Murder in a small town Damien Jurado is an accomplished artist who paints with broad, intimate strokes. Yet when the witness steps back, the realization sets in that Jurado is delicately painting a murder in the act. What is unsettling about this is that we, as witnesses, cannot peel our eyes away from...

By Sam Albertson Blip Begone!! The Books have done well to create a beautiful mess of folktronica that is absolutely their own. However, Lost and Safe has deviated by its gradual conform to simplicity. I appreciate The Books wanting to expand their musical dimensions, and it is ironic that they do so...

Around the summer of 2003, I was working as an overnight security guard at some office towers near downtown Portland. That summer was extremely formative for me. The 8 hours I spent awake while everyone else slept allowed me to read and write. I read Blue Like Jazz that summer at my security desk. I...