Even after the sketch comedy gem The State was grounded prematurely (and where’s that DVD already?) it hasn’t stopped Michael Showalter or Ian Black from bounding into many more comedic projects in the ensuing years....

Normally we're wary of anything that hints of the pejorative chick-lit (or related single-twentysomething-hipster-trying-to- get-lucky-with-the-opposite-sex genre) as it's about as wispy-thin and over-played as emo haircuts. But Diane Vadino, whose debut novel is entitled Smart Girls Like Me, had credentials enough for us to take a closer look. Vadino was an original staff member of that magnetic bastion of literary cool, McSweeney's, who churn out more high-minded humor and literature than you could shake a......

Saturday night at Stubb's will likely be awfully warm (the forecast shows around 90 degrees), but it's worth braving the August heat for this strong of a bill. For reasons unknown to us, Rufus Wainwright and Neko Case are both playing at Stubb's, a venue that either performer could likely play on their own. Rufus Wainwright is the moody, theatrical brother in the musical Wainwright clan, which includes father Loudon Wainwright III, sister Martha,......

Justice † (Vice) You might have familiarized yourself with French dance duo Justice courtesy the remix of Simian's "Never Be Alone", and such an introduction wouldn't be a false start, though the album is a bit different. Justice, who have received (mostly justified) comparisons to Basement Jaxx and Daft Punk, seem to shine when given someone else's work to toy with, but seem less dynamic when working from their own toolbox. This album claims......

Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger (Lost Highway): We like Ryan Adams: he’s witty, annoying, moody, talented, and 100% rock star. It’s unfortunate, then, that his output is so often uneven. Like a poster child for iPod album editing, Adams throws a handful of gems on each album, then adds lots of C+ songs with gratuitous swearing and purposefully off-key vocals. Easy Tiger isn’t the complete return to glory that early press suggested, but it......

The Domain Crossing Shopping Center is opening tomorrow. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the mega pseudo-mall (disguised as a shopaholic’s theme park) is the new home to Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Tiffany and Co. – and dozens of stores already in Houston and Dallas. We could’ve waited till tomorrow to sniff out an impossible parking spot, and then dart through a gaggle of “You-wanna-sign-up-for-a-Macy’s-card?” ladies, but the people at Martin +......

Who among us hasn’t stood half-naked in front of a full-length mirror, knees bent, head back, one arm extended toward the heavens, the other windmilling furiously to the stomping rhythm of “Uptown Girl”? Okay, okay—maybe you’d pick something that actually has guitar in it, but that’s your hang up, not ours. Commie. Anyway, for those of us who dream of rock stardom, but don’t have the time or the inclination to learn an instrument,......

“We’re just trying to recreate things that have yet to be created.” Split Lip Rayfield Kirk Rundstrom: Guitar and Vocals Eric Mardis: Banjo and Vocals Jeff Eaton: Bass and Vocals Wayne Gottstine: Mandolin and Vocals In room 147 of the Austin Hotel, several packs of Marlboro "Cowboy Killer" Reds are strewn on the bed, alongside a brand new captain’s hat. Hanging out and watching a VH1 special on drugs and the 90's are Jeff......

Ben Kweller - Ben Kweller (ATO): Mr. ACL nosebleed's new disc is a strong rebound from 2004's sub-par On My Way. Despite Kweller's jangly, simple writing style, there is evidence of real maturity here, from the crisp Gil Norton production to the consistency of the material. There's nothing quite as catchy as "Wasted And Ready," but the album is a hook-filled, enjoyable indie-pop listen all the way through, and that's pretty rare these days.......

Perhaps you've heard that the comedy scenes in both LA and New York are excellent these days. You might have gotten a taste of this when Eugene Mirman and Aziz Ansari rolled through town in March for SXSW. If you've been wishing for an NYC weekend to catch a show or two, don't book that ticket just yet. Several of the best acts are heading right here for Austinites to watch this fall... Michael......

This being one of those quality-over-quantity weekends for bands and rocking and, y'know, that kind of thing, you won't really have to make any tough decisions. Friday night you got Sonic Youth w/Awesome Color at Stubb's. Thurston & Co. have aged so gracefully they just might be wheeled onto the stage encased in blocks of carbonite; they're like 50 years old! Nonetheless, if you've never seen Kim Gordon do her cheerleader dance, or heard......

End of an Ear is bringing Tuscon's experimental alt-country band Calexico into town for a special, free show at Emo's this Saturday. The group's latest album, Garden Ruin, came out in stores today. We've not yet heard it, but reviews we're encountered have been generally positive -- Hybrid Music calls it "an album of lush instrumentation and meaningful verses that begs for innumerable listens," and last week it made #1 on Dusted's Top 40 radio......

So, okay. Maybe you don’t have plans tonight. Or maybe you were thinking of spending a ridiculous sum of money on overpriced food, marked-up roses, and drugstore chocolates only to pass out from all the cheap champagne before you even get some. Well, we’ve got a better idea, and here it is: Laugh it off, man. Laugh it off. Tonight (through Saturday) the super-funny Doug Benson graces Austin’s own Cap City Comedy Club with......

"What's the deal with airline peanuts? My mother-in-law drives me crazy! Sure I drive a 1978 Celica, but chicks dig it? Why does sour cream have an expiration date? Why does my baby always know to take a stinky right when the game's starting? Just because (insert race of your choice here) are (insert stereotype here) doesn't mean my family is (repeat stereotype). My ex-girlfriend apparently used to be allergic to sex, but after......