I agree—I know very little about the books, but the comics are easy enough to follow.

Wristbands
The Sonics at Emo's were pretty much a wristband-free zone (although I heard some wristbands did get in late in the set).

Their show was really simple—something needed to stand out, and it didn't really happen.

Unpaid, huh?
Did funding for this also go to Keith Phipp's solid-gold hat?

Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream

Spiritualized at Pitchfork
Was absolutely amazing. It was a transcendent performance.

I saw one of those the other day and was utterly baffled. What the hell is it supposed to signify?

A Tip of the Hat
I'm taking Kanye's side on this one (although I could do without the all-caps). I think he lays out a pretty good case, not least of which is:

Still buying it
I've enjoyed every Weezer album (including Make Believe, which is their weakest), and I'm looking forward to getting this one too. I have no problem with hooks and silly lyrics.

I second that one—great store!

On the Other Hand
Steve Hyden has been officially annoying ever since he wondered whether "cheering against success makes you an a-hole." At least Sufjan Stevens has some talent to console himself with.

Matt Damon
Matt Damon is one hell of a nice guy.

Matt Damon

Jean-Pierre Melville
Army of Shadows was amazing as well—it was just re-released theatrically in the past year.

Low pay for writers
It's definitely not a perfect system (that would be one where Onion A.V. Club interns are richly rewarded and Keith Phipps really can bathe in his doubloons). Believe me, I can sympathize about low pay for writers, as that's how I make my living as well.