A Long, Strange Literary Tradition
In the wake of Bob Weir’s death, a new book explores the Grateful Dead’s overlooked engagement with literary cultures: from the gothic tradition to the modernist movement and the Beat Generation.
Christian Kriticos
Freelance writer covering music, literature, TV, film and more
Based in London, UK
Get in touch: christian.kriticos (at) gmail (dot) com
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Greenland’s Biggest Band Is Thrust Into an Uneasy Spotlight
They've toured by dog sled and fallen through ice on video shoots. Now, as their country dominates global headlines, more curious listeners are discovering Greenlandic rock group Nanook.
The quiet dismantling of a major historical archive
For decades, researchers have used the archive to uncover stories on countless aspects of British history. But their work would no longer be possible today.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Christmas Movie
A handful of studies have noted that Psycho is technically a Christmas movie, taking place during the advent season. But none have examined what significance this has for the film’s meaning.
Isengard in Oxford: Tolkien’s satire of a motorized world
Tolkien is often at his funniest when filled with rage, and The Bovadium Fragments is a work brimming with his fury—specifically, ire over mankind’s obsession with motor vehicles.
Malcolm in the Middle: The Best Episodes Ever, Ranked
As Malcolm in the Middle returns for a new miniseries next year, here are the best episodes of the original show to help keep you occupied during the final countdown to the revival.
The incredible disappearance of Licorice McKechnie
At the height of her fame, Licorice McKechnie played everywhere from the Royal Albert Hall to Woodstock. But in 1990, she mysteriously disappeared. No one has heard from her since.
The forgotten knowledge trapped on floppy disks
When most people think of archives, they picture old bits of paper. But as the earliest digital generations start to donate their collections, more archivists are having to deal with materials trapped on floppy disks.
A conversation with Donovan
Donovan helped create the sound of the 1960s. But his spirit belongs to a more distant past. “People have said to me, ‘You feel you’re a minstrel from an ancient time.' And yes, I’ve always felt part of that tradition.”
Snap, crackle and pop music
Decades ago, singles by everyone from The Monkees to The Jackson 5 were printed on cereal boxes as cutout prizes. Now, a dedicated few are working to save these cardboard treasures from extinction.
Louis Sachar's fantasy novel for adults
If Sachar’s children’s novels give us answers, then The Magician of Tiger Castle leaves us with questions. Living today, in what we call an age of reason, can we truly say that magic doesn’t exist?
The Censorship of John and Yoko
John Lennon was always the most controversial Beatle. Now, 45 years after his death, Lennon is at the centre of new debate, as one of his most politically direct songs is edited out of an album reissue.
The Forgotten Ford
Before Han Solo and Indiana Jones, there was another Harrison Ford – star of silent cinema. Reconstructing his life through archival materials reveals a poignant reminder on the impermanence of fame.
John Mason: My 50 years as a pop lawyer
“I’ve made a career of only representing talent,” Mason explains, emphasising a unique closeness to his celebrity clients. “I don’t go for representing record companies that take advantage of artists.”
Has Chris O’Dell had the music industry’s wildest career?
She managed tours for Bob Dylan, delivered drugs for the Rolling Stones, and was at George Harrison’s house when the Beatles split. Now Chris O'Dell tells all in a new documentary.
A conversation with Counting Crows frontman Adam Duritz
After 30 years, Counting Crows are still going strong. "As long as we can play, we will," Duritz says. "I mean, who gets to spend a whole life playing rock’n’roll? It’s pretty rare.”
Paul Rappaport: my 30 years as a rock promoter
“I want people to understand how nuts it was,” Rappaport says of his motivation for finally writing his memoir. “The business back then was so wild and so wonderful. I didn’t want people to forget it.”
The strange story of William Shatner’s Star Trek comeback
A new short film uses digital face replacement to bring a young Captain Kirk back to life. It's a technology that brings us a bold step closer to making the world of Star Trek a reality.
The Poetic Origins of Middle-earth
In juvenile impatience, most fledgling fans are liable to skip the poems in The Lord of Rings. But the mature Tolkien reader understands that they are the heart of his work.
Inverlair Lodge: the secret refuge for rubbish spies
Inverlair Lodge inspired cult TV series The Prisoner and bestselling novel The Cooler. But the real secret agents who were held there were less James Bond and more Johnny English.
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