Vol.1 Abroad: Our Editors on Carrie Brownstein, “Beautiful Darling,” and more

(A mostly weekly roundup of what Vol.1’s editors are writing elsewhere on the web.)

Within Darling’s diaries sits a line so loaded with raw intention for each of us that Rasin has opted for it to be a closing note of the film. “You must always be yourself no matter what the price,” writes Candy. “It is the highest form of morality.” As it turns out, it’s not an easy thing to genuinely be yourself.

Nick Curley on Beautiful Darling, at NY Press

Carrie Brownstein is now a celebrity. That means she is officially the #1 celebrity who I’d most like to hang out with. It used to be Bret Easton Ellis, then Stephen Malkmus, and finally Malcolm Gladwell. I stopped wanting to hang out with Easton Ellis after I realized he was probably a lot like the people in his books except (hopefully) less homicidal.

Jason Diamond on Carrie Brownstein, at Thought Catalog

So: Thao and Mirah. Both acclaimed solo artists, both in their own way idiosyncratic: the former for the ways in which eras of pop music are spliced below boldly delivered vocals; the latter for a collagist’s warmth to pop traditions and the occasional shifts into political theory. Along for the ride in the producer’s chair for this collaboration is Merril Garbus (of tUnE-yArDs). Hey, when you’ve already got two talented songwriters in the room, why not add a third?

Tobias Carroll on Thao & Mirah, at Dusted

Is it just me, or has the term “stoner rock” become completely redundant?  A few years ago, the term signified music made by bunrouts that were trying to out-Sabbath riff each other.  Now it’s a term applied to just about any over-produced piece of garbage made by people who think they have what it takes to be the next Josh Homme.

Jason Diamond on Natural Child, at Impose