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I’ve been a fan of Alison Krauss ever since I heard her breathtaking a Capella rendition of “Down To The River To Pray” in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. That song and 15 others make up this beautifully eclectic mess of music called “A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection”. The official press release from Rounder Records reads as follows.

“A Hundred Miles or More: A Collection” is comprised of 16 tracks, highlighting Alison Krauss’s career outside of her traditional releases with longtime band Union Station. The album features Krauss’s collaboration with John Waite on the single “Missing You,” as well as Krauss’s contributions to film soundtracks, including the Oscar-nominated songs “The Scarlet Tide” and “You Will Be My Ain True Love,” written for the motion picture “Cold Mountain,” and “Down to the River to Pray” from the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Known for her collaborations, Krauss also includes several duets in the collection such as the 2003 hit with Brad Paisley, “Whiskey Lullaby,” and her duet with James Taylor for the tribute album “Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers,” “How’s the World Treating You.” The collection debuts five new songs: “You’re Just a Country Boy,” “Jacob’s Dream,” “Simple Love,” “Lay Down Beside Me,” and “Away Down the River,” all of which feature Krauss as a producer.

Alison’s voice is as enchanting as ever with an ability to completely remove me from my head and exist in between the notes she sings. There are very few singers who have that ability and I sincerely hope she keeps making the music she wants to make and avoids the commercial pitfalls of overproduced studio albums. There are a few weak spots in the album but they are more than made up for by the rest of the songs. The sweetest surprise for me was the cover of “Baby Mine”. A little ditty you may remember from a truly heartbreaking scene in the Disney classic Dumbo. I didn’t think the song alone would be as moving but Alison’s voice is absolutely magical and takes you right back to the outside of the tiny circus car with bars on the windows where Dumbo’s mother comforts him in the darkness. Luckily for us, Alison’s voice carries much farther than Mrs. Jumbo’s.

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I have been a champion for television for as long as I can remember. I love the medium and I have been at the forefront of applauding shows that really push the boundaries and show what episodic entertainment can do. I have watched with wonder and even a little pride as shows like Twin Peaks, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural tell incredibly complex stories though fantasy and allegory. Stories that “mainstream” television can’t seem to tell as well. I don’t know what it is about genre shows that allows for more forward thinking but it’s a phenomenon that I’ll save for another column. Today I want to take a look at a few shows that are “on the bubble” (an industry term meaning that their future is uncertain).

First I want to say I’m not a big fan of the modern sitcom. To me no other half hour program has come close to matching the brilliance of Redd Foxx on Sanford and Son. That isn’t to say I can’t enjoy a sitcom, I just won’t care about it like I do hour long dramas. There have been exceptions to the rule, most notably That 70’s Show. This season brought the first sitcom in quite some time that had me engaged in the characters journeys and actually anticipating the next episode. The creators of The Class took a big risk with its odd premise. Ethan Haas (Jason Ritter) throws an impromptu party and invites as many members of his third grade class as he can find with the intention to propose to his girlfriend who he met in that class. The premise is a little stupid honestly. Who in the world would even come to that party? The answer is one of the most interestingly diverse casts I’ve seen on a sitcom is a number of years. The writing is witty and clever and the situations we find these cast members in are funny and awkward and most of the time completely void of the typical sitcom cliche’s. Its an amazing feat that I would not have thought possible. The first season ended a few weeks ago with a number of cliffhangers, some more contrived that others but all standard sitcom fare. Having a half hour comedy that I felt was something beyond the norm end so hackneyed rubbed me a little wrong. I had faith however that the writers of this show could pull out some interesting twists next season. I sincerely hope that show is given the chance to go to new places and not be dropped like so many other truly creative and intelligent shows.

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip was without a doubt the best, brightest, smartest surprise of this season. The show has an amazing with and intelligence you just don’t see on network television (except Gilmore Girls but I’ll touch on that in a minute). No other hour of television this season touched me as much as the Christmas episode of Studio 60. Without being heavy handed or overly melodramatic it managed to strike a chord about what Christmas really means to people. I’ve gone back and re watched that episode more than any other. It was a beautiful and moving piece of television and that kind of heart and impact should not be ignored and cast aside. Aaron Sorkin has proven his worth and fan reaction, while not showing in the ratings, has been overwhelmingly positive.

What in the hell is wrong with the CW? I know reality shows bring in ratings, are cheap to produce and make a bunch of money but why turn your network into “The Boob Channel”? I do, on occasion, watch America’s Next Top Model. I understand how hard these girls work and I see the reason behind capitalizing on that shows success with the Pussycat Dolls reality show. What I don’t see is canceling one of the best hour long dramas on television because girls dancing in their underwear gets strong ratings. Veronica Mars is in serious trouble and I don’t think her super sleuthing powers are going to help her in this instance. It stands to reason that if television networks were actually concerned about creating diverse and entertaining television they would make allowances for shows that are both critically praised and beloved by fans. Sadly while every network will tell you they want to make great television for the most part they are all content to only get behind those programs that make them a fortune no matter how horrible they are. If Veronica gets canceled it will be due to simple greed. Why have an intelligent show on that gets ok ratings when scantily clad girls filmed by college kids would sell far more advertising?

