May 04, 2016 by justin
in Book Review
Chris Bohjalian’s new novel, “The Guest Room,” tells the story of Richard and Kristin Chapman, a 40-year-old couple living a life to which others would aspire. Their lovely suburban New York home is well appointed and comfortable. She is a popular and respected teacher in the local high school, and
Read More →Joshua Sinclair “Love Hate” Independent The tagline on Joshua Sinclair’s promotional material reads, “Writing breakup songs since 1998.” It is a statement to be believed, because if you close your eyes and listen to “Love Hate” in a void, that is probably the year you would guess it was from.
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May 04, 2016 by justin
in Joe's Neighborhood
We’ve been doing a lot of sinning lately, don’t you think? Sure, most are lazy sins, like poisoning our water and hating immigrants and trying to take health care from women. It’s easy when there are no faces. The sins get a little more complicated when we are about to
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May 04, 2016 by justin
in Sound Circuit
Last year, Dan Tedesco released a self-titled album that featured songs recorded on an iPad from his home studio. Taking a decidedly new-tech approach to lo-fi music, the album was critically lauded and overwhelmingly received by fans. Tying in with the album, Tedesco made a music video for
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May 04, 2016 by justin
in Civic Skinny
Not much has been happening of late in Chris Godfrey’s lawsuit against Gov. Terry Branstad and five other state officials named in the retaliation, defamation, extortion and discrimination proceeding. But that doesn’t mean the state officials’ lawyers haven’t been busy — busy billing, at least. The LaMarca Law Group,
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May 04, 2016 by justin
in Film Review
I have never been the world’s biggest Key and Peele fan. The comedy duo of Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key are wildly popular on Comedy Central and in their YouTube clips, but, outside of a few specific gems, I have personally found their humor to be middling at
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May 04, 2016 by justin
in Food Dude
Cities are dynamic organisms. Empires have been built upon the ruins of previous empires in scores of places. In super young Des Moines, one can observe similar dynamics in the character of the food scene. Ace photographer Andy Lyons recently posted a shot on social media of a vinyl
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May 04, 2016 by justin
in The Sound
Queensryche has been through the ringer the past few years. After a very public and ugly parting of ways between the band and founding lead singer Geoff Tate, the hiring of new frontman Todd La Torre and a bizarre year-and-a-half period where Tate formed his own lineup that he
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May 04, 2016 by justin
in Locker Room
You’ve just shanked your 3-iron approach shot to the green, a wicked slice that sails two fairways right of where you should be. After picking up your club, which you boomeranged 40 yards through the air in disgust, you now commence the walk of shame and make your way
Read More →Paid for by taxpayers in… In Des Moines To be paid on 4/25/2016 Amount: $30,554.45 To: Capitol Center 2 LLC For: Monthly rent payment for office space at 400 E. Court Ave. for city offices Amount: $61.63 To: Hy-Vee For: Two dozen donuts, cookies, one fruit bowl, napkins,
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