Nov 19th, 2008 · Recorded at his home in Lyon, France with little more than an acoustic guitar and hand claps to accompany his vocals, Francois Virot's full-length debut, Yes or No, is indeed spare. But don't expect a typical singer-songwriter CD. Yes or No is lyrically rich, brimming with personality and charm, and produced with surprising layers of vocals and guitars that create a warm and vibrant sonic landscape.
Oct 27th, 2008 · Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim majority country, and it has become Southeast Asia's most vibrant and healthy democracy. That might sound incredible to those who remember Indonesia as a police state run by the dictator Suharto. And despite problems such as terrorist bombings and the tsunami four years ago, Indonesia is clearly at the head of the democratic class.
Sep 15th, 2008 · The late-period novels of Philip Roth — arguably, America's greatest living writer — have unflinchingly chronicled the perils of old age. But vibrant youth is at the center of Roth's newest work, making its hard truths all the more resonant — and crushing.
Aug 7th, 2008 · Our mobile society means Americans find themselves with fewer social ties and close confidantes, less help raising children and shallower roots. That decline of community is a challenge to traditional, vibrant religious practice.
Jul 2nd, 2008 · A chameleon from Madagascar lives a life that's pretty similar to an annual flower. They spend most of their lives in the form of eggs, and after they hatch, adults live just a few months and then die off — leaving more eggs to survive until the next hatching season.
Jun 26th, 2008 · London's "allotment" gardens are an unusual and vibrant system of community gardens across the entire city. Tended by immigrants, retirees, chefs and fans of fresh food, the allotments make up a kitchen community like no other.
Jun 12th, 2008 · Folk revivalists like Devendra Banhart and the Elephant Six bands have headed up a rebirth of '60s psychedelia in millennial indie rock. D.C.-based band Nethers crafts its own brand of stripped-down psychedelia, taking acoustic freak-folk and distilling it down to a minimalist sound that pairs feedback and white noise with vibrant indie pop. It's no surprise, then, that the band brought on Los Angeles producer Thom Monahan (Devendra Banhart, Dinosaur Jr., Silver Jews) to record its new album, What the Wind Will Never Say.
Jun 9th, 2008 · Anyone who thought Britpop died ten years ago was sorely mistaken. It is alive and kicking in Minneapolis, Minn. Following in the footsteps of UK darlings Blur and others, the rock group White Light Riot has a vibrant, energetic sound that thrives on chainsaw guitars and larger-than-life melodies.