Which brings me to the biggest mess I’ve seen in television in a while. Before the WB and UPN merged into the CW, the creators of the WB’s much loved Gilmore Girls asked the unthinkable. They wanted to extend their contract beyond one year. Among actors this is a standard practice and the Palladinos felt as if they had earned the right to be guaranteed a spot on the roster. The network of course balked at the proposal and the Palladinos left the show in the hands of capable people. While the show has been decent this season the magic the Palladinos brought to it is gone. Why couldn’t they have the same length contracts as the shows stars? I have no idea. I don’t know how network execs decide anything. What I do know is the Gilmore’s lagging creativity isn’t what has it in danger, its the reluctance of series star Alexis Bledel to sign her contract. Because Alexis is stalling the other series star Lauren Graham is also holding out. What are they holding out for? I honestly have no idea but I hope its a return of the Palladinos.

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I found out this week who the real winner of Marvel’s big Civil War event actually was. It wasn’t Tony Start and the pro registration military industrial complex like we all thought it was. No sir, the real winner is the Black Panther. It seems like in the post Civil War environment T’Chall and his new bride Ororo are in every book. From the whimsical feel of Fantastic Four as they fly off in space, to the political intrigue and tense drama of Black Panthers own title to the overwritten excuse to have the sixteen billionth Wolverine/Sabertooth fight in this week’s Wolverine (though how T’Challa and his queen were in Wakanda and New York at the same time is mind boggling). That’s right folks, I took a chance and picked up the latest Wolverine and I promise I won’t do that again until someone I’ve heard of is back on the book. I’m a big fan of the Black Panther and of the non Halle Berry Storm but I felt their guest spot in Wolverine was superfluous at best. Luckily the interaction between Aunt Petunia’s favorite nephew and “T’Charlie” more than made up for it in FF. I’m looking forward to the new team taking on Silver Surfer and finding out why the giant disembodied head of Madeline Albright is stealing dead bodies.

52 this week slowed down the pace a bit. But in a good way. After three weeks of murder, mayhem and the destruction of a fictitious European country gears are shifted and we never see Black Adam (though we do “hear” him scream). Doc Magnus has become an incredibly interesting character. As the only member of the mad scientist guild who seems to not be completely crazy (or at least not evil) he is the ground wire that allows the other inhabitants of the island to run wild. I can’t wait to see what his mini Metal Men do. As for the REAL star of 52, Renee Montoya has headed back to Gotham just in time for her former lover Batwoman to once again be targeted by Intergang. I keep checking my local Barnes and Noble but they can’t seem to get me a copy of the Crime Bible. They said I can have a regular bible and the first season of Law and Order on DVD but I don’t think it would work the same. In other weird developments, we see Bruce and Tim in Nanda Parbat. Bruce is fighting something in a cave and Tim is eating soup with Wonder Woman who, out of costume, looks like 52 other female characters in the DCU. It took a few minutes to remember that she was with Bruce and Tim its been so long since we’ve seen them. Also, Animal Man is doing… uhhh….. stuff. I think it will make more sense later. Not enough Renee for me in this issue but I think that will be rectified next issue since her face is on the cover.

My pick of the week this week was not surprisingly Ultimate Spider-Man. People who know me know that I love Spider-Man, I love Bendis and I love Spider-Man. Yes I am aware that I said Spider-Man twice. I just really love him. In a totally non gay way. Ok, kind of gay. But I digress. The reason I love this book so much is the characterization of these kids. Mary Jane, Peter and now Kitty all act like teenagers. Something that is lacking in most books involving teens. Pete and MJ just survived an ordeal and now their romance is back on track. Only Peter never really managed to break up with Kitty. Now that she goes to their school it shouldn’t be awkward at all. There are teases galore in this issue. MJ might be getting powers (or dying, whatever), someone on the team is a traitor, Moon Knight is completely insane and Peter yells at Daredevil. My favorite exchange from the book was between Spidey and DD after Matt tells Peter about his plans to kill the Kingpin.

Peter: First of all- it wouldn’t do anything. Someone else would just be there to take his place.
Iron Fist: Not necessarily.
Peter: Of course there will be.
Daredevil: Not necessarily. They killed Hitler. And that was that for the third Reich.
Peter: But it eventually came back in the form of a little thing called Mtv.

