The Week in Mustaches

Some men look great with facial hair. Some men don't. Here is a look at what happened this week in pop culture in terms of the mystery fascination that is the mustache.

On Sunday night, two different shows presented viewers with two different characters who are in transitioning periods in their on-screen lives. One man is still struggling to come to terms with the loss of his unrequited love friend, which was not easy considering that both men often drove each other insane. The second man is attempting to move forward professionally and personally, but still would like to initiate a probably meaningless fuck with a new co-worker.

The one thing they have in common is that they sport mustaches.

Going for the Gold: Some Thoughts On Oscar Nominations (UPDATED)

We are now only a short time away until everyone gathers together around giant flat screens and root and jeer for some of the finest competitors, who have given their all into their performances. The men and women in these categories are the best of the best in their respective fields, and it's a shame that they must compete to determine who is the best of the best (of the best? Who is the best cubed?). The winners will see their lives changed instantly. The race for the gold is now in full swing.

You go multiple-colored snowboarding machine!

But enough about the Winter Olympics.

An artist's rendering of "the lord of all knickknacks."

EMPIRES is Back!

One of Chicago's finest rock bands returns with a new album and a tour. Their new single, "How Good Does It Feel", is now available to stream online. (The music video is posted below.)

Their new album, Orphan, is set to be released in February, followed by a tour, which begins in Indianapolis on February 20 and ends in Arkon, Ohio on March 8. From there, they are heading out to SXSW, which takes place March 7-16. They will perform two shows at Township on Friday, February 28 (with Basic Cable) and Saturday, March 1 (with Secret Colours). Tickets are available here.

Music Overlooked in 2013: Part 1

Music Overlooked: Since January is often empty when it comes to new music (and pop culture) releases, it's easy to check out what songs you many have missed in the previous year. This is a short series on the bands and songs that I did not heard about or get a chance to get out in 2013.

Secret Colours "Blackhole"



This Chicago group, which formed in 2010, describe themselves as "the bastard seed of 60s psychedelia and 90s Britpop bloodlines." The psychedelic vibes are present in their sophomore release, Peach, but they don't dominate enough to interfere with their performance.

The History of Apple Pie "Don't You Wanna Be Mine?"



Coming out of London, the history of this band began on Myspace, where they posted tracks to share with friends and prospective listeners. This is what shoegaze would sound like if it was a bit more cheerful.

Cub Sport "Paradise"



This summer-style jam is great for those who are enduring the aftermath of the record-breaking snowstorm and subsequent colder-than-the-Arctic wind chills. Oddly enough, the song was released in June 2013, when it's winter in Australia, which is where Cub Sport is from. (They hail from Brisbane.) It seems like they are in an eternal summer mindset, which works well for their breezy and slightly calm pop-rock.