Letters: What Do You Think?

by | Jul 26, 2012 | News

Don’t Let Verizon Edit Internet Think you have the right to speak freely via cellphones, websites and social media? Well, Verizon doesn’t. In fact, the telecom giant is now claiming that the First Amendment gives it the right to “edit” you and...

Strike Out

by | Jul 26, 2012 | News

Despite intense lobbying by opponents, the Massachusetts Legislature last week passed a controversial habitual offender bill known as the “three-strikes” law. Under the law, felons who’ve been convicted of at least three violent crimes, with at least...
CD Shorts

CD Shorts

by | Jul 26, 2012 | Music

Jesca HoopThe House That Jack Built(Bella Union) Ever since I first heard her, Jesca Hoop’s eccentric and slightly unhinged music has been in steady rotation on my stereo. In the same way that Kristin Hersh, Radiohead or Sinead O’Connor took me by surprise...
Behind the Beat: Novel Idea

Behind the Beat: Novel Idea

by | Jul 26, 2012 | Music

“I write all my songs initially on a beat-up classical guitar I picked up in Costa Rica on my honeymoon,” says Fiesta Brava’s Ray Keane (guitar, vocals). “[I start with ] a general outline of chords, followed by lyrics that are written...
Behind the Beat: Moderately Attractive Music

Behind the Beat: Moderately Attractive Music

by | Jul 26, 2012 | Music

When asked what audiences can expect at a show by Northampton band And The Kids, singer and guitarist Hannah Mohan replies with tongue planted firmly in cheek. “They can expect to see moderately attractive people playing moderately attractive music,” she...