I really like what Jodi Picoult is trying to do with Wonder Woman. It brings to mind some of the better “man out of time” Captain America stories. Diana has been seperated from the common man by her status as a near godlike being and because of that, simple things like using the subway and ordering at Starbucks are completely out of her wheelhouse. This would have been an incredibly interesting take on the character before Greg Rucka’s run on the book. Hell, if this had been where the book relaunched it would have made more sense. I’m one of those people who is furious with Heinburg for his lack of professionalism. I understand that this is “just comics” or whatever his excuse for lateness is but its still a business and lateness matters especially in a serialized story. I wonder how Fox would have handeled it if he came to them and said “I’m not finished with this episode of the OC. You can air it in about two months. Please, I am begging the industry as a whole. Stop hiring people who can’t deliver. I’m a HUGE Kevin Smith fan but I’ll be content if he never writes another comic. Sorry Jodi, you may be too late to make an impact. I’m pulling for you because I think this concept is very interesting. I just hope others will come along for the ride as well.

Other books I picked up this week.

Usagi Yojimbo #101 – This was my first issue of this and I will be buying it regularly from now on. I’ve heard good things for years but never bothered to read it before. Solid storytelling with a sense of fun.

Daredevil #95 – It’s too early to tell where Brubaker is taking us but as long as he’s driving I’ll be along for the ride.

Sensational Spider-Man #36 – Mr Hyde is turning homeless kids into Spider-Man. Dumb premise, surprisingly interesting story. The scenes with Reed Richards were easily the best thing in the book. I’m actually looking forward to how this turns out.

Elephantmen #8 – This book will be well served by a trade paperback. The stories are fragmented and at times hard to follow in single issues but reading a block of them makes up for it.

DMZ #17 – Every journalist in America should be made to read this book. It’ll teach them a few things about doing their job.

Silent War #3 – Pietro is going insane. It’s kind of fun to watch especially when the art is so pretty.

Ultimate Fantastic Four # 40 – Ultimate Diablo. Fun read. Not a lot else to say about it except the FF pretending to be carnies to blend in was all kinds of fun to see.

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I will be the first to admit, I enjoy crappy entertainment. I watch TV shows and movies that no one in my age bracket would ever admit to and talk about them openly with my friends and colleagues. I am an unapologetic fan of Avril Lavigne. I picked up her debut album “Let Go” after hearing the first single and I’ve been listening to her brand of bubblegum punk ever since. This morning I watched her latest video “Girlfriend” and even I, with my 14 year old girly taste in music couldn’t believe what I was hearing (or seeing for that matter). I don’t know how the decision was made to create this horrible piece of, and I use the term loosely, music was made but whoever masterminded this song should never be allowed in music again. The song itself is completely devoid of the charm and honesty that I saw in both her previous albums in songs like “Anything But Ordinary” and “My Happy Ending”. Those other two albums were written, if not by a strong maturing young woman, at least with them in mind. This new song and video strip away all the things I loved about the first two albums, and Avril herself, and leave us with another Britney Spears. Granted this one has better guitars but that’s not saying a whole lot.

Avril seems to be going backwards. She used to make songs about crushes and lost loves and now she’s moved into the trap a lot of young women sadly fall into. The song and video show once again how young women are portrayed in a lot of media. As vicious bitches who will stop at nothing to get the man they desire. There is a gang mentality, girl on girl violence and a general lack of anything even remotely resembling empowerment. It’s a shame really. Avril seemed to be offering so much more.

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I’m not too terribly familiar with Wilco. My only exposure to them is one song in an episode of Gilmore Girls but I liked it so I thought I would give their upcoming album a listen and see if a whole bunch of Wilco was as good as one tune on a soundtrack. The short answer is, kind of.

I can’t say I loved this album. Don’t get me wrong, there are some truly inspired pieces of music mixed in there. The problem is, they are smooshed inside some truly mediocre songs. The song “You Are My Face” was obviously inspired by Pink Floyd’s later works, but only in places. There are transitions that remind me of the better tracks off “The Division Bell” but for the most part the song is just kind of there. I don’t feel any emotion even though the lyrics are quite good. Sadly, this song is indicative of the bulk of the album. A lot of these songs would work well in a film or on the television show as a snippet of music. Several of the tracks, the aforementioned “You Are My Face” included feel broken due to awkward changes in tempo.

Wilco is heavily inspired by 70’s rock music. The Pink Floyd presence isn’t the only one that can be heard. There is a dose of Neal Young, Eric Clapton and Queen mixed in their sound as well. A lot of the lyrics seem like they could be blues songs especially “Hate It Here”, arguably the best song on the album and the one I’m most likely to listen to again.

If you’ve heard Wilco before and like their sound, I would suggest you check out Modest Mouse or Ben Folds for something a little better. Sky Blue Sky will be released May 15^th.

Popularity: -3% [?]