scam

Even if you aren’t old enough to remember the heyday of Columbia House, you’re probably familiar with the scam at its center. The mail-order club would offer customers eight to 12 CDs, tapes, records — and, in later years, DVDs…

August 21, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0

Harry and Meghan’s UK return tests a press under fire

There can be many reasonable reactions to the surprising news that Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, along with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are returning to Britain. But when it comes to the Duke and Duchess of…

August 20, 2026 · by Friedrich Arndt · 0